Frame Off Restored Shelby GT500 Convertible 428 4 Speed

Here at RK Motors Charlotte we have a tradition of offering you the finest muscle cars in the world. So it's only natural that, when we found this documented Royal Maroon Shelby GT500 convertible, we simply couldn't wait to post it to our website! Equipped with a dealer-installed 428 Super Cobra Jet V8 and an original Top Loader 4-speed, this pristine pony is a world class example of one of the rarest Shelby Mustangs ever produced. At the height of the modern collector car boom, Stephen G. Becker officially appraised the car at $275K. And better still, it's the recent beneficiary of a complete, concours restoration that practically defines the term “investment grade”. If you're a discerning enthusiast who wants to experience the very best of owning a high caliber muscle car, this killer GT500 deserves your full attention!

According to this stellar Ford's Elite Marti Auto Works Report, it was assembled on January 23rd, 1969 in Dearborn, Michigan with the following door data and options:

DOOR PLATE:

* 9 – 1969 model year
* F – Assembled at Ford's Dearborn manufacturing facility
* 03 – Shelby convertible
* R – 428-4V Cobra Jet Ram Air V8
* 641st Shelby Mustang scheduled for production at Dearborn
* 76B – Shelby convertible
* B – Ford #3059-A Royal Maroon exterior paint
* FA – Black Clarion Knit/Corinthian Vinyl hi-back bucket seats
* 30A – Scheduled for production on January 30th, 1969
* 842550 – Home Office Reserve Ordering District under Special Order number 2550
* S – 3.50 locking axle ratio
* 6 – 4-speed close ratio manual transmission

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:

* Black, power convertible top that's complete with a glass backlite
* GT Equipment Group
* 4-speed close ratio manual transmission
* Optional axle ratio
* Traction-Lok differential
* Visibility Group
* Goodyear brand name tires
* Power front disc brakes
* Power steering
* Tilt-Away steering wheel
* Deluxe Interior Décor Group
* AM radio
* Deluxe seatbelts and warning light
* Color-keyed racing mirrors

Assembled one week ahead of schedule, this awesome 1969 GT500 Super Cobra Jet was shipped to John Grappone Inc. in Concord, New Hampshire where it began a 43 year journey through five owners, four states and a brief stint with Phoenix Suns star Dan Majerle. When the current owner purchased the car, he contracted Racetorations of Gastonia, North Carolina to perform a complete, rotisserie restoration. During that restoration, the car's body was fully dipped and stripped to absolute bare metal. That bare metal was wrapped in a correct coat of Royal Maroon basecoat, accented with correct tip-to-tail stripes and buried in a thick clearcoat shell that displays a fantastic shine. That glossy shell was shipped to Walt Pierce in Huntersville, North Carolina for a complete mechanical overhaul. And presently, this exclusive Ford sits as a no-questions-asked show car that, according to its expert appraisal, is an era-correct conversion performed by a factory Ford dealer.

In an attempt to give their star flagship a more luxurious look for the 1969 model year, Ford designers penned a Shelby-exclusive front end that was very contemporary. The car's fenders and hood, which are both fiberglass, create a large rectangular grille opening that's detailed with an off-set Shelby emblem and seven inch halogen headlights. Below that grille, ornate parking lamps flank a large valence that's filled with correct Lucas driving lights. At the sides of that valence, a smooth and modern profile trades traditional Mustang ornamentation for integrated brake ducts, bright chrome door handles and small “428 COBRA JET” emblems. At the top of that profile, like-new glass rides between a fresh black top, color-keyed race mirrors and a functional ram air system that utilizes five NACA scoops. Behind that glass, a solid fiberglass decklid is augmented by traditional Shelby extensions to create a prominent rear spoiler. And below that decklid, '65 Thunderbird tail lights illuminate a pristine spoiler insert, a showroom-fresh bumper, chrome trimmed reverse lamps and a unique aluminum exhaust collector.

Now that you've waded through all the flowery prose about paint and stainless trim, it's time to get down to business! Lift this Mustang's glossy Maroon hood and you'll find an authentic 428 cubic inch SCJ V8 that wraps stout 12 to 1 compression in an October (J) 15th (15) of 1968 (8) casting date. Long regarded as one of the meanest big blocks ever created, Ford's fabled Super Cobra Jet utilized revised heads, heavy duty Le Mans connecting rods and a nodular iron crank to ensure Shelby-branded Mustangs remained the kings of stoplight muscle. At the top of the Ford Blue mill, functional ram air feeds a correctly painted and decaled air cleaner that's sealed onto a big Holley 4150. At the sides of that carburetor, finned aluminum valve covers hang over fully restored exhaust manifolds that breathe through factory replacement pipes. In front of those manifolds, a correct points distributor sequences fire from a reproduction Autolite voltage regulator to fresh Autolite plug wires. And below those wires, reproduction Autolite hoses circulate water through era-correct screw clamps and a tagged Ford radiator. Aesthetically, the exceptionally detailed engine bay appears very close to original and features an even coat of satin black paint under factory grease marks and bright Ford decals. Everything, from the motor's silver accessory brackets and new stainless fuel lines to the bay's tagged Autolite Sta-Ful battery and tightly braided fluid hoses is fully sorted and ready to go. And there's even an old school smog system that adds both interest and value!

Take one look under this Mustang and you'll find exceptionally clean floors that were completely replaced during the car's extensive restoration. Behind the brutal 428, an original close ratio Top Loader 4-speed, which wears a 1969 428/429-specific “RUG-AE2” tag, spins a correct Ford nine inch Traction-Lok rear end that's complete with stout, interstate friendly gears. At the front of the car, a correctly marked torsion bar suspension holds a beefy sway bar and factory-optioned power steering between correct power disc brakes. At the back of the car, a correctly marked leaf spring suspension hangs correct drum brakes at the edges of a fresh stainless fuel tank. And in the middle of the car, a correct factory replacement exhaust system funnels spent gases through a familiar H-pipe crossover, small resonators and a hand-welded transverse muffler. Power flows to the pavement through 15 inch Shelby wheels which consist of aluminum center sections that are welded to chrome steel rims and wrapped in correct F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs. And everything from this Mustang's Powermaster mini starter to its external oil cooler performs as good, or better, than when the car rolled out of the factory.

Take one look inside this awesome GT500 and you'll find a completely restored Deluxe Clarion Knit vinyl interior that features hi-back bucket seats and enough style to swerve down the red carpet. Those rebuilt and recovered thrones are in spectacular shape both front and back, and there's no evidence they've endured any of the traditional sun damage convertibles are known for. In front of those seats, a warp-free dash trims an 8,000 RPM tachometer, a 140 MPH speedometer, a correct passenger's clock and a familiar Philco radio in great looking wood applique. Below that dash, a full-length console centers a traditional chrome shifter between Auto Meter accessory gauges and switches for the car's fog and courtesy lamps. At the bottom of that console, new black carpet is bordered by Shelby sill plates and protected by heavy duty rubber floor mats. Above that carpet, sculpted door panels mix more great looking wood trim with bright stainless and correct Shelby emblems. Above those panels, a correct Shelby roll bar rides behind crack-free visors and a vivid Carroll Shelby autograph. In front of the driver, an upfitted Rim Blow steering wheel adds a little form to essential function. And behind the passengers, a fully restored trunk hangs correct decklid decals above a correct Space Saver spare tire.

The sale of this Shelby-registered Mustang includes: the framed Marti Auto Works report outlined above, the 2006 appraisal mentioned above, the car's original Shelby plates, a large stack of restoration receipts, a pile of restoration photos, a short ownership history, a copy of Hemmings Motor News that features an ad for the car, a couple of vintage shop manuals, a vintage Shelby parts catalog, a couple of vintage sales brochures and a set of radial tires.

There are few cars that have the kind of attitude and presence of classic Shelby Mustangs. Documented, fully sorted and one of the best restored Shelbys we've ever had, this '69 GT500 drives and sounds every bit as good as it looks. If you've always wanted to own the ultimate Ford muscle car, here's your chance!