The last year for the Shelby Mustang was 1969. Now based on the new SportsRoof and convertible Mustang body styles, Shelby's newly designed Mustang shared very little resemblance to the production Mustang. The GT350 and GT500 were still available in both fastback or convertible.
The front end design on the '69 Shelby shared was completely new. Both the fenders and the hood were fiberglass and created a large rectangular grille opening which carried two 7 inch headlights. Beneath the bumper, Lucas foglamps were mounted.
The hood contained three forward-facing NASA scoops, the center one providing air to into the engine's intake system. Also on the hood were two rear-facing scoops. Brake scoops can be found on the front fenders, as did the rear, all providing air to the brakes. Rear scoops can be found on convertibles mounted lower in order to prevent any interference with the convertible top mechanism. In the rear, fiberglass extensions were added to the fiberglass deck lid to create a pronounced spoiler. '65 Thunderbird taillights were used, and a unique aluminum exhaust collector exited in the center beneath the bumper.
Side stripes can be found on both models with either GT350 or GT500 lettering at the front fender in front of the brake scoop. Snake emblems can be found behind the rear side windows and also on the left side of the front grille. Also, Cobra Jet emblems, like the ones found on the '68 GT500KR, were used on the GT500's front fenders.
The interior of the Shelby was once again the production Mustang's Deluxe Interior Decor Group, available in either black or white, with Shelby identification on the door panels, steering wheel and passenger's dash. The console top housed two two Stewart Warner gauges, oil and amps, along with two toggle switches for foglamps and courtesy lights. The instrument cluster contained a 8000 rpm tachometer, 140 mph speedometer and fuel gauges. All of the fastback Shelbys one again have the inertia-reel harnesses while the convertibles kept the same 1968 type roll bar. A very small portion of Shelbys came with red interior.
The GT350 Shelby came with the 290hp 4-V version of the production 351 Windsor. The only difference being an aluminum intake manifold as well as Cobra valve covers.
The GT500 Shelby used the 428CJ-R with all variations found on the regular Mustang.
As with the Mach 1, the Competition Suspension, transmission and rear axle were all options on the Shelby.
The unique 15x7 inch rims had an aluminum center section welded to a chrome steel rim. Standard tires were E70x15; although most cars came with the F60x15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs.
Some other standard features found were power steering, power front disc brakes, and four-speed manual transmission.
Around 789 Shelbys were unsold in 1969. These cars were "updated" and sold as 1970 models by changing the VIN showing 1970 as the model year. Changes to the '70 also included twin black hood stripes and a Boss 302 type chin spoiler.
Production Numbers: GT350 Fastback: 935 GT350 Convertibles: 194 GT500 Fastback: 1,536 GT500 Convertibles: 335 GT500 Fastback Hertz cars: 150 Barrier Test & Prototype Pilot cars: 3 Total '69-'70 models: 1,153 *789 updated 1970 models
Serial Numbers 9 - Last digit of model year (0-1970 updated cars)
F - Assembly plant (F-Dearborn)
M - Engine code (M-351, R-428CJ-R)
48 - Shelby code
0001 - Consecutive unit number
Example: 9F02M480001
Location
Plate riveted to dash panel on driver's side, visible through windshield; stamped on warranty plate located on face of driver's door, which also reads "Special Performance Vehicle"; stamped on driver's and passenger's inner fender panel halfway between shock tower and firewall, visible with fenders removed; additional plate stating "Custom-Crafted by Shelby Automotive Inc." attached above warranty plate.
The interior of the Shelby was once again the production Mustang's Deluxe Interior Decor Group, available in either black or white, with Shelby identification on the door panels, steering wheel and passenger's dash. The console top housed two two Stewart Warner gauges, oil and amps, along with two toggle switches for foglamps and courtesy lights. The instrument cluster contained a 8000 rpm tachometer, 140 mph speedometer and fuel gauges. All of the fastback Shelbys one again have the inertia-reel harnesses while the convertibles kept the same 1968 type roll bar. A very small portion of Shelbys came with red interior.
Around 789 Shelbys were unsold in 1969. These cars were "updated" and sold as 1970 models by changing the VIN showing 1970 as the model year. Changes to the '70 also included twin black hood stripes and a Boss 302 type chin spoiler.
