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69 or 70 GT500?

Started by Brian350, January 24, 2026, 09:03:04 PM

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Brian350

I'm torn. What do you all think? Do you see the 69 or the 70 as a better investment? I'm looking to buy either a 69 or 70, looked at 4 so far, I can see the minor differences between the 69 and 70, but is there a difference in long term value? I'm looking for one in red, calypso coral or grabber blue, anybody have one for sale? Let me know...

FL SAAC

1970 models are technically "leftover" 1969s that Ford revined and re-titled to move inventory. Its a unique story that appeals to some.

We would go with the GT500 428 vs the GT350 351


Hardtop vs convertible what's the saying...as the top drops, prices goes up

Best of luck on your endeavors
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

Home of the Amazing Hertz 3+1 Musketeers

I have all UNGOLD cars

Not a SHELBY expert

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.

J_Speegle

I hesitate to discuss "investments" since in general cars are not really great for that purpose. Lots of people loose money or do not get a return on their time ad related costs over time. You didn't mention if your thinking about purchasing a reburbished, really restored or a project. That will likely have one of the biggest impact on your bottom line over the whole ownership. Also r

Bottom line as I see it is that condition and originally is more important than the year. In fact IMO color and options are more important also. Find the best and buy the best car for you. Remember that no two cars are the same so comparison can be difficult.




 For investment IMO I would look for the car that started as the best car you can afford. 500's will almost always cost more to purchase, may have had more abuse , and cost a bit more to restore if they are not complete when you purchase the car. General restoration cost are very similar but of course better body, less rust or other damage will also reduce restoration cost.

Also not many are equipped to evaluate a car completely  so if you don't know A LOT get some help. IMHO that will be your best investment for the whole "plan". Plenty of past threads that offer the exact some recommendation
Jeff Speegle- Mustang & Shelby detail collector, ConcoursMustang.com mentor :) and SAAC Concours Advisor

Brian350

Quote from: FL SAAC on January 24, 2026, 09:25:26 PM1970 models are technically "leftover" 1969s that Ford revined and re-titled to move inventory. Its a unique story that appeals to some.

We would go with the GT500 428 vs the GT350 351


Hardtop vs convertible what's the saying...as the top drops, prices goes up



Best of luck on your endeavors


Thank you, GT500, 428 CJ is the one, just a question of finding one...

Brian350

Quote from: J_Speegle on January 24, 2026, 09:58:20 PMI hesitate to discuss "investments" since in general cars are not really great for that purpose. Lots of people loose money or do not get a return on their time ad related costs over time. You didn't mention if your thinking about purchasing a reburbished, really restored or a project. That will likely have one of the biggest impact on your bottom line over the whole ownership. Also r

Bottom line as I see it is that condition and originally is more important than the year. In fact IMO color and options are more important also. Find the best and buy the best car for you. Remember that no two cars are the same so comparison can be difficult.




 For investment IMO I would look for the car that started as the best car you can afford. 500's will almost always cost more to purchase, may have had more abuse , and cost a bit more to restore if they are not complete when you purchase the car. General restoration cost are very similar but of course better body, less rust or other damage will also reduce restoration cost.

Also not many are equipped to evaluate a car completely  so if you don't know A LOT get some help. IMHO that will be your best investment for the whole "plan". Plenty of past threads that offer the exact some recommendation


Thank you, good points all, and my thinking is tracking with yours. Definitely don't want a project, want a road ready super clean driver. Doesn't have to be a concours restoration, but it has to be done and clean. And yes, I am getting a LOT of help and this forum has been a great source!

Bill

Quote from: Brian350 on January 24, 2026, 09:03:04 PMI'm torn. What do you all think? Do you see the 69 or the 70 as a better investment? I'm looking to buy either a 69 or 70, looked at 4 so far, I can see the minor differences between the 69 and 70, but is there a difference in long term value? I'm looking for one in red, calypso coral or grabber blue, anybody have one for sale? Let me know...

If you did not realize, there is a classified section here on the forum, specifically a wanted subforum:
https://www.saac.com/forum/index.php?board=51.0

To get your wants and needs met, I suggest you stop and think, then write your ad so that others know exactly what you are looking for. GT350/GT500, fastback/convertible, options like AC, etc and so forth. The right car to meet you wants and needs is out there, it just needs to find you, and vice versa.

As for investment purposes, I'd suggest dropping that idea from the process, the car is not always an investment, and the market will fluctuate up and down over time. Instead, focus on the joy of having your wants and needs fulfilled and treat the car as the toy that it is. However, as Jeff has already stated, and as someone who has been on both sides of the spectrum, buy the best that you can afford. Finally, regardless of which direction your go, make certain that you get a pre-purchase inspection, no matter who you buy from.
If on facebook, there is a group specifically for the "1969-1970 Shelbys" that has a few active sellers.

Best of luck with your search, sometimes that in itself is half the fun

Bill
Instead of being part of the problem, be part of a successful solution.
HOW TO IDENTIFY A FORUM TROLL
https://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=16401.0

Coralsnake

#6
Anyone remember when KR convertibles routinely sold for $350k and then dropped to $150k?

Or how about the guy that bought the car on BaT for a $100k and just sold it for $80k Warms my heart
Shelby Historian. Check out theCoralsnake.com

I'm looking for 9F02M480004. Have you seen it?

Royce Peterson

Quote from: Coralsnake on January 25, 2026, 06:03:16 AMAnyone remember when KR convertibles routinely sold for $350k and then dropped to $150k?

Or how about the guy that bought the car on BaT for a $100k and just sold it for $80k Warms my heart


Pete knows what he is talking about and Jeff does too. These cars are a terrible "investment" for the uninformed. If you know these cars and live and breathe them stuff can and will go wrong. Be sure you know what you are getting into before you do.
1968 Cougar XR-7 GT-E 427 Side Oiler C6 3.50 Detroit Locker
1968 1/2 Cougar XR-7 428CJ Ram Air C6 3.91 Traction Lock

jimhyc

Here's my .02 cents for what it's worth...... Last July I bought a '69 GT500 after a year long search. During that time I looked at quite a few cars and did a lot of research. It's best to be prepared when an opportunity presents itself. Learn what is correct, date codes, part numbers,  have a registry-read the history of the car, have an expert lined up that can help you. know what missing parts are going for so you can figure that into the value. Really think about what you want with condition, options and know your limits on what you can do on your own and what it will cost for someone to fix on the car. Personally I avoid auctions and BAT. Why pay a 5-10% premium for the privilege of buying a car. Also there is the paper trail that goes to DMV for the added cost of registration and tax. A private sale on a 55 year old auto is much easier. I never really look at my cars as an investment, we never really know where the market will go. But going in well educated and avoiding all the extra hidden costs of commissions, buyer premiums, transportation, missing parts makes it easier to try and sell if you ever decide to do so.
1969 GT500
2005 Saleen S281
1967 Mustang
1965 Galaxie 500
1969 Thunderbird
1988 Turbo Coupe
1928 Pierce Arrow
1930 Pierce Arrow
Prior cars
1967 GT500
1970 GT500
1968 KR
1970 BOSS 429
Daytona Coupe, 427 Cobra - kits
1971 BOSS 351

Brian350

Quote from: Bill on January 25, 2026, 04:45:50 AM
Quote from: Brian350 on January 24, 2026, 09:03:04 PMI'm torn. What do you all think? Do you see the 69 or the 70 as a better investment? I'm looking to buy either a 69 or 70, looked at 4 so far, I can see the minor differences between the 69 and 70, but is there a difference in long term value? I'm looking for one in red, calypso coral or grabber blue, anybody have one for sale? Let me know...

If you did not realize, there is a classified section here on the forum, specifically a wanted subforum:
https://www.saac.com/forum/index.php?board=51.0

To get your wants and needs met, I suggest you stop and think, then write your ad so that others know exactly what you are looking for. GT350/GT500, fastback/convertible, options like AC, etc and so forth. The right car to meet you wants and needs is out there, it just needs to find you, and vice versa.

As for investment purposes, I'd suggest dropping that idea from the process, the car is not always an investment, and the market will fluctuate up and down over time. Instead, focus on the joy of having your wants and needs fulfilled and treat the car as the toy that it is. However, as Jeff has already stated, and as someone who has been on both sides of the spectrum, buy the best that you can afford. Finally, regardless of which direction your go, make certain that you get a pre-purchase inspection, no matter who you buy from.
If on facebook, there is a group specifically for the "1969-1970 Shelbys" that has a few active sellers.

Best of luck with your search, sometimes that in itself is half the fun

Bill

Thank you. Yes, I am aware of the cars for sale forum here, and I may post there soon...appreciate your input!

Brian350

Quote from: Coralsnake on January 25, 2026, 06:03:16 AMAnyone remember when KR convertibles routinely sold for $350k and then dropped to $150k?

Or how about the guy that bought the car on BaT for a $100k and just sold it for $80k Warms my heart

Indeed!

Brian350

Quote from: Royce Peterson on January 25, 2026, 07:23:32 AM
Quote from: Coralsnake on January 25, 2026, 06:03:16 AMAnyone remember when KR convertibles routinely sold for $350k and then dropped to $150k?

Or how about the guy that bought the car on BaT for a $100k and just sold it for $80k Warms my heart


Pete knows what he is talking about and Jeff does too. These cars are a terrible "investment" for the uninformed. If you know these cars and live and breathe them stuff can and will go wrong. Be sure you know what you are getting into before you do.


Yes

Brian350

Quote from: jimhyc on January 25, 2026, 07:40:18 AMHere's my .02 cents for what it's worth...... Last July I bought a '69 GT500 after a year long search. During that time I looked at quite a few cars and did a lot of research. It's best to be prepared when an opportunity presents itself. Learn what is correct, date codes, part numbers,  have a registry-read the history of the car, have an expert lined up that can help you. know what missing parts are going for so you can figure that into the value. Really think about what you want with condition, options and know your limits on what you can do on your own and what it will cost for someone to fix on the car. Personally I avoid auctions and BAT. Why pay a 5-10% premium for the privilege of buying a car. Also there is the paper trail that goes to DMV for the added cost of registration and tax. A private sale on a 55 year old auto is much easier. I never really look at my cars as an investment, we never really know where the market will go. But going in well educated and avoiding all the extra hidden costs of commissions, buyer premiums, transportation, missing parts makes it easier to try and sell if you ever decide to do so.


Yes, this is exactly my thinking. Been working on this for about 6 months, talked with a lot of people, looked at 4 cars so far and gotten a LOT of help. Thanks!