1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

[Rusty]

Ready to learn about the nicest '67 Shelby in the world? Seriously, that's not just hyperbole, this car is only 3 points away from perfection according to the Mustang Club of America. It has had a rotisserie restoration to the absolute highest of standards, and is one of only 438 Britany Blue Shelby Mustangs built in 1967, and one of only 24 in this paint/trim combination. Add in a matching-numbers drive-train, original sheet-metal, a ton of documentation, and a detailed history, and you've got one incredible car.

Yeah, it's absolutely the nicest one I've ever seen.

This Shelby GT500 was ordered new by Metke Ford Motors in Bellvue, Washington on March 29, 1967, and built on June 6, almost two weeks behind schedule. It was delivered to Washington, where it spent most of its life. In 1995, master restorer and Shelby expert Bruce Ward of Tacoma purchased and restored the car to concours condition. It was refreshed again about ten years later, and today it remains in absolutely show-perfect condition.

I know, I know, enough history; let's talk about the car itself. First, I love unusual colors. You've seen white, red, and black Shelby Mustangs, but how often do you see one in a sophisticated and elegant color like Britany Blue? No, I suppose it isn't a race car color, but it looks absolutely jaw-dropping in person—this car just has a presence that an ordinary "look at me" red car just can't match. Look closer and see the incredible prep and body work that went into making it look so good. We have an album full of restoration photos that show this car in bare steel being rebuilt from the ground up on a rotisserie. All the body panels are original to the car, making it one of the most authentic Shelby Mustangs anywhere—no garden-variety Mustangs were killed in the construction of this car!

Once the car was stripped, the metal was smoothed and reworked to perfection before a drop of paint was sprayed. Once everything was perfect, the correct red oxide primer was sprayed on the floors exactly the way the factory did it, then the rest of the body was finished with 2-stage base/clear paint for a deep, permanent luster. Fortunately, they didn't embed the stripes under the clear just for authenticity's sake. Once the paint was dry, the car was carefully reassembled with all the panels adjusted for flawless fit and perfect gaps all around. If you know anything about Shelby Mustangs, you know the fiberglass pieces Shelby used were not always of the highest quality, and getting them to fit can be a nightmare—I've even heard of cars whose hoods moved around in the heat of the sun. Finally, it was all wet-sanded and buffed to a high shine with nary a wave or ripple to be seen anywhere. I was only able to detect one small area on the roof that had any flaws at all, but I bet you won't find it. Regardless, the fit and finish on this Shelby is much, much nicer than it was new, and that's the understatement of the year.

Of course, all the bright-work and trim are top-notch on this car, just as you'd expect. The bumpers have been re-chromed, the stainless buffed to a flawless shine, and all the logos and emblems have been restored or replaced with high-quality reproductions. The sequential taillights on the unique rear panel are glossy and clear and work as they should, while the fog-lights and hood pins up front are perfect. The race-style gas cap flips open easily and the Shelby GT500 logo on it is bright and sharp. All the glass is unmarked, although the windshield is an aftermarket replacement—the fact that it doesn't carry the "Carlite" script cost this car one of those three points with the MCA in March of 2006.

Underhood, it's every bit as nice as the exterior would suggest. First, there's that matching-numbers, 355-horsepower, 428 Police Interceptor V8 topped by a factory dual quad intake with correct 600 CFM Holley carburetors and "COBRA" air cleaner and valve covers. The engine was rebuilt with dependability and drivability in mind, since the owner wanted to have the ability to enjoy the car now and again, so there's nothing radical going on in there—just a high-quality factory spec rebuild throughout. It has been painted the correct Ford Blue, and once it was nestled back in the satin black engine bay, it was detailed to factory-delivered status. All the hoses are FoMoCo reproduction items with the proper tower hose clamps, the plug wires are authentic Autolite pieces, and the rebuilt alternator carries the GT500-correct Autolite alternator with a dual-groove pulley. NOS components were used whenever possible for absolute authenticity. A reproduction Autolite battery is secured in its tray, and tagged with reproduction warning tags, along with those for the coolant. Other decals and stickers were applied in tier correct locations, along with the inspection marks on the block, just as they would have been in 1967. There are some slight signs of use on the cast iron exhaust manifolds, since it has been driven about 200 miles since it was restored, but otherwise this is a flawless engine compartment. These cars are so well documented and researched that it is virtually impossible to not know the right way to do it, and this car was done the right way.

It's a real shame the chassis is hidden down there under the car, because this one is as highly detailed as any I've ever seen. I know I mentioned the correct primer and overspray already, and it all looks very factory. But when you look a little closer you see things like the paint daubs on the springs indicating that they are the GT-spec pieces from the Ford inventory, the markings all over the C5 automatic transmission and 9-inch rear indicating that they have been assembled and filled with the appropriate oil. The suspension arms are painted to reproduce the paint the factory applied by dipping the parts, not spraying them, and all the bushings, joints and other suspension components are brand new. The front disc and rear drum brakes have been fully rebuilt, too. A correct dual exhaust system has been installed, and tucks up behind a brand new gas tank. The beautifully accurate chassis is topped by a set of authentic Shelby 10-spoke alloy wheels with original Goodyear Raceway tires. You know the wheels are originals because the spokes taper towards the rim—most reproduction wheels have straight spokes that are easy to spot. Call us and we'll be happy to put the car up on a lift for you to examine every detail; there are definitely no smoke and mirrors here.

The gorgeous black bucket seat Décor interior is flat-out amazing. Everything is 100% new or restored, from the carpets to the headliner. The gauges, including the auxiliary gauges under the radio, have been rebuilt and function perfectly. The AM radio plays loud and clear, while the wood-rimmed Shelby sport steering wheel looks like it was just whittled out of a tree yesterday. In front of the driver is the optional 8000 RPM tachometer and trip odometer, while the brake pedal shows the optional power front disc brake badge. The shifter for the C5 automatic has been re-chromed and notches precisely through its detents. New seat belts hang from the Shelby-installed roll bar. In back, the fold-down rear seat has been properly restored, and the trunk is stuffed with a correct trunk mat and matching fifth alloy wheel and Goodyear tire.

And we have documentation on this car, too. In addition to the extensive photo album covering the restoration, there's a complete Marti Report on this car, original owner's manual, original Shelby American marketing brochure, and assorted show literature. There's also an appraisal pegging this car's value at $200,000, and this exact car was a no-sale at $180,000 at the Russo and Steele auction in 2007—if ever there was a time to move on a top-flight big-block Shelby, it's now.

This car counts among its many show wins a "Best of Muscle Car Class" victory at the 2005 Concours D'Elegance in Winter Park, Florida, Gold in Concours Trailered Division at the Pensacola, Florida Mustang Club of America show, and it has appeared in the Ford display at the Palm Beach auto show. It has recently been inspected and authenticated by Pete Geisler of Orlando Mustang, and appears on pages 692 and 793 of the 1997 SAAC World Registry. This is a very well known, fully documented Shelby.

The cars that command top prices among collectors are no-stories cars with documents and matching numbers throughout. This car has all of that, plus the appeal of an unusual color combination and big block power. The restoration on this car is beyond reproach, with top quality workmanship and materials used throughout. If there are flaws in this car they are easily fixed to create the most perfect Shelby GT500 in the world. With all original sheet metal, a documented restoration with photos, and all the little details that make a strong #2 car into a perfect #1 car, this 1967 Shelby GT500 is investment-grade. I have a strong suspicion that at this price, this gorgeous car will not last long call us now!

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