1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback

The next-generation Shelby Mustang was the GT500, and it incorporated Ford's big-block power from its inception. Upscale, professional and well off, the buyers Shelby and Ford targeted wanted performance at their disposal but also demanded their performance cars be comfortable and reliable daily drivers. For 1967, Shelby Mustangs got progressive-rate springs that were comfortable on the freeway but stiffened as they were compressed to give good handling.

This beautiful example was built on February 6, 1967. It was sold new at Holiday Ford in Sunnyvale, California, and would not travel far as its first owner, Howard Baruz, was in the same town. The heart and soul of the car starts with the big-block engine, a matching-numbers 428 CI V-8 police interceptor. The engine features 10:1 compression, a high-lift cam and a pair of 600 CFM Holley 4-barrel carburetors with progressive linkage and vacuum secondaries on an aluminum medium-rise intake manifold. It was rated at a conservative 355 HP, but Shelby enthusiasts claim it actually pumped out some 50 HP more while generating 420 lb-ft of tire-scorching torque. This Shelby has its matching-numbers 4 speed manual transmission, original wood wheel and original underdash gauge pod. Power front disc brakes, rear drum brakes and power steering were mandatory options, along with roll bar-mounted, inertia-reel shoulder harnesses and fold-down rear seats.

The car's exterior looks as good as it performs, and its first impressions leave the viewer thoroughly impressed. This Shelby GT500 has been finished in the factory-correct Dark Moss Green paint with twin white stripes running the entire length of the car. The beautiful original body still looks as good as when it left the factory and retains its original fiberglass hood, nose and rear deck. The optional “Mag Star” wheels and the Goodyear Speedway tires equipped on this Shelby are in like-new condition.

Clearly, this GT500 has been extremely well cared for over its life. Pull the hood pins and underneath is a detailed engine bay. The chrome bumpers look brand new, as do the chrome mirrors on the side, and the doors close with solidity, giving the overall impression of quality. Taking a look underneath shows once again the meticulous care taken; the unrestored undercarriage is textbook and still has the original factory-applied primer and overspray. If all of that wasn't enough, this Shelby is located on pages 956 and 1,148 in the Shelby American Registry and it’s accompanied by a Marti Report. In 1967 there really was nothing that could surpass the Shelby GT500. It overpowered the competition on the track, back streets and straight-aways, and was just plain bad-to-the-bone, giving free attitude adjustments to anyone and everything that stood in its way.