I have a soft spot for the 1968 GT500KR, but some recent experiences have given me a new appreciation for the 1969-70 era cars. The Shelby/Mustang evolved dramatically over its short lifespan. With so much variation, which one do you connect with most and why?
They are all great cars but for me the Hertz version is the one I identify with true most. Doesn't hurt that over the past 30+ years I've had 3 of them. I also like the non-black ones best. Cheers
Your first post and already your stirring the pot?
::)
Of course you know everyone will have a different opinion. They are all special for their own reasons.
'65's for the brute track set-ups
'66 for their slightly refined street - track performance
'67 for their GT40 influenced design and GT500 intro
'68 for the convertibles and cobra jet engines
'69 for their muscle car performance and luxury options
The 67's. But, of course I own one.
But, lately it is the weird one offs, drag cars, off the wall colors, odd ordered optioned ones I find interesting.
When I was growing up my family was into big blocks. As a kid, I always was drawn to the looks of 67 Shelbys the most. Those dual quad 428s under the hood, GT40 style scoops, mag stars, and aggressive longer nose.
BUT once I went for some hot laps in 5R100 and a track prepped 67 GT350, I changed to wanting a performance enhanced 67 GT350. I still have big block cars and my car is a pleasure to drive and goes like hell too!
Love them all but if I can have only one, it's a 67 350 for me.
Being the original owner of my KR convertible, it's hard for that to not be my vehicle of choice. I also have a '67, obviously a fastback, that I enjoy. Driving with the top down is what I like most. So that rules out 65 and 99% of 66. I have never been in a 69-70 convertible, but they look great. Also have an '08 GT500 convertible and a Cobra substitute, so that shows my preference for topless models.
^^ I'm with you! I have 5 collector cars, all convertibles. I like my cars and women the same way...TOPLESS! ;D
Different ways on different days. Hit me with your best shot. Practicality means nothing to me anymore.
This one.........................
Quote from: Richstang on February 15, 2018, 10:54:53 AMOf course you know everyone will have a different opinion. They are all special for their own reasons.
I agree, there is no right or wrong answer. Just a chance to hear what draws other enthusiasts to their particular favorite :)
Which one is yours?
For me, it is the '67 I have. Only thing I would change if I could would be a Parchment interior. I didn't have to have a Big Block, but it did have to be Nightmist, Inboards and a 4-speed.
I also love '66/'65s and '70/'69s.
Only Mustang I would take over a Shelby is a '69 Boss 429. Preferably Burgundy or Black Jade.
For me it's the carryovers. When I set out to buy a Shelby (almost 40 years ago) I found that the early cars appealed to me the most – the 65's & 66's. Between those two years I liked the raw performance of the 65's, but wanted the cool appearance features of the 66's (side scoops and quarter windows). What to do? Then I discovered the carryovers, which are a nice combination of the 65 performance and 66 appearance features that I wanted. A sort of best of both worlds to my way of thinking. So that's what I bought and I've never regretted it.
Having expressed that preference, I have to say that there's not a Shelby made that I don't like. They each have their own special magic. And in the middle of the hot & humid Texas summers I sometimes dream of having a 1969 GT350 with AIR CONDITIONING. Ahhhh... cool air. Yes!
Steve
'68 KR!!! don't matter about color ;D
Dad drove Buick Roadmasters in the 50s. Electra 225's in the 60's. An Impala 402 Turbo Jet in the late 60's because the 454 he wanted was an extra $252? My brother graduated high school 1973. Dad gave him a $1000 budget for a car. 1965 Notchback Mustang was the result. I graduated 1977 with the same budget and got a 1965 fastback. Dad we need a convertible. Found a 65 soon after. Added to collection. We need a Shelby to add to the collection. Looked at 65-66 back in the day since that is what we had. For two years. Way before internet. Found 1968 Convertible in the newspaper in 1979. Hi Mickey! Done deal. I found my 68 convertible to match the one Dad bought. Hi Tim! My brother and I have two of the 35 68 GT500's 4 speed A/C cars! Guess which is the favorite to identify with!
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And missed posting a picture of mine just had a birthday Feb 13. #872. And my brothers Feb 12. #423 . Will try to put a picture of the two of them soon.
I love all the '65-'70 Shelby cars, but I'm partial to '67 GT350's. My Dad and I were always into cars, mostly Vettes and Tri 5 Chevys. He asked me what I wanted to work on next and I said a Mustang. So back in 1987, my senior year of high school, I saw a '67 GT350 (#2585) advertised in the local WI auto trader. We went and looked at the car and it turned out to be a California rust free car sitting in a barn in Wisconsin. I remember the emotion that came over me when the seller slid the barn door open and backed the Shelby out into the January winter snow. I couldn't stop staring at the car. My Dad made a deal with the seller and bought it for me. I was hooked and obsessed with Shelby cars at that point, especially '67's. I still own that car today and plan on never getting rid of it. It will always remain in my collection.
Huge fan of the R models. Crude, lethal, obnoxious and beautiful.
For me performance includes turning so big blocks are out. Additional weight is also a problem so 65-66 is preferred. In other words give me an original 65 or early enough 66 to have the 65 chassis tricks.
I identify with the Shelby that won on the racetrack, whuppin' the Corvettes but good. That was good ammo to use for taunting the Chevy lovers in my high school.
Hmmm, that was the '65, right ? I never owned one of those, but did get a lot of enjoyment razzing the bow-tie crowd.
;)
Z
69. My first year of high school. At the time I really appreciated the more aggressive appearance than the standard mustang.
Quote from: 2112 on February 15, 2018, 03:22:16 PM
Only Mustang I would take over a Shelby is a '69 Boss 429. Preferably Burgundy or Black Jade.
We can find you one someday
My 68 GT350's birthday was February 12 as well. But the numbering thing really confuses me because mine is #2034. How can the numbers be so far off? The only thing I am wondering is if the date I have off the Marti report is the Metuchen date and you have perhaps the Shelby conversion complete date?
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 16, 2018, 09:18:56 AM
My 68 GT350's birthday was February 12 as well. But the numbering thing really confuses me because mine is #2034. How can the numbers be so far off? The only thing I am wondering is if the date I have off the Marti report is the Metuchen date and you have perhaps the Shelby conversion complete date?
Mine is Feb 14-68. -01107.
Have owned many 65-70 Shelby's in my life.
Always loved the 67 GT 350 the most, especially the early cars, #45 .
With respect,
John
Quote from: 2112 on February 15, 2018, 03:22:16 PM
For me, it is the '67 I have. Only thing I would change if I could would be a Parchment interior. I didn't have to have a Big Block, but it did have to be Nightmist, Inboards and a 4-speed.
I also love '66/'65s and '70/'69s.
Only Mustang I would take over a Shelby is a '69 Boss 429. Preferably Burgundy or Black Jade.
Amen all the way around! The 67 I have has lit a fire in me that won't go out. I love the the styling, handling, astetics...I love it all!
That said, I do have an affinity for 65-68 Shelbys, specially, 65s (especially the R models), 66 carryovers, 67 small blocks, and 68 KRs...preferably fastbacks.
And, just like 2112, the only Mustang I would ever take over a Shelby is a 69 Boss 429. My colors would be Raven Black, Royal Maroon, Candyapple Red or Wimbledon White. Basically, all but Black Jade. ;D
69 convertible, 500 or 350, 2nd choice 66 350 any color but white. phred
As a 15-year old high school sophomore I found an ad in the local (Syracuse, NY) newspaper for a 1969 Shelby for $1200. The car was being sold by Household Finance Company (HFC) in Solvay, NY and me and my buddies went down to take a look, even though it would be a year before I could get a driver's license and I was about $1000 short of the asking price. The car was a red GT500 convertible with white interior and top and it was rough! Ran hard and put away wet, it looked like it had been sitting under an oak tree for 50 years although the car was less than 10 years old at the time. But I fell in lust with that car! A true Shelby fixer-upper!
I pestered the loan officer with several follow up calls and visits trying to get him to take a lower offer. He finally agreed to $600 cash if I could bring the money by Friday. So I began working on my parents to borrow the additional $400 I needed. No deal. I was crushed and had to walk away from the opportunity but I've never forgotten that car. I still wonder whatever happened to it. I never got the VIN so it would be hard to research.
It's probably for the best anyway as I would likely have driven it in the snow and possibly even wrapped it around a tree.
It took another 40+ years but I finally got a Shelby. My tastes changed a little bit and I got a 68 GT350.
I would have to say the SC Cobra, although a GT 350 would look really nice next to it. ;)
65,66 carryover,67.....
I love 65's with their barely street legal, no frills, just everything needed to go fast. I know other cars had more horsepower, but the package delivered by the 65 is just great. From the Detroit locker rear, side exit exhaust, wood steering wheel, dash pod with tach, fiberglass hood, koni shocks etc. Nobody ever forgets a good ride in a 65!
The fact that they were even made is incredible.
65, because that was the most significant year for SAI racing and all his competition cars won. Besides the Cobras & Daytonas, the '65 GT350's have direct racing pedigree. Driving a 65 is a physical & visceral experience no other muscle car I have driven comes close to (I haven't had the privilege of driving a Cobra). Not to diminish the other years - I would love to have one of each year in my stable, but picking one, for me it has to be a 65. IMHO.