OK, most of us know what a Shelby Mustang is. It’s in Ford’s current line-up but I’m talking about the original, or first-gen, 1965-1970 version. Watch any televised auction and you can see the nutso values at which they trade hands. Young as I was, I remember when the 1968 version was introduced and I thought that was just about the coolest car in the world – especially with the built-in rollbar. Today we’re trending towards a “Tony Branda” 1968 Shelby Mustang that’s wearing a GT500 KR rocker panel decal. So what in the Sam Hill is a Tony Branda Shelby? Search me fish, let’s dig in and see if we can figure it out. This Mustang is located in Mentor, Ohio and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $67,000.
Other than the Mustang GT wheels, this Ford does look like the real Shelby thing. But if I have interpreted it properly, this is a ’68 Mustang fastback that has been built into a look-a-like Shelby Mustang with the employment of Tony Branda conversion parts. If you scroll through the parts list you can see that most, or maybe all, of the fiberglass body components are available to turn a plebian Mustang into something a bit more exalted. The seller says virtually nothing about this car except, “Is this car has never been rusty…. ” which I translate into “no rust”. All in all, the conversion appears to have been well executed.
Where things fall apart is under the hood as this example, which is labeled as a “King of the Road” GT500 is running a 390 CI V8 as opposed to the Shelby’s 335 gross HP 428 Cobra-Jet prime mover. The engine is dressed to look like a 428 Shelby Cobra-Jet motor but I imagine it falls pretty short of emulating a true Shelby’s performance capabilities. It does employ a four-speed manual transmission so that’s a plus. As to how it runs, mum’s the word.
The interior images aren’t too visually informative but it looks more Mustang, especially with that knobster steering wheel, than it does an official Shelby version. The shifter that is installed fas a T-Handle so one would assume it’s a Hurst unit but there is what looks like a standard Ford piece laying across the console. The interior, and by that I mean the upholstery, carpet, dash, panels, etc. all appear to be in nice shape but wow, that color….?
So, what do you think, how do you feel about clones, tributes, fakes, etc.? I’m fine with them provided that they are marketed as such and not promoted to be something other than what they are. They also need to be priced accordingly and at $67K, I’m on the fence with that valuation. Oh, and if you’re interested in this Mustang, you better be sincere because the seller warns, “Serious inquiries only or I will block you…..” Insights anyone?
Looks like it was built from a “67 from that gawd awful steering wheel and console.
Right! No side marker lights either.
JO
I had a 67 K code. the horn section comes right off with a twist.
Awful steering wheel? Have you taken a look at the 68’s? LOL
Tony Brada has a shop in Altoona Pennsylvania. He has been selling Shelby parts for over 30 years. This is a recreation that someone probably paid his shop to put together . They did quite a few of them . It is not to be thought of as a real Shelby built car. It is a copy .
Steering wheel and console (without guages) are not comparative to the ’68
Shelby KR in addition to the 390 FE engine in it. Still a nice Stang.
I’m more interested in the ’67/’68 cougar next to it.
DaveK, I was thinking the same thing. I had a 69 XR7 but Michigan was hard on all vehicles back in the day.
I’m interested in looking at that 67 I live in Westlake
Two words come to mind Big Deal. Another mustang clone so what.
Off-Branda
not sure about you experts and pro guys but I know this little car guy would love nothing more then to spend 67K on a 30K car.. I mean one look at me you can tell that this kind of savvy financial planning has served me well in life..
this may be better then Bitcoin! lol
No, because unlike Bitcoin, this car is still actually worth something.
hahahhahahah I often wonder what happens to the crypto sector when the walls come crashing down on the inflated stock market and housing market… I would rather have this imperfect clone myself.
She may not be real, but she still looks nice. But just like classy women, she’s also too expensive.
Too expensive? Have you priced just a 67-68 fastback with a 390 lately? Don’t get asking price confused with selling price either. Betcha there’s a decent amount of wiggle room on this one.
I’m thinking you could easiy sell the clone parts off this one if you didn’t want to go that route, and be in decent money for this. It may also attract someone who wants to take it the rest of the way apperance wise. With the right accessories, 99.8 of people can’t tell a 390 from a 428SCJ. There is a good market for clones.
Just my 2c.
You are right JohnfromSC. I have seen many clones that look better than the original. Besides you can drive them around and not have to worry about them being damaged as much or stolen. I have also seen some of them go for more than originals.
I’m with Jim and all you posters, I’m fine with clones as long as they are presented as such. This does look like a nice car and a 1967 Mustang Fastback, in good condition, brings big dollars… maybe not this much. I actually like the colors, it is very period-correct.
Given it is a relatively high-dollar car, what bugs me is the marketing and presentation. Facebook Marketplace, no description, lousy pictures, mismatched wheels. Visualize how much more money the car might bring with high-quality pictures taken in an attractive setting with a thorough description.
Precisely. Spend some time getting every little bit sorted out, detail it, then take a plethora of high quality photos and videos and put it on flea bay, BAT, here or any online forum. The exact opposite presentation as this.They’d get what they’re asking if it’s nice and solid and well executed. Otherwise, they’ll probably never get what they’re asking and they’re limited to local buyers. Some people are just lazy or don’t have time.
I love the guy’s that make comments about how much a car is worth when all they have to do is look at what they’re selling for. By their logic, my house that I paid $100k for ten years ago and would sell for over $200 in today’s market, is still only worth $100.
Regular Fastback 390 /4 speed =$50k all day ,maybe more.
Add the Shelby bits ,which 90 % of the public agrees,improves the looks of these ,add another $15k.Or, “invest” another $20-25k to further upgrade to an Eleanor,which is a $125,000 car plus (regardless of anyones opinion )
Car is priced at market value.
Posted 5 weeks ago.
Only worth what someone is willing to pay. For all the over restored jewels today, hardly anyone ever drives them. Why? Probably because the owners are afraid of drug addicts driving beaters with no insurance that could plow into their trailer queen. That’s why I moved to the mountains away from the idiots in the Philadelphia suburbs driving 90 mph 24 7 with a phone glued to their face with a coffee in the other hand. I can now enjoy my 50 year old car and DRIVE it.
You’re a lucky man, I envy you! I stupidly live in the burbs, just outside the city. It’s gotten insane out there. I’m starting to wondering if autonomous cars ARE a good idea. I’m assuming they’ll at least be programmed to obey the speed limit and not tailgate. Then they can sit back with their phone and coffee while the rest of us can peacefully enjoy the ride.
I’d love to buy a bunch of land with no neighbors or at least one’s I can’t hear from my own house. Unfortunately, property value’s are insane now as well : (
Looks like the guy has unlimited funds judging by the cars in his stable. I’d guess you pay his price or you don’t get the car
I’m always curious why someone would turn in such pitiful pictures of a vehicle with significant value. Then add to that, putting it on FB Marketplace. That is where garage sale stuff is sold. WTF??? What are they trying to hide???
Why a Marti report is so critical when buying a “Shelby”.
Paying an expert is usually worth the money. A buddy was buying a “68 427 x3 2bbl vette and found almost all rare parts were replaced or reproduction. When the St. louis plant burned way more ’66-68 are available than were ever built. Vettes are twice as bad as Shelby/mach 1/Twister Special/CS/High Country Specials, etc…
I honestly like it. But having said that. I just told my family the other day , I saw a yellow 66 coupe on the road this week , bone stock , plain Jane , and less than perfect. I loved it , very refreshing to see a “normal” original mustang that so many of us grew up in not being transformed in to something else and that you could drive every where every day . Honestly miss those
Way back in 1975 I had a ’55 T-Bird for sale in Chicago, asking $1955 of course … a Latino guy with a ’68 Shelby with fur on the steering wheel and a pair of dice ganging from the mirror came by and wanted to swap even … my (ex)wife said she didn’t want an “eff-ing” Mustang, and that was that … last time I listened to a woman about a car …
Haha. Yup. If we knew then ….
Why do people dump on the 390 engine, they were easy to get gobs more horsepower from and very reliable
So if you call him out on the BS , he will block you.
Below may be the only old tv show/movie that features a ’60s shelby mustang.
Same color as the one above, tho no top stripes – must have been optional. Jump to 1 hr & 5 min & 50 sec in …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybfAxaMDITk
Good movie & later tv show.