Ford is preparing to introduce the Mustang Shelby GT500 for 2020 models, but the legacy of this car dates back more than 50 years. This is why this specimen of the old GT500 is so significant as it shows the tradition and history of motoring.
Recently refurbished by Barrett-Jackson, the car is the first specimen of two coupes ever produced by Ford and Shelby companies. It was originally created as a prototype for the California Mustang, but over time has become a platform for “innovation in design and performance.”
Its features include independent rear suspension, four-wheel brakes and an experimental Conelec fuel injection system. These were revolutionary ideas in the 1960s, and fuel injection did not begin to become commonplace nearly two decades later.
Engine
Type: OHV V-8, iron block and heads
Displacement: 428 cubic inches
Bore x Stroke: 4.13 inches x 3.98 inches
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Horsepower @ rpm: 355 @ 5,400*
Torque @ rpm: 420-lbs.ft. @ 3,200rpm*
Valvetrain: Pushrod operation, hydraulic valve lifters
Main bearings: 5
Fuel system: Conelec electronic multiport fuel injection, electric fuel pump
Lubrication system: Pressure, gear-type pump
Electrical system: 12-volt
Exhaust system: Dual exhaust
