The movie Gone in Sixty Seconds made the “Eleanor” GT500 very popular and there are custom shops all over modifying stock 1967 Mustangs to replicate the movie car which is itself a replica of the original Shelby Mustangs, but while replicas make sense in the movies, the car to have isn’t the replica, or the replica of the replica, it’s the original, envisioned by Carroll Shelby and built in 1967. The car you see here is one of those, the real deal, a genuine 1967 Shelby GT500.
When I see these Shelby Mustangs, it brings back a rush of nostalgic memories. I remember them from when they were new and what it was like to see them on the road with all of the other muscle cars roaming the streets, with gasoline under a dollar and filling up with Sunoco 260 on the way to the drag strip.
In 1967 Shelby produced two versions, both the small block 289 powered GT350 and this big block 428 powered GT500. It’s equipped with dual quad 600 CFM Holley carburetors, the Ford C6 automatic transmission, air conditioning, power disc brakes, 10 spoke aluminum wheels, traction lock rear end and shoulder harnesses mounted to the roll bar with inertia reel retractors for front seat occupants.
While the 1967 Mustang was a great looking car to begin with, Shelby added just the right additional touches to make it look even better. The scoops for the rear brakes and over the fastback air vents, the wide taillights, the low scoop on the hood, twin wide center stripes, it was just a great package all around.
This particular car has been owned by Pro Wrestler and TV Personality Bill Goldman and Steve Davis, principal of Barrett Jackson, though I’ve never found who owned a car before me to be very important, I was always far more interested in the car itself.
Is this one expensive? Of course, but this one is real. I once had the chance to own a Shelby Mustang back in the late 60s, but passed on it, it’s forever one of my “the one that got away” stories. Now, if you’re in a position to take advantage of an opportunity like this, you might want to check it out, it’s for sale on eBay.