1969 Shelby GT500 Convertible NO 39
Very well restored – highly optioned example - Deluxe Marti Report
428 Cobra Jet Engine, Automatic transmission
Super Rare - one of just 17 built
- Sold new at Gotham Ford, NYC
- Original factory options include:
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- Factory Selectaire Air Conditioning
- Tilt-Away Steering Wheel
- Power Top with Glass Backlight
- Power /Steering – Power Front Disc Brakes
- Body Colored Racing Mirrors
- Deluxe Seat Belts
- Tachometer and Trip Odometer
As noted elsewhere in this book, one of the most important considerations in determining a collector car’s value is its provenance. . . its complete history from ordering and build dates to the present day. Owners of Ford Products built between 1967 and 2012 have an edge in this regard because they have access to Marti Auto Works Reports showing the vehicle’s original factory equipment, scheduled and actual build dates . The Report also shows who the delivering dealer was and how many of that vehicle type, colour, and equipment were built and sold that model year. When it comes to documenting collector muscle cars, because of the Marti Reports, Ford guys have it good!
The 428 Cobra Jet
Dearborn’s Ford Motor Company jumped into the muscle car arms race with both feet on April 1, 1968 with the introduction of the 428 cid Cobra Jet engine in its 1968 Shelby GT 500 KR. “Based on the staid 428-cid big-car engine, the Cobra Jet had larger valve heads and the race-brewed 427's intake manifold. It also had ram-air induction and a functional hood scoop. The scoop mated to a special air cleaner with a vacuum-actuated butterfly valve that funneled air directly into the 735-cfm Holley four-barrel carburetor. Actual output was around 410 hp but Ford officially rated it at 335 horsepower in an effort to calm insurance agents and con dragstrip rules-makers.”
(www.Musclecars.howstuffworks.com)
The massive 428 Cobra Jet engine was carried forward in both the redesigned 1969 Shelby GT500 and renowned Mercury Missile, the XR-7 R Code Cougar, both of which you can see today in the Lang Collection. For the 1969 model year the Shelby GT500 received an extensive face lift with its body increasing in length by 4 inches. A 1969 Shelby advertisement had the heading of ‘Fire and Refinement’ and suggested ‘the Shelby, a very special kind of car… designed for rapid transit in the utmost comfort and luxury’. The '69 and '70 Shelby Mustangs were built entirely at the Ford Plants. Up front, the dual headlights now sat within the full recessed black grill with the Snake in the right corner. The distinctive hood had the air duct system for cooling the engine with five “NACA ducts.” Below the Rear Spoiler is the distinctive styling of full width tail lights. Overall this new exterior look was long and low with racy styling and appearance.
(www.legendarymotorcar.com)
These are very unique and special vehicles. At the height of the muscle car horsepower wars, Chrysler had the Hemi Cuda Convertible, General Motors had the LS6 Chevelle Convertible and, the ultimate Ford was the Shelby Cobra Jet Convertible. Of all the makes and models, Fords are the most easily documented as the Ford records are so publically available thanks to the Marti Reports.
It is amazing to consider but all the classic collector cars mentioned above are to be found for your review and appreciation here in the Lang Collection.