Frame Up Built Shelby GT500 Tribute 428 PI V8 4 Speed

For most of us, it's easy to remember the days when Shelby Mustangs were still fun driver's cars. While it wasn't that long ago, it seems nothing more than a fading memory these days. Authentic Shelby cars have pulled six figure sums for years now, making the real deal out of reach to most of us and too collectable to drive for the rest. If you've been priced out of the Shelby market, or maybe you simply want a great Mustang that you can drive and enjoy the way Shelbys were meant to be driven, take a closer look at this 1967 Mustang that has been upgraded to GT500 specifications. With a period correct look and, most importantly, a real deal 428 Cobra Jet under the hood, this car offers an authentic driving experience for under half the price of a comparable original.

Ask most enthusiasts what their favorite Mustang is and the 1967 Fastback will make the short list every time. The lines were still 100% Mustang but the car was now bigger and more aggressive than its predecessor. The sharp lines of this '67 are covered in a glossy coat of dark blue that does a great job of highlighting the laser straight body panels beneath. There are no hood stripes present – only the traditional rocker decals, giving this car a more low key look than many Shelby's. Looking over the exterior it's clear that paint and body were a priority during the restoration process. There are not any noteworthy imperfections – just miles of a rich blue paint and accurate reflections.

The paintwork is capped off by a lengthy list of attractive and authentic trim. At the leading edge of this slick GT500, a pristine chrome bumper splits a body-matched fascia completed by round halogen headlights, driving lights and Shelby badging left-justified across a black grille. At the top of that grille, a lightweight fiberglass hood features a menacing scoop and traditional hood pins. Follow the lines back and you'll find like-new glass framed by bright stainless trim, spotless stainless wipers and a correct chrome mirror. At the sides of that glass, correct Shelby scoops and fender caps combine with factory fresh Cobra emblems, dent-free rocker moldings, correct wheel lip moldings and traditional chrome door handles to provide an aggressive, yet finished appearance. At the back of the car, a Shelby-exclusive decklid hangs a second “SHELBY” script over traditional Shelby tail lights, a handsome Cobra fuel filler, a second chrome bumper, highly detailed reverse lamps and bright chrome exhaust tips.

The impressive detailing extends under the hood, where a freshly rebuilt 428 Cobra Jet has been installed. Painted the correct shade of Ford corporate blue, the block has been bored .40 over, fitted with a Crane cam and topped with Canadian CJ heads. If you're not familiar with the backstory, these are the 72cc “cheater” heads used in the days of factory-backed Super Stock competition. Ford used the “Canadian spec export head” story to keep them NHRA legal. In the center, a medium-rise intake makes room for two 650cfm carburetors tucked neatly under an oval Shelby air cleaner. Several correct hoses, clamps, and clips were used throughout the engine compartment, resulting in a mostly stock looking bay. Only the Motorcraft battery and Mallory ignition detract from the look, but it's hard to argue their presence. A three-core radiator is perched up front, cooling the engine through FoMoCo-branded hoses. Rated at 335 horsepower, it's no secret that these engines made quite a bit more than that, with most experts settling on the idea of 410 horsepower and a monstrous 440 pounds of torque from a stock Cobra Jet. Factor in the cam and heads and you've got one hot pony car on your hands. The 428 rumbles to life easily and pulls with an endless well of torque that will absolutely incinerate those BFG tires.

Take a look under this GT500 and you'll find clean, detailed floors that are every bit as solid as the car's straight exterior panels. Behind the car's legendary V8, a wide ratio four-speed transmission spins a Ford 9-inch rear end that's equipped with versatile 3.50 gears. At the front of the car, a rebuilt double A-arm suspension holds a correct sway bar between factory power disc brakes. At the back of the car, a rebuilt leaf spring suspension holds correct drum brakes at the edges of a new stainless fuel tank. In the middle of the car, ceramic headers connect to a factory replacement true dual exhaust system, funneling spent gases through an H-pipe crossover to a pair of excellent sounding mufflers and bright chrome tips. Power flows to the pavement through 215/65R15 BG Goodrich rollers that are wrapped around 10-spoke wheels and gold Shelby center caps.

Inside this killer pony car's impressive cockpit you'll find a correct black bucket seat interior that appears to be a combination of both factory trim and high quality restoration pieces. Naturally, Shelby focused most of his energy on the performance and exterior appearance of the car. When those attributes were combined with Ford's already excellent Mustang interior, it paid big dividends. The first thing you'll notice is an old school wood rimmed and chrome trimmed steering wheel which still sits on its factory column. Above, a great looking dash frames a set of carbon fiber-faced AutoMeter gauges which keep tabs on water temperature, speed, revs, fuel and oil pressure. Beneath the original AM radio, a set of matching auxiliary gauges monitor voltage and vacuum. In front of that dash, knitted vinyl seats are in spectacular shape both front and back, and present no evidence of sun damage or any other common issues. There is no center console here – only the shifter jutting out through the floor. As a fairly small performance-focused interior, it's not missed either. The open space highlights the fresh black carpet stretched tight between Shelby branded sill plates and correct Shelby laps belts. Above, a sturdy black roll bar hangs correct Shelby shoulder belts just below a fade-free headliner. At the sides of the cockpit, black door panels feature excellent stainless trim, spotless chrome handles and fresh wood accents. At the back of the cockpit, familiar Shelby pillar vents ride above a Sport Deck rear seat which folds down to reveal a surprisingly spacious cargo hold complete with a correct trunk mat and full-size spare.

Included in the sale is enough vintage paperwork to make you question if this is a tribute car after all. Dealer brochures highlight the finer points of the GT500 while an authentic owner's manual puts all those selling points in Ford marketing speak. Vintage-appearing spec sheets make great car show accessories while a stack of receipts verifies the work that has been performed in detail.

There's a very good reason why Shelby GT500s are so valuable today – they're fast, fun cars that carry a lot of history with them. For many people, the essence of the automotive hobby is to have fun with the hardware, and doing it with a tribute car like this one is a great way to have all the fun without the financial headaches. This is a fast, fun early Mustang that's sure to turn heads everywhere it goes. If that sounds like your scene, don't hesitate to put this slick '67 in your garage today!