Vehicle Description
With its combination of options, this Gulfstream Aqua with black
deluxe interior 1970 Shelby GT350 convertible, as built, is one of
57 convertibles and one of five painted in Gulfstream Aqua. It has
been rotisserie-restored and comes with a framed Deluxe Marti
Report. The original drivetrain is in good condition. The 1970
Shelby Mustangs have a special history because they are actually
1969 models updated to 1970 specifications by Ford at the Kar Kraft
plant, and are the only cars ever allowed, by law, to carry over
from one model year to another. Facing increasingly stringent
emissions regulations along with in-house competition from Ford
models like the Mach 1 and Boss 302, Carroll Shelby decided to end
the Shelby Mustang program after 1969. However, with cars still in
the pipeline at the A.O. Smith final assembly facility, the
decision was made to update these late-build 1969 Shelbys as 1970
GT350s and GT500s. Externally, twin black hood stripes and a chin
spoiler differentiated the 1970 Shelbys from the 1969s. Also, the
first character in the VIN was changed from a 9 to a 0, an update
that required replacing the driver's-door data plate and the
windshield VIN plate, as well as the all of the factory paperwork.
Due to a new federal regulation that required a locking steering
column, the 1970 Shelby update had to be completed before January
1, 1970. Therefore, the 1970 Shelbys do not have a locking column
like all other 1970 Mustangs. Otherwise, the 1970 models were
equipped with the unique 1969 Shelby components, including a
fiberglass front end, hood with five functional NACA scoops,
functional side scoops, reflective stripes, a rear end with a
duck-tail spoiler and 1965 Thunderbird taillights, a center-mount
exhaust port, 15" 5-spoke aluminum wheels and a roll bar for
convertibles. This Shelby is powered by a 351ci 8-cylinder engine
backed by an automatic transmission. Fully documented in the Shelby
SAAC national registry, this GT350 has had three owners since new,
and its dash is signed by Carroll Shelby.
