1967 Shelby
Mustang GT500 Tribute
Over $180,000 in receipts
An over-the-top muscle car with unmatched performance
510 cid – 700 hp V-8 engine
5-speed Tremec TK0600 manual
transmission
Carroll Shelby, who had won the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans with Aston
Martin and driven factory racers for Austin-Healey and Maserati,
gained everlasting fame when he mated an American Ford engine with
a British-built sports car from AC to create the immortal Cobra.
Always looking for an opportunity, Shelby leveraged his
relationship with Ford to manufacture modified Mustangs that were
sanctioned by the factory and sold through selected authorised
dealerships. The first Shelby Mustang arrived in 1965 and became an
instant classic, but the second generation upped the performance
ante with the installation of the 428 cid Cobra Jet Big Block V-8.
Far more popular in period than its smaller engined sibling, the
GT500 sported a fiberglass nose and tail section for reduced
weight, functional hood scoops, and a number of options that could
improve both performance and comfort. With such a vaunted
reputation, it is no wonder that so many tributes have been built,
replicating the memorable appearance, but raising the performance
stakes to heights that would never have been possible in
period.
The Motorcar Offered
This modern interpretation on an iconic formula started out as a
Mustang GT with a 390 cid Big Block V-8. Although the body
celebrates ‘Eleanor,’ what lies beneath is an unrestrained monster
ready to devour any other car in its path. With more than $180,000
spent creating this rolling passion project, there is almost
certainly nothing else like it in the world. Among the
modifications carried out are a Ford Ken Craft Racing 427 cid
engine with an aluminium block that has been stroked to 510 cid and
mated to a Demon 4-barrel carburettor, Edelbrock Victor 427 intake
manifold, and JBA performance exhaust headers. The entire package
is good for more than 700 bhp. Additional upgrades include an
aluminium radiator with twin electric cooling fans, Currie modular
rear axle with 3.25 gears, side exit exhaust with electric dumps,
subframe braces, and a Tremec TK0600 5-speed manual transmission
with a hydraulic clutch. Also included are a 4-link rear suspension
with coil over units front and rear, Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes,
drilled and slotted brake rotors, Budnik custom wheels, rack and
pinion steering, power windows, air conditioning, custom seats,
Corbeau harnesses, relocated battery, custom painted fiberglass
headliner and custom one-piece dash. A nitrous system has been
installed, but never used. Difficult to replicate and impossible to
beat at the stoplight, this is a muscle car for the enthusiast that
wants something extra special to park in the
garage.
Estimate: $75,000-80,000
