After the raw, track-oriented nature of the original 1965-1966 Shelby Mustangs failed to translate into customer sales, the 1967 Shelby range saw the beginning of a shift in emphasis toward a more civilized, better equipped and uniquely styled vehicle designed to appeal to well-heeled professionals. Based on the '67 Mustang, now longer, wider and more spacious, the Shelby range was expanded to include a big-block derivative for the first time, the GT350 joined by the new GT500 that made use of the hydraulic lifter ?Police Interceptor? 428 engine developing 355bhp at 5400rpm. Despite the additional weight of the larger engine, an extra 100-bhp over the GT350's small-block V8 ensured the GT500 was a formidable weapon on the drag strip. When Motor Trend tested a GT500 with 3.50:1 gears, they achieved a 0-60mph time of just 6.2 seconds and did the quarter-mile in 14.52 seconds at 101.35mph. More civilized the GT500 might have been (automatic transmissions and air conditioning proving popular options), but Shelby insisted on mandatory options like shoulder harnesses, a fold-down rear seat, power brakes and power windows. More distinctive styling set the 1967 Shelbys apart from lesser Mustangs through the extensive use of fibreglass to keep production costs (and weight) down. In total there were 2,048 GT500s made in 1967, all of them based on the fastback body style (unique prototypes of the convertible and notchback were also made) and today genuine examples are highly prized by Shelby and Mustang collectors around the globe.
2006 Aust. International Motorshow Auction
