‘67 GT500 number 683

[BeaterGT500]

1967 Shelby GT500 number 683 notes July 2026
Currently fully operational with the exceptions of the horn (wiring within the button seems faulty) and the ammeter gauge is disconnected.  Just under 400 miles on car since rebuild.
Drivetrain:
Engine and transmission are not the original born-with units. As documented in the SAAC registry, the engine was replaced under a customer service work order at Stark Hickey Ford in Michigan. The close ratio Toploader four speed transmission is the correct model for the car, just not the one that it was born with.  Correct original shifter body and linkage with repro chrome lever and knob (honestly I hate the factory shifter, and struggle with it in 3rd gear.  I would put a Hurst shifter in if I kept the car.)  The rear is the original unit, including the SPEC carrier and 31 spline axles.  Originally built with a 3.25 ratio open end axle, I have upgraded it to a Trac-Lok style differential with 3.89 Richmond gears.  Tons of fun with this setup and the torque curve of the engine.
Engine block is correct C6ME-A 428 with correct heads, C7ZX intake, polished Le Mans valve covers and BJ-BK Holley carbs which are dated for a 1963 Galaxie 427 R code.  Carbs, linkage and fuel log were fully restored by Drew at Air Fuel Spark.  Block has been bored .040 with typical internal mods to improve oil flow. Using a rare Super Stang Shop finned aluminum Cobra T-pan.  Compression is approximately 10:1 and it runs well on ethanol-free 90 octane with 30 degrees of timing.  A Crane hydraulic roller cam was installed as well as JBA stainless Tri-y headers and custom 2.5" dual exhaust with Dynomax mufflers, with a removable H pipe for easy transmission access if needed.  This exhaust system sits close to the floor (no low hanging collectors) and sounds great.
Correct dual point distributor in place with bronze gear for roller cam.  Non-correct or reproduction pieces under the hood include the water pump, T-stat housing (a correct one is available), fan shroud, fan clutch, and fuel pump.  I do have a set of the original iron log exhaust manifolds, as well as a pair of NOS intermediate exhaust pipes with the correct resonators available to buy separately.

Suspension:
All factory power steering components were fully restored by Chockostang. Assembly line brake booster is in place, with the original master cylinder, original front calipers, and NOS rear brake drums.  Front rotors are modern one-piece units. Rear leaf springs were lost so OEM spec Detroit Spring leaf springs are in place. At one point a set of under ride traction bars were installed so the rear spring plates still have the brackets welded on. New Open Tracker upper and lower control arms were installed with roller bearing spring perches.  Factory original coil springs and front sway bar are in place. A set of period-correct NOS orange KONI shock absorbers are in place.
Original used suspension and brake parts were all kept, but replaced due to safety:  front shocks, brake drums and rotors, upper and lower control arms.
A new driveshaft was made for the car.  The factory pinion snubber and bracket are missing from the axle, but both original rear leaf spring snubbers are in place.

Wheels:
A set of five original KH Mag Stars are included, and are in very good condition.  I chose to use a set of original Ten Spoke wheels with new BFG rubber instead.  One set comes with the car, the other may be purchased separately.

Body:
All original fiberglass, no reproduction parts.  The factory installed nose was crushed beyond repair in the center, so another used factory nose was actually found, and installed. All side scoops are original to the car, as is the steel framed fiberglass deck lid, one piece fiberglass hood, and quarter end caps.  Rear brake scoops are functional.  Tail light panel is the early flat style, and the tail light boxes are the correct originals.  The hood is in need of repair, but is in overall good shape. It's still wearing the "disco" era metal flake paint and skunk stripe applied by some previous owner. 
Rust repair - Being a NY car it had typical rust issues needing repair.  Rather than do "full panel replacement" and create even more panel gap problems, we opted for a surgical approach to the areas needing repair.  This way, we kept as much of the factory seams and panel joints intact as possible.  All of the body work was performed by Dave Mackey in Arlington, WA.  Dave is a highly trusted and respected member of the Shelby and Ford community in the western US and is a master fabricator, with a number of historically important Shelby restorations under his belt.  While in his hands, the following metal work was done:
Full rotisserie strip down to bare metal by media blasting. Upper and lower cowl replacement, full floor pans both sides, torque box, lower rear quarter patches and drop offs, and some inner and outer wheelhouse patch work in the lower corners.
The original radiator support was thrashed, so a NOS one was installed.  Original front aprons remain intact with Ford numbers, and the Shelby VIN stamping on passenger shock tower is clear.  Original Shelby VIN tag in place.
Both original doors were rotten so a pair of rust free OEM 1967 doors are in place.
The fenders currently on the car are both incorrect (one is a repro, the other is a '68).  I have both original fenders the car was born with (rusty bottom structures, dented, and with rolled lips) as well as a nice pair of used OEM '67 fenders I was planning to use on the car.  All of these go with the car.

Interior:
Factory original roll bar is in place, with both original Y belts and the retractors are still functional.  Original seat belts front and rear.  Original gauge pod and steering wheel with GT500 horn button.
Dash is painted parchment, so are the doors.  All original interior fiberglass and metal parts are there, most already painted parchment.  I have the full set of deluxe seat plastics with perfect original stainless trim.  Factory original dash pad and A-pillar pads are in good shape. Door grilles and lights also intact and in good shape.  I have a few sets of deluxe door panel stainless outer trim and inserts to be included.  Needs all new carpet, seat upholstery, headliner, and door panels.  The original dash trim parts are in place but worn, and worthy of restoring, rather than replacing with reproduction parts, IMO.
Glass:  factory installed non-tinted door glass and rear window included but not installed.  Currently has lexan race windows glued in front and rear.  Original front windshield was broken and tossed.
Chrome- both bumpers and door handles are repro. Both door side mirrors are NOS units.  I do have front windshield trim pieces in good shape, but the rear window trim is mostly gone or badly worn. The wing window frames need to be rechromed.

In summary, this car is about 80% finished and I did not cut corners or do things incorrectly to save a dollar.  A tremendous amount of time was spent researching the process, finding the right missing parts, and finding the right people to do various aspects of the restoration.  Without the help of SAAC management and members, I could never have gotten this Shelby back together.
It was a very rough starting point, but it's worthy of every dollar and hour spent to bring it back to life.  All factory finishes were replicated wherever possible, in case the restoration led towards concourse rather than driver.  Correct overspray here and there, etc.
After working on this project for over 23 years, I needed to get behind the wheel before committing to even more years lost and dollars spent, so I opted to get it roadworthy and drive it in stripped down format before making it perfect.  The look is honestly what I built all my models as a kid in the 70's to look like - no hood, velocity stacks, big rear tires and racing stickers on the fenders.  Call it what you want, I think it's bad ass and mean.  People do a double-take when they see the original Shelby VIN tag and realize it's not some tribute or Eleanor fastback.
My health and family needs are leading to this decision to sell before finishing it to factory specs.  This particular Shelby has not been offered for public sale since the late 1970's.  It has documentation with the SAAC registry, including an interesting story with the engine replacement out of warranty.  It's one of roughly 50 cars built with these options and colors, and one of the most desirable.  Center lights, functional scoops, 4 speed, Brittany Blue and the super cool and rare parchment gut.  It has it all.
But to me, it's perfect as it is now.  Find a country road, and haze the rear tires in any gear with just a tap dance and a hand shake.
Offering as-is now, or it will go in for full completion of paint and interior to 100% stock, and offered for a lot more.
Thinking $175k might get it done now. I need a vacation.

[alexgt350h]

I've sent you a PM.
Thanks
Brent

[6S896]

PM'd

[TA Coupe]

I personally love it the way it is. I know, I'm a Rebel hahaha

    Roy