1969→1970 Shelby GT500 Sportsroof
Ever since the Cobra’s inception, Ford has always had a good relationship with Carol Shelby. By 1961, he was shipping in chassis from AC Cars from England, powering them with Ford 289 engines and dominating the Corvette on the track.
In 1965, Shelby turned to Ford’s popular Mustang. He stripped down version of the production car and added many performance modifications. Competing in the SCCA Production Group B class, the race-spec Shelby Mustang 350-R took many victories.
The 69-70 Shelby Mustang
The 1969-70 Shelby Mustang represents the evolution from both Shelby and Ford. By 1969, the production Ford Mustang was redesigned as a larger and more luxurious model. Many special models made available by Ford themselves which directly competed with previous Shelby upgrades. However, these cars did not stop Shelby from moving forward with his ’69 Mustang, but marked the end of Ford and Shelby’s cozy relationship.
Leading up the seventies, Shelby focused more on their road going conversions such as the 500GT. Production R-code Mustangs in from 1968 forward featured the new 428 Cobra Jet engine having 280hp. Along with the package came front disc brakes, a functional ram-air scoop which served as a good basis for the 1970 Shelby Mustang 500.
More than ever before, the 1969-70 Mustang featured comfort and convenience. Options such as an AM-FM stereo radio, tilt steering and Ford air conditioning were now available which were always deleted on the earlier 350 Mustangs. Interior appointments were very similar to the deluxe interiors delivered by Ford. Shelby installed a functional roll bar and a wood-rimmed steering wheel.
The car was powered by Ford’s Super Cobra Jet 428 V8 engine, geared through a C6 automatic transmission and a traction-Loc limited slip rear axle. The drag pack included this differential, an engine oil cooler and 427-type connecting rods.
Due to their heavier weight, seventies styling and lack of race program, the ’69 and ’70 Shelby Mustangs have been overshadowed by their earlier counterparts.
In Detail
| tags | mustang |
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Professionally Tuned Car |
| production years | 1969 – 1970 |
| built at | USA |
| production | 1534 |
| price $ | $ 5,027 |
| engine | Super Cobra jet V8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | Pushrod Actuated OHV, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Ram Air, Single Holley Four-Barrell 735cfm |
| displacement | 7019 cc / 428.3 in³ |
| bore | 104.9 mm / 4.13 in |
| stroke | 101.09 mm / 3.98 in |
| compression | 10.6:1 |
| power | 249.8 kw / 335.0 bhp @ 3200 rpm |
| specific output | 47.73 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 174.57 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 596.56 nm / 440 ft lbs @ 3400 rpm |
| body / frame | Unit Steel w/Fiberglass Hood, Front End |
| driven wheels | RWD w/traction-Loc LSD |
| front tires | Goodyear Super Wide-Oval E70X15 |
| rear tires | Goodyear Super Wide-Oval E70X15 |
| front brakes | Kelsey-Hayes Discs w/Power Assist |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| steering | Recirculating Ball w/Power Assist |
| f suspension | A-Arms w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bars, Adjustable Tube Shocks |
| r suspension | Hotchkiss-Type Live Axle w/Leaf Springs, Adjustable tube Shocks |
| curb weight | 1919 kg / 4230 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2743 mm / 108.0 in |
| front track | 1486 mm / 58.5 in |
| rear track | 1486 mm / 58.5 in |
| length | 4826 mm / 190 in |
| width | 1826 mm / 71.9 in |
| height | 1285 mm / 50.6 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual or 3-Speed C6 Auto |
| gear ratios | 2.32:1, 1.69:1, 1.29:1, 1.00:1 |
| final drive | 3.50:1 |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~6.0 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~14.0 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~17.0 seconds |
Auction Sales History
1970 Shelby GT500 Fastback 0F02R482766 – sold for $95,000 The proceeds will be given to the Brother’s In Arms Foundation and then gifted to Petty Officer Ian McClanahan. Ian was seriously injured while training for his deployment to Afghanistan. 1 of 104 with 428 CI Super Cobra Jet, drag pack option. Shelby Automotive sales invoice. Elite Marti Report. Letter from Ford Customer Service. Shelby Registry.
Auction Source: Monterey 2014 by Mecum Auctions
1970 Shelby GT500 Fastback – sold for $79,000
Auction Source: Kissimmee 2014, #WhereTheCarsAre by Mecum
1969 Shelby GT500 Fastback – sold for $135,000
– Fold-down Sport Deck rear seat. Tinted glass. Believed to be 17,000 original miles. Restored to Shelby Gold award status. Came off assembly line on May 28, 1969. Shipped on July 31,1969 to Phil Long Ford in Colorado Springs, CO. Marti Report and copy of original broadcast sheet.. MCA judged and received the Award of Excellence in 2006.
Auction Source: Kissimmee 2014, #WhereTheCarsAre by Mecum
1969 Shelby GT500 Sportsroof – sold for $140,000
Auction Source: The Daytime Auction in Monterey by Mecum
1970 Shelby GT500 – did not sell for $95,000
428/335 HP engine. 4-speed transmission. Original drag pack car with 4-speed and no air conditioning. One owner, complete with all original delivery documents. Delivered brand new at Gotham Ford in downtown Manhattan. Very successful amateur drag race history at Englishtown and National speedways. Car ran mid 12’s in “steet” form. Refinished in Screaming Yellow. Engine, transmission, differential, all rebuilt with new gaskets, seals, freeze plugs ect. Over $60,000 spent on refurbishments alone.
Auction Source: 2011 Mecum Kissimmee, FL Auction
1971 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Coupé – sold for €54,600
We understand that the GT500 offered here was fitted with an experimental 428ci fuel-injected engine by Shelby Motors. However, it was decided not to use the fuel-injected engine so the original motor was reinstalled and the car sold to a gentleman in Monaco. One of 217 models finished in Gulf Stream Blue livery, this GT500 has been fitted with a sports steering wheel and Wolfrace alloy wheels from new. The car was purchased by the vendor and restored in 2005, when work undertaken included a bare metal re-spray and a complete engine rebuild by marque specialists. The interior remains totally original, even down to the floor mats, and the car is described as in generally excellent condition having covered only 58,000 miles from new. Used very little since restoration, this excellent example is offered with current MoT certificate, Swansea V5 registration document and that all-important Marti Report confirming its details and numbers.
Auction Source: 2010 Collectors’ Motor Cars at Goodwood Revival by Bonhams
