We see plenty of desirable classics at Barn Finds, and this 1970 Ford Shelby GT500 fits that mold. However, it also has an interesting backstory, having spent much of its life on foreign shores. It has returned home as a beautifully preserved survivor with a genuine 30,000 miles on the clock. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Shelby listed here on eBay in Jonesborough, Tennessee. The seller set their price at $175,000 with the option to make an offer.

The story of this GT500 is fascinating and would undoubtedly be a great conversation starter at any show or Cars & Coffee. Rolling of the Dearborn production line in June 1969, the car was dispatched to a dealer in Watchung, New Jersey. From there, it was purchased by a Saudi Arabian Prince and was shipped to his home country. It remained his prized possession until it was spotted in the 1990s by an American gentleman working in Saudi Arabia. He negotiated its purchase and shipped the Shelby back to North America when he completed his work in the Middle East. This isn’t a tall tale, because the GT500’s entire history is supported by extensive documentation that dates back to Day One. Some of the paperwork is in Arabic and will require translation. However, doing so would be worth the effort to provide complete clarity. The originality of this Shelby and its overall condition suggest that it spent its downtime protected from harsh UV rays. The Gulfstream Aqua paint possesses a beautiful depth of color and shine, and the distinctive stripes are free from checking. The GT500 is rust-free, and the trim looks exceptional. It retains all of its distinctive Shelby features, including the unique grille, taillights, and alloy wheels.

Powering this Shelby is Ford’s magnificent 428 Cobra Jet V8, producing a factory-quoted 335hp and 440 ft/lbs of torque. The first owner’s decision to order the car with a three-speed C6 automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes should provide an effortless driving experience. Although not expressly stated, the indications are that this GT500 is a numbers-matching survivor. I do not doubt that with the extensive documentation, verifying the mileage claim should be a piece of cake. Potential buyers can consider this Shelby a turnkey proposition, with no mechanical issues mentioned in the listing.

The Prince focused on comfort when ordering this GT500. He selected air conditioning, a tilt-away wheel, a Sport deck rear seat, Deluxe belts, a tachometer and trip meter, and an AM radio/8-track player as factory options. When combined with White Clarion Knit vinyl, that is a classy combination. The interior condition is as impressive as the exterior. The vinyl is free from significant stains and wear, and there is no evidence that the Saudi Arabian sun has impacted the dashpad or plastic. It appears that apart from the wheel wrap, there are no aftermarket additions.

It is debatable whether its history adds to the inherent value of this 1970 Ford Shelby GT500. However, it has allowed the car to remain beautifully preserved, and you will struggle to find one of these classics on the market today with such a low odometer reading and extensive documentation dating back to Day One. The BIN figure, while hardly chicken feed, is realistic for a car of this caliber. The listing statistics suggest that people like what they see, but do you believe that the interest will translate into sales success?