In a world dominated by red Ferraris, I like Maranello-built sports cars finished in other colors. I don’t know why, but I’d take a yellow or a green “prancing horse” over a red one any day of the feel. And I feel the same about 1960s Shelby Mustangs painted Wimbledon White, Candyapple Red, or Raven Black. They look a bit mundane in my book.
Not that I’m in the market for a first-generation GT50, but if I were, I’d go for one finished in Bronze Metallic, Lime Gold, or Nightmist Blue. Sure, the latter is not as flashy as the other two, but it’s a great alternative to black. It’s dark and exudes elegance, but it has its own thing going on when hit by sunlight. And as this 1967 Shelby will show you, it’s a cool hue on a GT500.
Sporting a stunning exterior likely resulting from a recent restoration, this GT500 is a mix of refreshed and all-original parts. While the Nightmist Blue coating is relatively fresh, the interior is all-original. The cabin shows a bit of weathering here and there, but it doesn’t have any cracks, and it’s in fantastic condition overall. Especially for a vehicle that left the assembly line 57 years ago as of 2024. And it still rocks the factory rollbar and Shelby decor items.
Behind the sexy grille with centrally mounted lights lurks a V8 engine with original valve covers, air cleaner, and exhaust manifolds. The carburetors are also original but have been rebuilt and replated. Our host doesn’t specifically say whether the block is numbers-matching, but we’re definitely looking at an authentic 428-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 of the “Police Interceptor” variety.
The mill is topped by a pair of Holley four-barrel carburetors and a mid-rise aluminum intake manifold. These were part of the Shelby tweaks that gave the mill a factory rating of 355 horsepower and 420 pound-feet (569 Nm) of torque. These figures pushed the GT500 from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in 6.5 seconds and across the quarter-mile in about 15 seconds.
1967 was the first year for the GT500. Introduced a couple of years after the GT350, the GT500 packed more oomph but lacked the track skills of its lighter sibling. In addition to the dark blue you see here and the familiar white, black, and red, the 1967 GT500 was also available in Bronze Metallic, Dark Moss Green, Metallic Grey, Lime Gold, Brittany Blue, and Acapulco Blue. The interior was available in black or parchment.
Shelby produced 3,251 Mustangs in 1967. The GT500 was the most popular, with 2,050 units made. All but two examples left the assembly line with the fastback body style (Shelby made one coupe and one convertible).
The only thing keeping this Shelby from being classic car perfection is the automatic transmission. I’m not bothered by the lack of a three-pedal setup, but four-speed GT500s are definitely more sought-after nowadays.
