The problem with buying a Shelby Mustang is that even rough examples can be expensive. However, when you are talking about a 1969 GT350 Convertible presenting as nicely as our feature car, values easily climb into six-figure territory. That puts them beyond the reach of mere mortals, but you could have this car for a fraction of the price. This is because this is a well-executed GT350 Tribute, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting it listed here on Craigslist in Portland, Oregon. Forget phone-number prices, because you could drive this Convertible away for $49,995. However, this is a car that raises one significant question that deserves investigation.
The Shelby GT350 badge first appeared on a Mustang in 1965, and would remain a staple of the model range until 1970. These cars initially represented a successful collaboration between the Ford Motor Company and Shelby American. Carroll Shelby was the driving force behind the initial production run, although his relationship with Ford had soured by 1969, and the partnership would be terminated before the year’s end. This Flame Red 1969 Mustang Convertible has been given the Shelby cosmetic treatment, with its panels updated to those used on the genuine GT350. These include the side scoops, the integrated rear spoiler, the distinctive hood and nose, and the eye-catching sequential taillights. The car also wears the correct Gold stripes and a beautiful set of 15″ wheels. The presentation is first-rate, with no obvious cosmetic flaws or imperfections. It has avoided the rust issues that often plague First Generation Mustangs, with the trim and glass also looking excellent. However, this car throws us one potentially enormous curveball. The seller supplies a VIN in their listing, which indicates that this Mustang isn’t a 1969 model. It appears to confirm that it is a 1970 example, and that is a question worth raising with the seller.
Powering this Mustang is a 351ci V8, with the car also featuring a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The questions that this classic raises continue when we read the seller’s listing. He describes the 351 as a “Windsor,” which would be correct if it were a ’69 model. However, if the VIN is accurate, the Windsor had made way for the Cleveland variant in 1970. Regardless of which version it is, it should deliver between 290 and 300hp in factory form. Whatever the truth is in this case, the seller describes this Mustang as an exceptional driver. That indicates that it is a turnkey proposition with no known mechanical maladies.
The presentation of this Mustang’s interior is consistent with a high-end driver. The Black vinyl looks excellent, with no wear or stretching. The carpet is spotless, and the rest of the interior is free from UV damage and cracked plastic. The interior features an aftermarket radio/cassette player, with the builder adding what seems to be a reproduction Shelby roll bar.
While desirable and rare classics will invariably command attention and high sale prices, there is a place within the market for Tributes that have been completed to a high standard. This 1969 Ford Sheby Mustang GT350 Convertible demonstrates this, and although it isn’t the genuine article, it should still provide its new owner with the look and feel of the real deal at a far lower price. That raises the question of whether it is worth almost $50,000, which is a challenging one to answer. Perhaps an online search will provide clarity on the subject. The seller is a dealer, and they have listed this Mustang on their website. They quote an internet price of $42,950, proving why it is worth undertaking research before committing your funds to any classic purchase. There is also a question hanging over the VIN, raising the question regarding this Mustang’s production year. Are those thoughts enough for you to ignore this Mustang, or does the price look too tempting?
That hood really needs to get its ducts in a row.
With the economy slipping real ones are dropping currently.
This looks okay but clones are kind of waining these days.
The color and work performed looks good.
Good luck on sale !
Lol…In the mid 70s, probably ’74, I sold an E-code 57 T-bird at auction for $3200. The next car across the block was a like new 69 GT500 convertible in red. It sold for $2900. I was very tempted but had my heart set on a 69 Camaro RS/SS396, which I bought a few weeks later for $1900.
It looks good, even though the Shelby snake is very crooked.
I know it’s a tribute but something looks off about it. Maybe it’s cell phone photos but the proportions look odd. It begs the question though, where do you get reproduction parts like those and isn’t Shelby trademarked? Interesting car not sure it’s worth fifty thousand.
I thought the exact same thing. Maybe the proportions are skewed, but something doesn’t look quite right.
Actually, the 351W would be correct for a 1970 Shelby GT500, but that’s because the 1970 Shelbys were actually just unsold 1969 models that had black stripes added to the hood and a chin spoiler. Of course, without the stripes and spoiler, this one is clearly emulating a 1969 model. For whatever it is worth, building a 1969 Shelby tribute from a 1970 Mustang would be the same amount of work as building one from a 1969.
Probably just a typo on your part but the 351W would be correct for a 1970 Shelby GT350, not for a GT500.
The 351 W is the standard for a 1970 Shelby GT 350 not the 500
The provided VIN in the CL ad is not a correct Ford VIN. It could be some sort of state reissued VIN after a vehicle is reconstructed.
The shock towers have been removed from this car so it probably has some sort of R&P system installed.
The VIN in the as has ‘OR’ embedded, Salvage rebuild?
Cathouse:
Alleycat here. I’m with you on the shock tower elimination. This may have started out as someone’s wrecked fun car. What to do with the remains? AhHa! Shelby clone. ’nuff said.
351W and 351C were both available in the Mustang in 1970. IMHO a factory Mustang looks better than the Shelby offerings. $50k. VIN issues. Don’t really like the look. (Front grill/bumper/hood look terrible to me). Easy to pass on this one.
Looks terrible IYO ~ I’ve always thought the 69-70 Shelby Mustangs were the best looking of them all. Different strokes.
What’s it matter which engine it has? It’s a Mustang with Shelby-like cosmetics. Hopeful pricing.
The title here should read “Deceptional Driver”, not “Exceptional Driver” lol.
Man, in this hobby I hate the word clone and the word tribute even more.
Clone = fake. Tribute = fake. Clone + tribute still = fake. If this sort of thing blows your skirt up, well fine. These things are worth what they’re worth to the individual. I still don’t understand throwing this much work, parts, bodywork and paint into something that will never really be worth the sum of the effort, let alone anywhere near an original.
“Deceptional driver” ~ bwahahahahaha!! Lots of people build clones of many different vehicles. Any Chevy SS is an example. If someone wants to take a plain Jane car and turn it into a clone for their own personal enjoyment, I’m all in favor of it so long as they aren’t trying to sell it as the real deal. That having been said, I too hate the word “tribute”.
I agree that if it’s not misrepresented as the real deal, then a tribute car or whatever you want to call it is a semi affordable way of owning a car of your dreams. I would much rather pay less than half of what a genuine Shelby of this sort goes for and enjoy it instead of worrying about every pebble that hits it that will depreciate my investment. So what if it isn’t going to go up in value. The point is you can enjoy it without the penalty of the trailer queen/museum piece that’s locked up in the garage.
Think of all the Shelby Cobra kit cars/replicas/tributes/whatever you wanna call them that makes you happy. I certainly don’t have a million plus for a genuine Cobra so kit cars/replicas/tributes/whatever you wanna call them that makes you happy will fit the bill for the average Joe who wants to experience something close to the original.
Good catch about the VIN and shock towers, CATHOUSE. Would be interesting to see more of the front suspension set up.
When I looked at Hemmings (I know, maybe on the high side) but for ‘69 convertibles in similar shape they were asking $40k to mid $50k, and they varied a lot as far as stock versus modified. So this price for a person that always wanted a ‘69/‘70 Shelby Mustang GT350, may be a decent buy if you don’t focus on the small details. I for one do like these cars.
Just for reference I saw an ad for a car (assumed a real Shelby GT350) that was visually the same, red/yellow stripe, convertible, 351w/auto and it sold for $140k.
The tires appear to be staggered, bigger in the rear,which can throw off the design lines. This is why the purportions look out of whack. If the same size tires were used,I think it would look correct. Big money for a clone/tribute car, but you could drive this everyday if you wanted and not worry about deflating the price.
That could be the worst hood in the history of automobiles
That could be the worst hood in the history of automobiles
With that many ducts, I would be concerned with quacks in the fiberglass around them…
I love the hood, side scoops, and grille on the Shelby GTs.