Great colors and a gently-aged appearance are two ideal qualities in an un-restored muscle car, and this 1969 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 is perfect example. Fitted with the preferred manual transmission and said to be a complete car, this GT350 does not have a numbers-matching engine, and the original is not included in pieces or otherwise. The color combo of Acapulco Blue and white vinyl still looks sharp even today, and it doesn’t appear to have any rust. Find the Mustang here on eBay with an asking price of $72,995.
While I find the fastback body to be one of the less attractive designs for a Mustang (flame suit activated!), it looks quite tidy here, especially with the Shelby-specific taillights. The body sports uneven levels of paint fade from front to rear, almost as if the back half of the car was sitting out in the sun. I suspect that the rear quarters have been repainted at some point, as they can be a hot-spot for rust – but, full disclaimer, that is a pure armchair quarterback opinion. It could be weird lighting in the showroom, for all I know.
The interior looks quite tidy, no small feat considering the propensity white interiors tend to end up looking soiled. The seller notes the Mustang is equipped with a “Hurst Competition Plus” shifter, which certainly looks imposing as it juts out from the dash. The dash features attractive wood inlays, as door the door panels. The steering wheel is a tilt wheel with ‘Rim-blow’ option, and an aftermarket radio has been fitted. Trunk photos show a clean trunk mat and factory spare tire.
The engine bay looks quite clean, especially the air cleaner which retains bright blue paint. It’s a shame this isn’t the original engine, and while the listing notes it as being the correct “series” for the car, I don’t think that’s quite the same as finding a correctly date-coded 351 Windsor, which would help soften the blow of losing the numbers-matching unit. Do you think this Shelby is worth $73K without its original engine?
“Do you think this Shelby is worth $73K without its original engine?”
Absolutely not.
No were down to a 40-48 k car in my opinion at best with NOM ….
Four speed helps as well as color ..
A 350 with NOM is not bringing 73k.
It may not be worth the asking price, but I think the 69170’s are the best looking Shelby’s. The 4spd is a plus.
Steve R
351 Windsor? Not Cleveland?
I believe the Cleveland only became available mid 70 ?
1969 was the year of the Windsors. Even a 1970 (which was truly a 1969) was a ‘W’.
Repaint is correct, at least both front fenders. The attaching bolts were not painted at the factory. The entire painted front end arrived overhead on the assembly line and was dropped onto and bolted to the body.
The incorrect engine should equal a lower value.
All this aside, the design of this car looks good, even after 50 years.
I would think that NOM hurts the value considerably.
As Classic Steel said, “4 speed helps”…
Car is being sold from Autobarn, that pretty much tells you that the car is over inflated.
We see this here every day!!! The X33 Z28 with no motor and no transmission that was 15 large!!! If none of the original drive train is there your paying for a vin tag!! This will never be an original Shelby again!! Great car looks great too!! But in my opinion it’s not a true Shelby without the Shelby motor in it any more!!!
Your view is in the minority. Even though the original engine is gone, which was very common for musclecars, it can be verified as a Shelby. The same goes for the Z28 from the other day. Smart buyers will factor that into the price they are willing to pay. It’s the uneducated and impatient that tend to overpay for rusty wrecks. When they don’t act, the cars will sit and will often be sold at a substantial discount from the asking price. People tend to forget that a high asking price does not mean there will be a high selling price.
Steve R
I hear what your saying and there’s a 63 split window corvette in the same unoriginal category!! For that car everyone says that it’s not as valuable because it’s been changed!! The X33 Z28 was a 4 speed with a 302!! Granted it’s got a 427 now which I’d rather have but it’s not a factor Z28 anymore! This is also the same argument people make about leaving there car with “patina!” It’s only original once!! I hate patina and would rather see a repainted car! However some people frown on a repaint!! In my opinion it’s such a grey area!!
I don’t think i ever seen a ’69-70 [blue] shelby with a blue interior, but have seen Mach 1’s – maybe because the woodgrain sort of clashes with the lite blue here in this mach 1? …
http://mustangattitude.com/mustang/1969/1969_00029_05.jpg
I do not know if it is your photograph, but that blue is slightly lighter than the light interior blue with wood, in my 70 Mach 1.
In mine the clash is not as prominent. Mine also has the Acapulco Blue exterior.