In 1967, the Mustang was given a subtle redesign to accommodate Ford’s 390-cubic-inch big-block V-8, prompting Carroll Shelby to introduce the GT500, a pinnacle model infused with the potent Ford Cobra 428-8V engine and a dual-carb intake. Although officially rated at 355 horsepower, its true output neared 400 horsepower, coupled with an impressive 420 pound-feet of torque. The GT500 boasted a distinctive front end featuring a hood scoop and grille-mounted driving lights, complemented by rear-quarter scoops, a rear spoiler, and air scoops ahead of the rear wheels. A roll bar with inertia-reel shoulder harnesses added a competitive edge to the car.
This extensively restored 1967 GT500, finished in its original Dark Moss Green over black vinyl, stands out as a rare gem. Only 43 units were produced with a four-speed manual transmission and factory air conditioning in 1967, with a mere six adorned in this striking color, and just three believed to exist today.
A detailed Shelby American sales order from June 7, 1967, to Johnny Bolton Ford reveals an array of factory options, including an AM radio, deluxe wheels, shoulder harnesses, oil cooler, power steering, interior décor group, tinted windshield, and front power disc brakes, accompanied by Selectaire air conditioning.
The GT500’s provenance is well-documented, with four recorded owners and an astonishing tenure under a single California-based Shelby enthusiast from 1972 to 2017. In 2021, Tri-City Mustang specialists executed a meticulous rotisserie restoration, resulting in the car’s recognition with a Gold Prize at the SAAC 47 concours in June 2022.
With matching numbers on the body and engine, confirming a date-correct sequence, this 1967 GT500, which has never been auctioned before, is a rare and exceptional find for collectors seeking the purest manifestation of Carroll Shelby’s early big-block Mustang on the open road.
Bidding for this superb 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback will go live on RM Sotheby’s on January 25 and it is expected to fetch somewhere between $300,000 – $400,000.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
