Carroll Shelby’s Own 1969 GT500 Fastback Is Going Under the Hammer in January

The Carroll Shelby-designed Mustang was produced between 1965 and 1970, now turning into probably the most revered American cars of all time. The racer-turned-designer remains to be probably the most revered names in vehicle historical past, and thus, any instance with a private connection to him will get just a few legs up within the public sale circuit. 

This January, a 1969 Shelby GT500 Fastback owned by Shelby himself goes below the hammer at Mecum’s Kissimmee public sale. Let’s check out the automobile in query.

Shelby and Ford

Starting as an expert driver within the ‘50s, Carroll Shelby envisioned an American vehicle market crammed with touring vehicles like there have been in Europe on the time. After his racing profession, he opened a customs store in Los Angeles the place he began to develop a relationship with Ford, who was offering elements for his own Cobra models. The success of those vehicles finally led to the manufacturing of the Shelby Mustang, a third-party, high-performance model of Ford’s fashionable pony automobile.

Whereas the first-generation Shelby Mustangs had been spectacular in their very own proper, with its Windsor 4.7-liter HiPo Ok-Code V8 engine. Nevertheless, with the second-gen fashions debuting in 1967, Shelby had one thing greater in thoughts.

Larger and Higher

Ford was readying a brand new 428 big-block FE engine and Shelby needed to create a automobile that would match it below the hood. Referred to as the FE Sequence Cobra Jet, this was a 7.0-liter V8 engine paired with a close-ratio 4-speed handbook transmission and able to 335hp and 440lb.ft of torque. This mannequin improved on the earlier FE engines with its 427 low-riser cylinder heads and a 735 CFM Holley carburetor.

Cobra’s Cobra

For the 1969 mannequin just like the one for public sale, which was the ultimate sequence of this automobile, not a lot was totally different from earlier iterations. Nevertheless, design updates did embrace an extended fiberglass entrance finish, a hoop grill, an advanced tail mild, and a revamped exhaust system. The entrance hood was additionally a bit extra aggressive with its quintet of NACA-style scoops. 5-spoke wheels had been additionally added to the combo.

For the reason that GT500 carried a racing spirit — the Cobra Jet engine itself was purpose-built for drag racing — the automobile contains a roll bar, inertia-reel harnesses, and performance-oriented inside trim.

One in all simply round 18 GT500 Fastbacks made that 12 months in “Grabber Yellow,” this explicit instance was bought new in Covina, California by Carroll Shelby himself. With an odometer that reads 4,575mi, it additionally options black Clarion bucket seats, energy steering, energy brakes with entrance discs, and Goodyear Polyglas tires. Whoever is fortunate sufficient to win this public sale may even obtain Shelby’s personal gross sales bill and a replica of his California title.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

Crossing the public sale block on January 11 on the Kissimmee occasion, this 1969 Shelby GT500 Fastback is estimated to go for between $160,000 and $180,000. Head over to Mecum to test it out for your self and/or register to bid.

Public sale Block: 1969 Shelby GT500 Fastback

One in all an estimated 18 Shelby GT500 Fastbacks from 1969 in “Grabber Yellow” goes below the hammer. This automobile is much more particular as a result of it was owned by Carroll Shelby himself.