SHELBY GT500 A.K.A ELEANOR

In 1967 the new 1967 Mustang was followed with a new Shelby. It featured a 1967 Mercury Cougar tail light panel minus the chrome trim, a flip-up spoiler, and two sets of air scoops on each side. This was also the first American car to feature a factory roll bar. The GT350 still featured a 289 Cubic-Inch V8.
This year also saw the introduction of the GT500 alongside the continued GT350. The new GT500 featured a 428-CID (7 L) big-block V8. This is also one of the most famous Shelby Cobras.
A convertible prototype of the GT500 was made in 1967, which was designated to be scrapped. Before Ford Motor Co. could destroy the prototype, it was stolen. The car was eventually recovered by Ford and sold as '68 with the marque Shelby Mustang.



Production: GT350 1,175 units, GT500 2,048 units.


1968 introduced the Shelby Mustang, a high performance Ford Mustang version of the Shelby Cobra. Power steering, a single carburetor and hydraulic camshaft made this a musclecar for the masses. The Shelby GT350 Mustang sported a 302 cubic-inch V8 while the GT500 came equipped with the 428 cubic-inch Police Interceptor engine. In February 1968, the GT500KR "King of the Road" debuted; under the hood was a 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet V8 which was rated at 335 horsepower (250 kW). Due to a production strike, some early 68 GT500's had a 390 cubic-inch V8. Also in 1968, production of Shelby Mustangs switched from Shelby's shop in California to A.O. Smith Company in Michigan.