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You Can Buy History: 1969 Shelby GT500

Don’t paint it. That’s the most important thing one can say about the fabulously original 1969 Shelby GT500 for sale here on eBay. Sure, if you spend the six figures it will take to secure this car, it’s yours to do with as you like. But to put color over the original factory finish—you monster! The car is in Houston, Texas at the moment, and it’s short of reserve at $92,100.

By the late 1960s, a Shelby Mustang was a bit of a Shelby-in-name-only. No longer were the cars created in a skunkworks with ol’ Shel showing up to work on a daily basis. Instead, Ford built them in Southfield, MI. The ’69s were decidedly not as popular as their predecessors, signaled by the fact that Ford had to re-VIN between 600-800 (sources vary) leftover 1969s as 1970s, along with adding chin spoilers and hood stripes in black to give them at least some model year distinction.

The 1969 Shelby, whether a GT350 or a GT500, was available in SportsRoof or Convertible styles.  True, they were bigger and heavier than Mustangs prior, more Grand Touring than sporty, but they had definite muscle-car aspirations. They were outfitted with a unique fiberglass nose with NACA ducts to allow cool air in and hot air out, plus to supply air for the Ram-Air unit in the hood. Other functional scoops and ducts in the bodywork made it clear that this Shelby-badged machine was made to run—and stop. The GT500 had a 428-CID Cobra Jet engine putting out 335 hp. This particular one is backed up by an automatic transmission and features air conditioning.

Representing the last of the first-generation Shelby Mustangs, this Competition Red 1969 is meticulously documented via photos, the presence of the build sheet, Shelby invoices, and a chain of ownership going back to new. It has had its engine professionally rebuilt, but very little else has been touched, down to the carpet being original. The odo shows less than 64,000 miles. This is a rare car which should be bought by someone who understands the responsibility that comes with it. He or she becomes part of a chain of custody extending back to the start and agrees to caretake something that will be around, hopefully, long after whoever buys it this week is gone. So do your gut check as you prepare to ante up six figures for this car, but if you’re the kind of person who can do it, then have at it. Just be sure to revel in the patina and the real and present past that exists as an aura around this vehicle. They’re original only once.

Comments

  1. Bluetec320 Bluetec320 Member

    FantomWorks restored a 70 Shelby GT500 in the same color, but the stripe was white and it also had black hood stripes. That thing was a rotted, rusty, salt eaten, mess when it arrived. They did a great job on the restoration. I believe the episode was called “One Salty Shelby”, and if you have never seen it, I highly recommend grabbing a few cold ones, and a bag or two of snacks, and cueing it up on Motortrend+.

    Like 19
    • Brian Kennedy Staff

      I remember that one. Thanks for the reminder. Interesting to see what these are getting at auction. I remember when a GT350 from 1966 was a 30K car, not that I should admit that!

      Like 5
      • lenny conte

        CLEARLY showing my age, I sold TWO 66 GT350’s for $ 900 each ! At least I’m in the SAAC World Registry. Misspent youth : ) !

        Like 3
  2. RoughDiamond

    This is obviously a super nice and desirable later model Shelby. Since I still have fond memories of my Dad driving home on occasion (when it was not rented or being drag raced), one of the early 4-speed ’66 Hertz Shelbys GT350-Hs, my love for Shelbys ends there. As I understand it, Shelby was out in terms of calling the shots beginning in ’67 and was basically working for Ford at that point. Please correct me if I am wrong.

    Like 2
    • Jonny

      The ’67 Shelbys were built in the Shelby American facility in Los Angeles. Production moved to Michigan beginning with the ’68 model year Shelbys, with the work being done by the A. O. Smith company for Ford.

      Also, if you rode in a 4 speed 1966 GT350H, you had a rare ride indeed. Only a handful of that particular model were built as 4 speeds. The overwhelming majority of the ’66 Hertz cars were automatics.

      Like 9
  3. Emel

    Ford vs Ferrari. Score one for Carroll Shelby. Wow what a car !

    Like 3
  4. Mutt

    Orange you all glad Barn Finds listed this car…

    Like 20
    • Brian Kennedy Staff

      Competition Red that Barn Finds listed… oh yeah, that doesn’t rhyme, does it?

      Like 1
  5. joenywf64

    This car surely deserves for the factory steering wheel to be uncovered(hopefully in decent condtion) & at least an “autolite look” battery top
    cover.
    With all that fiberglass up front, would not a ’69-’70 shelby be at least 100 lbs lighter in weight(where it counts) than a ’69-’70 mustang with the same drivetrain & options?
    I don’t think i ever seen a ’69-’73 mustang (or ’69-’70 shelby) with power windows – or even cruise control! Did lack of availability(why??!!) of those 2 options reduce sales, since they were options on ’67-69 firebirds & camaros, & ’70-74 cudas & challys?
    Oddly, for a few model years, i remember reading that one could not get a 2nd gen camaro with power windows either! That really had/has me scratchin my head.

    Like 1
    • Tony T

      Power windows were available in 69-70 for the cougars, but not mustangs. 71-73 mustangs did offer them as an
      Option, however.

      Like 2
    • Mark

      1971 was the 1st year for power windows in a Mustang. Tilt wheel also available, and the “Rim Blow” horn on the steering wheel rim.

      Like 0
  6. Bob_in_TN Bob_in_TN Member

    Read the ebay ad for an example of someone who has put some real effort into describing and presenting their special car.

    Like 5
  7. Brian Goss

    67 Shelby was still produced at the LA airport with 68,69,70 going to Ford control I bought a Hertz car in 1975 for $3000 Not long after prices began to go up

    Like 7
  8. Brian Goss

    FYI the cover on the steering wheel was OEM

    Like 4
    • Dusty Rider

      Sorry, I’m not buying that that cover is factory.

      Like 2
    • Brian Kennedy Staff

      This is irony, right?

      Like 0
    • steve

      LOL, no.

      Like 2
  9. Kirk R.

    is that an 8-track tape sticking out of a player in the dash? :)

    Like 3
  10. Big C

    In 1976, I’m at a local Ford dealer, with my dad, looking for my first car. There on the lot, is a blue Shelby GT500. $4000. I mentioned to dad, that maybe he should buy it. He said: ” What am I going to do with an old Mustang?” If we knew then…..

    Like 8
  11. 428ci

    Steering wheel cover and battery cover? , geez minor on this stunning car.

    Like 0
  12. Jay E. Member

    I don’t remember exactly the year, but sometime around 1966. My Dad went to look at a P-51 Mustang parked at the Hamilton Air Force Base in Marin. $10,000.00 and full of AvGas. I recall the argument that ensued with my Mom over it. I later saw it being raced at Reno when a lot of warplanes were circling the Pylons. A lot of plane for 10k.
    Keep in mind that they paid 24K for a very nice house back then and it brings some context. Hard to say what was a bigger value these days, both are 7 figures. Ironically, I no longer wish to own either Mustang anymore, but 30 years ago I looked long and hard before the last zero was added on..

    Like 4
  13. Car Nut Tacoma Washington

    Nice looking car. I’ve always found the 69 Shelby Mustang GT500 the best looking Shelby Mustang offered. I’m just not sure whether it’s a 1st gen Mustang or a 2nd gen. Call me naïve, but I thought the 1964-67 Mustang was the 1st gen, while the 1968-72 was the 2nd gen Mustang while the 1973-78 (Mustang II) was the 3rd gen Mustang.

    Like 1
    • Rob S

      Greetings from over the narrows bridge, Gig harbor!

      Like 1
  14. Steve

    Whoever ordered this car simply wanted a cruiser. Come on, an automatic?

    Like 2
    • steve

      Absolutely nothing wrong with a bang-screech C6 automatic.

      Like 2
  15. z1rider

    Yes, the presentation on Ebay is first class.

    The steering wheel cover is most certainly NOT factory.

    Like 4
  16. Howie

    I am late to the party, it ended, sold it off of FeeBay?

    Like 0
  17. RoughDiamond

    @Jonny and Brian Goss-thanks for the Shelby education much appreciated. Yes, years after the fact I realized how rare that early ’66 Shelby GT350-H 4-speed was.

    Like 2
  18. Rob S

    Greetings from over the narrows bridge, Gig harbor!

    Like 0
  19. joenywf64

    I remember seeing a car just like this – same color shown USED! on a now extinct not on a highway Jersey Ford dealer showroom floor for quite some time in the ’70s!
    Not a good way, tho, to sell new cars if they didn’t make the car anymore. lol
    Could this car for sale be the same one? – was it ever in Jersey?

    Like 0
  20. Marvin Askins

    My ’67GT350 is number 318 and was made in California. The steering wheel cover also is not factory. My ’70 Mach 1 Mustang had a “Rim Blow” horn which I believe started with the 1969 Mustang.

    Like 1
  21. Mikey P

    WOW!! Just so perty!

    Like 0
  22. Andrew M Franz

    First Generation (1964-1973)
    Second Generation (1974-1978)
    Third Generation (1979-1993)
    Fourth Generation (1994-2004)
    Fifth Generation (2005-2014)
    Sixth Generation (2015-Present)

    Like 1

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