1969 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang (LHD)

Description

Ford made significant changes to the Mustang in 1969, making the original Ponycar wider, longer and with more options than ever before, including numerous high performance models. Not to be outdone, Carroll Shelby went in for some radical changes to his Mustangs as well, his designers coming up with a unique appearance thanks to completely front-end styling, an extended bonnet (with no less than five ducts to let air in and out), integral chrome bumper bar and rectangular driving lights. Functional fibreglass scoops on either side directed air onto the rear brakes, with different designs employed on the fastback and convertible variants, while the rear deck ended in a raised spoiler and tail light treatment unique to the Shelby range and quite different to other Mustangs. Inside, the Shelby featured a Deluxe interior with an integral roll-bar, additional gauges for oil pressure and an ammeter, 8000rpm tacho and 140mph speedo. A new five-spoke Shelby wheel was the only style available, colour co-ordinated with the exterior paintwork. The 1969 Shelby range again consisted of the GT350, now with a 351-cid V8, and the GT500, using the 428-cid big-block V8. Using a cast iron intake manifold, aluminium valve covers and Holley 735-cfm carburettor, plus Ram-Air induction, the GT500 made 335 bhp at 5200 rpm and was available with either a Top-Loader four-speed or C6 automatic transmission. The GT500 was certainly no slouch, capable of reaching 60 mph in just 6 seconds flat and doing the quarter mile in 14 seconds, figures that still look impressive today. With relatively few ever made (combined 1969-1970 GT500 production reached 1,534 units in total), the last of the Shelby line is a highly desirable American muscle car, one that perfectly blends style with brute power.