Description
We are pleased to offer this fantastic driving, exceptionally well presented, genuine 1967 Shelby GT500 onto the market. Carroll Shelby's team had been campaigning Ford's Mustang 'pony car' with considerable success in US and capitalising on this, Shelby began manufacturing modified Mustangs. These cars were to be officially sanctioned and sold through selected Ford dealerships. The first Shelby Mustang - the GT350 arrived in 1965 powered by a modified version of Ford's 289ci (4. 7-litre) small-block V8 producing 306bhp, with options of a 340-360bhp unit in competition trim or 400bhp supercharged. In 1967 Shelby went one better when the factory introduced a 390ci 'big-block' V8 option on the Mustang, installing Ford's 428ci (7. 0-litre) Cobra Jet V8 to create the GT500, one of the great, iconic muscle cars of the 1960s.
On the 24th April 1967 C Shelby American Inc invoiced Republic Ford Sales in Houston $3783. 33 for this 1967 Shelby GT500. The car was supplied with power steering, power disc brakes, shoulder harness, fold down rear seat and Select-O-Matic transmission. The comprehensive history file confirms the Shelby was ordered in Houston, and the build was completed three days behind schedule on the 30th June 1967. Paperwork confirms Joe Myers in Houston Texas supplied the car to it's a first owner, a Doctor based in the West of Houston in the City of Katy.
Having spent three years with its first owner, the Shelby sold in 1970 and headed to Austin, Texas where it stayed for seven years. The cars third owner purchased the car in 1977 and owned the Shelby for 11 years. In 1988 the car finally left Texas, going to its fourth owner in Hadley, Pennsylvania who enjoyed a 15-year ownership period. On the 12th August 2003 Maxum Auto, Inc in San Antonio Texas sold the Shelby to its first of three UK owners and it was subsequently imported with all documentation on file.
On arrival in the UK the Shelby had a recorded mileage of 50, 258 and has covered a further 3250 miles since its first UK MOT in January 2004. Over the first 12-24 months in the UK the Shelby was subject of substantial restoration work and a huge file of parts invoices are with the car. The Shelby was stripped down, re-painted and the engine was also stripped and treated to new pistons and rings, new main bearings, con rod bearings, cam bearings, push rods, cam kit, head bolts and new oil drive shaft. In 2008, having spent a fortune taking the Shelby to an incredibly high standard, the car moved locally within Berkshire to its second UK owner who only kept the Shelby for a year. In 2009 the car was supplied to its most recent owner in Henley on Thames by the Mustang Workshop.
Since changing hands 12 years ago, the Shelby has covered just 800/ 900 miles and has been superbly maintained and has arrived with us in exceptional mechanical order. XBL 317E is fantastic on the road offering exceptional performance expected from a 7 litre highly tuned V8. The automatic transmission offers relaxed cruising and is ideal for comfortable long-distance touring. The car feels sharp, responsive and does not disappoint. Cosmetically the Shelby is a delight and does not feel over restored. It has the look and feel of a high-quality original car, it has nicely aged since refurbishment work with a gleaming paint finish, super brightwork and a gorgeous, honest and very rare Parchment interior. This is a usable Shelby GT500, it's a true icon, and XBL 317E is a car that can be driven with confidence and requires no major expenditure having been superbly maintained since restoration and its arrival in the UK. This isn't a concours show car, or a matching numbers example but will suit someone looking for a sensibly priced, genuine Shelby register known GT500 that is to be used and enjoyed and appreciated for what it is. Original colours, known to the club for many years and fantastic fun on the road, this really will not disappoint,
