1969 Shelby GT500

1969 was, effectively, the final year for the Shelby Mustang. By now assembly had shifted to Michigan from California where it was contracted out to the A.O.Smith Corporation. Smith, an established Motor City contractor, had brought a level of serious manufacturing skill, supplier management, procedure, and standards never seen at Shelby"s facility where LAX met the vibrant (and sometimes extreme) subculture of Venice, California.

The 1969 Shelby Mustang was drastically different visually from the standard Mustangs, with a completely different nose and grille, a wide rectangular opening with blacked out grille flanked by 7” headlights and with Shelby"s characteristic driving lights now smaller rectangular pieces below the attractive bumper. The special Shelby bonnet had five ducts, three NACA-style surface ducts to supply cold air directly to the engine air intake and two extractors at the back of the bonnet relieving under-bonnet pressure and exhausting heated air in front of the windscreen.

One of only 30 produced in Pastel Grey with black vinyl bucket seats, this 1969 (08/01/69) Shelby GT500 Fastback was purchased brand new at Hickey Ford in Troy, NY in May of 1969 and was purchased by our vendor two years ago and shipped to the UK straight out of the 'Rick Hendrick Collection', one of the USA's largest 'muscle car' collections, where it was the subject of a nut and bolt restoration. Prior to that, it had been owned by a local 'Mustang Club of America' owner for six years (2007-2013).

The underneath of this car is amazing having undergone a complete MCA rotisserie restoration and looks as it did when it left the factory (other than the high-performance clear underseal needed to help protect it in the UK). The car is a fully documented Shelby in original specification with two original Build Sheets and the Deluxe Marti report which confirms its in 100% original specification (although the award of an MCA Gold pretty well confirms that too). The entire drivetrain was rebuilt to factory specifications during the restoration and drives nicely. The original, matching numbers, R Code 428 Ram Air V8 (fully rebuilt c2013) is backed by a 4-speed transmission and 3.50 Traction-Lok differential. As you might expect from a multi-Concours winner, the car is in exceptional condition and our vendor describes the coachwork, paintwork, and interior all as “Excellent-unmarked”. It sits on Radials which significantly improve traction but a set of original Cross-Ply Goodyear Eagle GTs will be supplied for accuracy during Concours de Elegance.

The history file also confirms that this ultra rare, 4-speed manual, Shelby was judged and won its Mustang Club of America Gold Award held at the Disney World 2013 MCA Nationals after the Hendrick's restoration.

This is the 'Holy Grail' of 1969 Shelbys with all the pedigree, straight out of a blue chip collection, including the two original Build Sheets, 2013 MCA Gold national judging, original matching numbers engine, rare 4-speed transmission and Marti Report. Imported to the UK in 2015 the car is on an age appropriate plate, has been used sparingly, and always been dry stored since its restoration. It was serviced at the start of the summer, a new voltage regulator fitted, and the alternator and carburettor rebuilt, so is now ready to put a smile on the face of any new owner wishing to test the estimated 370bhp (in stock form) flowing through the 3.5:1 Traction-Lok Diff to the rear wheels. The only concession to modern day technology has been the installation of a, well hidden, Thatcham Cat 1 alarm immobiliser.

If you are in the market for a late-sixties Shelby 500, we don't know where you would look to find a better one.