It would probably be fair to say that during his lifetime, Carroll Shelby forgot more about high-performance Fords than most enthusiasts will ever know. He was driven by the desire to extract the maximum from any car that came under his influence, and the Shelby Mustang stands as a testament to his devotion to his craft. This 1969 Shelby GT350 is stunning, and many enthusiasts would proudly slip behind its wheel for a spot of classic motoring. However, it has undergone a few changes, and it will be interesting to gauge reader feedback. It needs a new home, with the owner listing it for sale here on eBay. While bidding has raced to $68,850 off the back of intense action, that figure falls short of the reserve.
The seller supplies some excellent photos of this GT350, providing a positive first impression. The underside shots reveal this as a rust-free classic, although the undercoat appears to be a relatively recent addition. The exterior presents superbly, with the distinctive Shelby additions and features intact and in excellent condition. The car rolls on its original wheels, and the overall impression is that this classic needs nothing when it comes to the subject of panel or rust repairs. I haven’t touched upon the topic of paint, and it could divide opinions. The Shelby looks stunning in Black with Gold stripes. It appears flawless, with a depth of color and shine that you could sink into. However, that Black is not what this GT350 wore when it rolled off the showroom floor. The included Marti Report indicates that it started life resplendent in a shade called Pastel Gray. I’m willing to admit that Pastel Gray doesn’t pack the same visual impact as Black, but on a car of this caliber, I firmly believe that originality is vital if an owner wishes to maximize the investment potential. Returning the panels to their original color is possible, but the cost of such an exercise is unlikely to be cheap. It will be interesting to gauge reader feedback on that aspect of this classic.
Lifting this Shelby’s hood reveals a 351ci V8 that produces 290hp. Those ponies feed to a 3.25 Traction-Lok rear end via a three-speed automatic transmission. Power steering and power front disc brakes will take the hard work out of the motoring experience. If the original owner had pointed this GT350 at a ¼ mile, it would have covered the distance in 15.5 seconds before running out of breath with the needle nudging 122mph. This Shelby is numbers-matching and is in excellent mechanical health. The seller supplies this YouTube video that provides a walk-around and a chance to hear the 351 start and run. It sounds crisp and clean, with no evident problems. The seller says that it runs and drives well and has a genuine 73,000 miles on the clock. They don’t mention verifying evidence, but with the original Owner’s Manual, Build Sheet, Marti Report, Shelby Accessory Price List, and Certificate of Authenticity included, the proof could be in there somewhere. There is one final point worth considering with this classic, and it surrounds another upgrade that buyers need to consider. The seller indicates they fitted long tube headers to the 351, but not whether they retained the original system. Purists will probably elect to search for the correct components, while some enthusiasts will be happy to leave things as they stand.
Opening the doors brings us face-to-face with a Black interior with no major flaws or defects. The seats show no evidence of wear, while the remaining upholstered surfaces, carpet, dash, and headliner, look perfect. The distinctive Shelby features like the roll bar, harnesses, console, and gauges are intact. The glove compartment door features Carroll Shelby’s autograph, adding to the attraction. Recent additions include a fire extinguisher and a Bluetooth stereo in the spot reserved for the factory AM radio. Those are further changes that some people may choose to reverse. Comfort and convenience features include a tilt-away rimblow wheel and a Sport Deck rear seat.
There’s no doubt that this 1969 Shelby GT350 has struck a chord with potential buyers, with forty bids standing as evidence that people like what they see. As a purist, I have some issues with the owner’s changes. While reversing some would be easy, returning it to its original paint shade represents a significant undertaking and expense. However, I would still drive it in its current form with my head held high because it is a car that would command respect and attention wherever it goes. There would still be that little voice in the back of my head that would niggle at me about the changes, but I’m unsure whether it would prove enough to motivate me enough to return this classic to its original form. How do you feel about it?
This one has been here before… this might be a third time?
And the third time was not a charm.
Beautiful in black… Sorry the original color is butt ugly. I seen that color on a GT500 did not it a any favors. The headers are a good choice so 351 can run and sound better. The trans it would be better to row your own . I would be proud to drive this to shows not trailer it. Good luck to the next owner. 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
Are these wheels lighter in weight than magnum 500s?
I wonder what’s the condition of the steering wheel – i prefer an elastic washable black velour steering wheel cover.
$73,380 now, reserve not met, only 8 hours left.
Interesting question…the Magnum 500 wheel (not available on the Shelby) were of an all-steel construction. The 69-70 Shelby wheels were constructed with a steel rim and aluminum center. One would assume the Shelby wheels to be a lighter weight, but I bet they are heavier than expected.
“Plan B went into effect: the Motor Wheel Corporation offered a painted steel mag-type wheel in a five-spoke design, with black-painted pockets. Done in a finish known as magnesium gray, the color approximated flat gray primer, but the finished product, when mounted on the GT350 with a chrome center cap and lug nuts, provided a much more attractive alternative than did the silver-painted “station wagon” wheel that had been standard fare on the 1965 GT350.”
“The Motor Wheel Magnum 500, as it was called, became the standard wheel for the 1966 Shelby; a chrome version differentiated the cars supplied to Hertz. A 14-inch dress up wheel, cast in aluminum, filled the bill as an optional item, and Goodyear supplied a high-speed tire in a 14-inch diameter for the wheels, replacing the 1965 15-inch Blue Dot tire known as the Blue Streak (despite the name the Shelby version did not have the milled-out thin blue sidewall stripe).”
Copied from – https://www.diyford.com/shelby-mustang-history-1966-gt350-softening-edges/
Discuss!
I should have added that they (Magnum 500) were only available on the ’66. The original question was about the weight. My best friend recently sold his 66 GT 350H, which had the correct Magnum 500 wheels, he also had a set of Magnums that were never assembled… rims and centers along with an incredible treasure trove of NOS parts. Multiple Rotunda tachs, Hertz center caps, Koni shocks, the 3″ racing seat belts still in original boxes, trim, weather stripping, it looked like an old Ford dealership parts department all crammed into a 40′ sea container. He was able to visit Shelby in Las Vegas he inquired about the registry, his car was listed as “whereabouts unknown) last seen with this CA tag. He then pulled out his phone, showed them the Shelby tag, and a photo of the car still wearing the old CA tag. Their response was essentially “it’s no longer unknown!” The car was sold to a collector in Australia last summer.
The clock in the glove box door….sold me !
10 minutes to go…gotta go bid !
The clock is in a filler panel. The glovebox is actually below that panel.
$81,100 reserve not met.
I had a 69 mustang coupe with 351 2v hood scoop not forced air. Hated the 3 spd automatic. This is a good catch, and I’d dump the automatic. What was reserve? If not able or willing to share, keep your car!