Got a Cobra or Shelby Mustang in the garage? You might want to think about adding this rare bit of automobilia to that fire breather on wheels. Here on eBay is an original Shelby Cobra GT 350/500 parts book complete with price lists (those are going to cause some agony!) The bidding has reached $336 and the item ships from Glendale, Arizona. The seller indicates that the book is from the estate of a Shelby collector, and it represents a broad-ranging anthology of Cobra and Mustang material. Given its age and likely frequency of use, the book is in surprisingly good condition, with minor smudges, a few ink notations, and creasing.

The photo above is the first of five pages of pre-delivery service procedures. Several pages are dedicated to price lists; ten pages dated 1968 comprise a list of parts for the Mustang GT 350/500. Factory letters discuss parts, a tail light conversion, and other topics.

Interior and exterior schematics covering assembly, emblem placement, engine parts, air conditioning, the oil cooler, and the exhaust system amount to at least thirty pages. Catalogs of dealers are scattered throughout the book. Here is a description of GT 350/500 specifications including transmission and axle ratios  – a mother lode for restorers. The description of an optional heavy-duty close-ratio gearbox is listed – understanding these high-value options is crucial if you are a GT buyer, owner, or appraiser.

The best portions of the book describe engines and competition equipment. Twelve pages are dedicated to the 1966-1967 Shelby American Performance Equipment catalog. Another twenty-four pages list – among other items – Cobra and GT 350 performance parts. Not only would this book be a great reference manual, but it also offers plenty of entertainment value perusing the possibilities offered back in the day. It’s difficult to judge every bit of automobilia since some pieces – like this Shelby book – are so idiosyncratic. But generally, the higher the price of the underlying car, the more expensive will be its associated ephemera. The book’s current bid price is on the low side given its condition and the subject matter. I would think this item could crack the $500 barrier, but we shall see!