Ford Mustang history with Carroll Shelby’s 1969 Ford Mustang GT500 article highlights:

• Carroll Shelby’s personal 1969 Ford Mustang GT500 is headed to the Mecum Auction in January 2023. 
• The big-block Mustang packs a 428 Cobra Jet V8 and a three-speed C6 automatic transmission into a bright Candyapple Red exterior. 
• Shelby’s Mustang last sold in 2018 for $96,320 and was also owned by an Academy Award-winning actor before Shelby owned it. 

Ford Mustangs have a long tradition of special editions and historical namesakes. However, no name has the same recognition as “Shelby” when talking about Ford’s pony car. At the heart of the Shelby and Ford connection was the racing royalty himself, Carroll Shelby. Now, Shelby’s personal 1969 Mustang GT500, a piece of Ford Mustang history, is headed to auction. 

What was Carroll Shelby’s personal car?

Carroll Shelby owned many incredible cars. For instance, his original Cobra, CSX2000, is on display in Boulder, Colorado. Also, his own twin-supercharged big block CSX3015 was a sister car to a vehicle that Bill Cosby owned and went on to kill its subsequent owner. However, one of his coolest and lesser-known cars is this Candyapple Red 1969 Ford Mustang GT500.

The muscular example of Ford Mustang history flashes black stripes, cobra badging, and block-letter Goodyear Eagle GTS tires. However, under the hood is where the magic happens. Shelby’s old mount packs a 428 cubic-inch Cobra Jet big block V8 rated at 335 horsepower. Of course, those figures are widely regarded as misrepresented, and the Cobra Jet likely made much more horsepower. 

How much is the piece of Ford Mustang history worth?

Although this 1969 Ford Mustang GT500 sold at auction in 2018 for $96,320, the bright red big block car might be worth a lot more. The winning bid from 2018 reflected a comparable value to a Shelby GT500 in good condition. However, Hagerty says that an example in excellent condition is worth closer to $125,000. Furthermore, the immaculately preserved or restored ‘Concours’ condition cars are worth around $158,000. 

Still, Carroll Shelby wasn’t the car’s first owner; Academy Award-winning actor and director Jackie Cooper also owned the Mustang. So, with the list of famous folks who owned the red Shelby, this car should fetch even more than that $96,320. 

When will Shelby’s historic Ford Mustang head to auction?

Carroll Shelby’s 1969 Ford Mustang GT500 is headed to the auction block on January 4, 2023. If you want to follow this bit of Shelby and Ford Mustang history, you’ll have to check out the Mecum Auction in Kissimmee, Florida. Either way, it will be fantastic to watch that car roll out to an enthusiastic crowd. 

What other cars did Carroll Shelby own? 

In addition to the 1969 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Carroll Shelby owned many crazy cars. Not surprisingly, Shelby owned many cars associated with his name and work. For instance, he owned a 1982 Dodge Shelby Charger Prototype, a vehicle that Shelby helped create in a partnership with Dodge. In addition to the Charger Prototype, Carroll Shelby had many Dodge Shelby vehicles, like a 1987 Shelby Charger GLHS. 

Moreover, Shelby owned V8-powered killer coupes like a 1987 De Tomaso Pantera GT5-S and a 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR. Scroll down to the following article to read more about Shelby and Ford Mustang history!