I was watching tv two nights ago and came across a show called Rides. As it was about the construction of a new Shelby Cobra concept (back in 2004), I was naturally curious. Well, that show got me thinking of Carroll Shelby again and because of that show, I have chosen the last ‘real’ Shelby muscle car for this installment. The 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500.

Now, with that last statement many people will argue that they made the GT500 until 1970 and they are totally correct. What most people do not know however is the fact that at the end of 1967, Carroll Shelby’s lease expired at the Los Angeles International Airport where he had been posting up for the past few years making his fabled GT350’s. When he relocated to Michigan, Ford took majority control over the Shelby Mustang’s and Shelby was reserved for giving input rather than the almost total control he once had. This change along with the restyled Mustang made for a car that was a blend of factory and Shelby engineering.

Unlike its little brother with the high revving 289 motor and few creature comforts, the GT500 boasted a deluxe interior package from a Mustang GT and several body modifications for a more aggressive look. For starters, the front end was lengthened three inches and a pair of extra headlights were nestled in the center of the grill. The lengthened front end as well as the hood were fiberglass units, both to cut weight and cost. The rear of the car received attention as well. The stock Mustang taillights were swapped out for the much wider ones from it’s Cougar cousin. The final product was a flagship Mustang worthy of it’s crown at the top of the Ford pack.

The GT500’s extra 150 in its name meant it certainly boasted a little more power than the GT350. Instead of a high-winding small block, Shelby and Ford dropped a 428 Police Interceptor V8 between the wider fenders of the 67 Stang. This 7 liter monster was not your ordinary 428 Cobra Jet. Tuned with even more performance in mind the 428 was adorned with an aluminum intake and dual 600 cfm Holley four-barrel carbs. The result was a factory rating of 355 horses although numbers up around 400 are more accurate.

The public fell in love with the GT500 and orders were coming in faster than they had for the production of the GT350. This created some problems with Shelby American who could barely keep up with the order sheets that were piling up. As a result of this increased demand Ford had to make some last minute modifications to speed up the process that included the deletion of side lights. Performance lovers could not get enough of the big snake and even at a sticker price of over $4,100 just over 2,000 people ordered and received their GT500’s. Their popularity continues today and the GT500 has been the star of a movie every single car guy has seen. Yes, I am talking about Gone in Sixty Seconds. Although the car in that movie was dolled up a little too much for my tastes, it still looks the part. And hey, with it’s 650 horses before spray I would say it acts the part as well.

Hope you enjoyed your weekly meal of muscle, Big_Blocker out.