The year 1967 brought a mildly recontoured Mustang body designed to accept Ford’s 390-cubic-inch big-block V-8. In response, Carroll Shelby dropped the Ford Cobra 428-8V engine into the pony car and added a dual-carb intake, creating the top-of-the-line GT500. Although conservatively rated at 355 horsepower, its actual output was closer to 400 horsepower, with an impressive 420 pound-feet of torque.

The GT500 looked the part, too. It had a special front end with a unique hood scoop and grille-mounted driving lights, which gave the Shelby Mustang an unforgettably aggressive demeanor. In the back, rear-quarter scoops and a rear spoiler were added. Additionally, air scoops were added into the side coves ahead of the rear wheels. A roll bar with inertia-reel shoulder harnesses completed the competition flavor of the car.

This freshly restored, award-winning 1967 GT500 is finished in its factory-original color combination of Dark Moss Green over black vinyl and benefits from a rarely seen original specification of outstanding distinction. Correspondence and research from several Shelby marque experts on file note that this car is one of only 43 examples built for 1967 with a four-speed manual transmission and factory air conditioning, of which only six were painted this stunning color and three of which are understood to remain extant.

Its impressive configuration further benefits from extensive factory options listed on an accompanying copy of its original Shelby American sales order—dated 7 June 1967—to Johnny Bolton Ford of Maitland, Florida. Notable selections include an AM radio, deluxe wheels, shoulder harnesses, an oil cooler, power steering, interior décor group, tinted windshield, and front power disc brakes, along with the previously mentioned Selectaire air conditioning.

Shelby American Automobile Club Registry entries list four recorded owners since new. Rather amazingly, the GT500 remained within the care of the same California-based Shelby enthusiast from 1972 until January 2017, when it was acquired by its most recent prior owner and moved back to Florida.

In 2021, the car’s previous owner tapped the highly regarded Shelby Mustang specialists at Tri-City Mustang in St. Charles, Michigan to execute a complete and accurate rotisserie restoration back to original specifications. Upon completion, the exceptional quality and attention to detail of the comprehensive endeavor was immediately confirmed when the GT500 won a coveted Gold Prize award at the SAAC 47 concours in June 2022. Numbers present on the body and engine confirm that the engine block is of a date-correct sequence, complete with the casting code “7C31.”

Now offered for the first time ever at auction, this freshly restored and uniquely specified 1967 GT500 would be a tremendous and noteworthy prize for any collector looking to experience the purest—and earliest—roadgoing expression of Carroll Shelby’s big-block Mustang.