78 Actual Mile Supercharged 6 Speed Shelby GT500

In terms of collectability, the best place to start is always with the first and the last editions of a model. This 2007 Shelby GT500 represents the first year that the GT500 returned to the market, and with just 78 miles on the odometer, presents in absolutely new condition. Purchased and preserved by someone who knew exactly what he was doing, this Performance White with Lemans Blue stripes pony car embraces the spirit of the original while delivering more power than any Mustang in history: a nice, round 500.

It's obvious that Ford sweated the details on the GT500, and it's far more than just a decal package on a garden-variety Mustang. The deeper front spoiler, sill extensions, and rear bits have been well-integrated, giving the GT500 a cohesive overall look, and one that will certainly turn a lot of heads on the street. The black front splitter and chunky rear spoiler combine to reduce lift to zero, and also help offset the extra drag generated by the larger tires; the bulging hood has heat extractors for the engine that also help reduce lift. Subtly executed details include the big, shiny exhaust pipes, the thin-spoke alloy wheels, and a nicely applied stripe kit with vintage-look lettering. This one is perhaps the most iconic of color combinations as well, mirroring the 1965 Shelbys that were available exclusively in Wimbeldon White with blue stripes. And as a car that has been perfectly preserved since it was built, you know that everything is in exceptional condition. With everything we know about collector cars these days, it's exceedingly rare to find a low-mile car with storage issues, and there's nothing on this car that could even be considered shelf wear. It is as if you walked up to your local Ford dealer in 2007, and this car was sitting on the showroom floor.

As an evolution of the 5.4 liter DOHC V8 found in the Ford GT supercar, the Shelby's engine delivers incredible power, but is docile enough to drive every day. Enhanced by an Eaton supercharger, it is tractable and makes smooth power almost off idle. It's happy to scream along at 5000 RPM on the track, but it's equally willing to plug through rush-hour traffic in third gear at 20 MPH, letting the muscular idle pull it along without effort. The engine bay is nicely detailed, since Ford engineers knew that people would be spending a lot of time scrutinizing their work. The supercharger lives up high and out in the open, with its intercooler in the V between the cylinder banks. Cool “Powered by SVT” cam covers hide the spark plug wires and provide another nod to the past. This one is almost perfectly preserved, and still carries its original belts and hoses, and has been maintained properly to keep it in top operating condition. It has never been in the rain, so every nook and cranny is assembly line clean.

Unlike other Mustangs, the GT500 received a Tremec T56 6-speed manual transmission with outstanding shift feel and a light, progressive clutch that doesn't feel like it's struggling to restrain 500 horsepower. There's still a live axle out back, but SVT engineers have tamed its shenanigans and the power comes on so smoothly that the chassis is easy to control under almost any conditions. You turn the big steering wheel, and the car darts more rapidly into corners than it should, given how much it weighs. You brush the brake pedal and the car slows immediately, time after time. Hit the gas and it will press you into your seat as the power comes on in a rush and you're flung into the next curve. Brakes are by Brembo, and live behind a set of gorgeous 18-inch alloy wheels that are unique to the GT500. Goodyear even developed special tires for the GT500, 255/40/18 in front, and massive 285/40/18s in back. Heck, this car is so fresh, the tires still show their mold release quills and sidewall markings for mounting and balancing. Don't wash the car or you'll wash away history.

The GT500's interior has been well configured for aggressive driving, but it also has some luxurious touches. Deeply bolstered front seats are as supportive as they are comfortable, and compared to the park benches in earlier Mustangs, it's a vast improvement. Ergonomics are excellent, and for the first time in years, the Mustang had a driving position that was adaptable to almost any driver. Both the steering wheel and the shifter are GT500 specific items that feel substantial, and the red stitching on the shift boot and steering wheel leather sets it apart from other Mustang models. The seats feature an embossed Cobra logo in the seat back, the dashboard is wrapped in black leather (not hard plastic), and it is loaded with power features, including windows, locks, and seats. The gauges are pure retro-cool living in deep binnacles but with clear numbering and SVT logos on the gauge faces, and the dash itself is faced in a brushed aluminum looking trim that works a lot better than some fake wood might. A quick glance at the window sticker confirms that this car also carries the optional $1250 Shaker 1000 audio system, which delivers 1000 watts of ear-shattering power and a toolbox-sized subwoofer in the nicely upholstered and finished trunk.

As a new car purchased for the sole purpose of being an investment, documentation is exemplary. The window sticker is still on the passenger side window, along with the EPA and parts content information. It includes the original manuals, warranty booklet, license plate mounting instructions, and the special Shelby-only packet of information still sealed in its plastic bag.

Investments take time, which is why this car is priced below the sticker price of $44,865. But as the first of the new Shelby GT500s, and indeed the first of an entire lineup of Shelby vehicles, its time will surely come, just as the original GT350 is cherished above all the cars that followed. We've offered investment-grade low-mileage cars before, and they've all found new homes with smart buyers who understand the value of a car like this. It's not a sure thing, but if you have the means to store the car properly, it's definitely smart investing. Fully documented and new in every way possible, this GT500 represents an opportunity that will probably not last long, given how quickly these cars fly out of our showroom. I strongly recommend that you call us today!