It seems convertibles get a bad rap as being less desirable than their fixed-roof counterparts. There are advantages to either type of top, but this 1969 Shelby GT500 convertible may be one of those preferred convertible outliers. I found it here as part of Broad Arrow Auction’s Amelia Auction. Lot 117 will be auctioned on March 3, 2022 with an estimated hammer price of $160,000-$180,000.
The 1969 model year represented the end of the line for the Shelby series Mustangs. These cars were now being built in Dearborn but production ended abruptly mid-year, leaving just 244 GT500 convertibles built. While obviously it’s built from the bones of a Mustang, numerous exterior modifications signal Carrol Shelby’s touch being present on the GT500 – notably the elongated front clip with wide mouth grille, the unmistakable rear header panel with sequential Thunderbird taillights, and – on the convertible, anyway – the mid-cockpit rollbar.
This GT500 is finished in, what I believe is, the most era and Mustang-specific proper color – Black Jade. The deep green serves as a nice contrasting backdrop for the white GT500 side stripe. Much of the factory finish is in place, save for the hood which received a repaint some time ago. The center exit dual exhaust is uniquely Shelby and offers good visual balance with the rest of the rear. There aren’t any photos with the top-up, but the description tells us it is white – and original.
Matching that white side stripe and the top is original white upholstery. The contrasting black carpet and dash with woodgrain accents lend a bit of a luxury feel for those inside. There’s a full-length center console with an automatic shifter, also housing oil pressure and alternator gauges.
Completing that Shelby-touch is a 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet engine. Some internal modifications left that set-up rated at 335HP and 440 lb-ft of torque. Many say it was considerably underrated as it would launch you to 60MPH in about 6 seconds. This example is equipped with the optional C-6 automatic transmission and has the 3.50 Traction-Lok rear axle. The 5-digit odometer appears to have not rolled over, showing just 18,338 miles
The auction house describes this as a “very original, well-preserved example.” I can’t disagree as they further describe it as “undoubtedly one of the best examples extant.” In my last write-up I said “I don’t often say this,” but I’m saying it again – the auction estimate feels light for all this car brings to the table.
From what I remember, the roll bar on the convertibles is purely cosmetic, the fastback roll bars are functional to some extent, as they are secured to the original shoulder harness mounting locations in the roof rails, and along the inner structure below the side window area. The fastbacks also used a shoulder harness attached to the roll bar, so it’s likely they had to pass some harness mounting standards one would think. Without any down tubes to the wheelhouse or any other location they wouldn’t hold up that well in a rollover, but likely would be better than nothing. So in my opinion, they are cosmetic and serve no real protection other than the shoulder harness mounting on the fastbacks. They still look cool though!!!
What a beauty!! With the right drinks it could go even higher.
1970 was the last year for the Shelby Mustang although they were 69 cars, either way it’s a super nice car and would love to have it but no money!!
Great for straight line stop light racing with rice rockets, but for me, with that slushbox, more of a show pony than a go pony.
Still a unicorn.
just saying so 1970 was the last year for a mustang Shelby back then, all of the 1970 Shelby’s were left over from 1969, I had a 69 GT500 fastback and it was fun for sure it’s just to bad that they are not a car that the average guy can afford any more as so many other makes and models, most of these just sit in a garage this is a nice car and I would love to have it, maybe one day
I had a 70 fastback that I put a factory rollbar in. Gratiot Auto Supply sold them along with other Shelby Mustang items along with GT wheels. The roll bar only attached at the floor, so it was pretty much just for looks. Gratiot Auto Supply was a great place!!