1969 Shelby GT350-H

Description

What makes a muscle car valuable? Use this 1969 Shelby GT350-H as your guide. Only 150 Hertz "Rent-A-Racers" were built in 1969, plus it's got matching numbers, lots of options, plus a ton of documentation for the $100,000 restoration. You want provenance? This amazing Shelby practically defines the word.

Only a handful of cars were built in Grabber Green, so few that even the factory documents call it "Special Paint." It looks awesome in the sleek, elongated Shelby, and it's a far cry from the more distinctive (but more ordinary) 1966 models. The revised nose erases almost all traces of Mustang, which is only really apparent in profile where you get arguably the best-looking fastback Mustang ever created. The tail got its own makeover as well, and thanks to the wonders of fiberglass, they could create an all-new look without a major investment. The restoration was done to an incredibly high standard with more than $100,000 invested in the process and quite honestly, the fiberglass hood and trunk lid fit a lot better than they did originally. Coming out of Florida, where it was originally delivered, you won't find a straighter Shelby anywhere. It's just spectacular.

Inside it offers Ford's handsome white Clarion Knit bucket seats, just to make it look a little racy. Shelby added their usual roll bar and shoulder harnesses, and experts will note that this car was originally optioned with a very rare Swing-Away steering column, which has been replaced with a conventional tilt column, which is a lot more practical. The markings on the gauges are still crisp and sharp, including the two on the center console, just ahead of the shifter for the 3-speed FMX automatic transmission. Plenty of faux wood emphasized the Shelby's luxury/touring intentions, and the clock mounted on the passenger's side is a thoughtful touch. The car also includes factory A/C, now powered by modern hardware working behind the scenes to make it that much more effective. The Marti Report says an AM radio was original equipment, but you'll surely appreciate the correct AM/FM/cassette stereo unit that lives there now. The trunk is also finished correctly with a nice-fitting mat and a spare tire cover in the same material. Oh, and of course, there's a Carroll Shelby autograph on the glove box lid, something no respectable Shelby should be without.

Ford didn't make it easy for us to verify matching-numbers today, but this car carries a full set of photographs documenting all the hidden and hard-to-access numbers throughout the chassis. That is the original, numbers-matching 351 Ram Air engine, and it snarls and cackles like a true performance car should. It was detailed when it was rebuilt 1000 miles ago, and probably looks better than factory fresh today. It was built to drive and it's properly tuned, which means that it's still up for doing what Shelbys do best, and you shouldn't be afraid to bury the pedal and open all four barrels every chance you get. The car's warm-weather history shows most clearly underneath, where it's beautifully finished with proper red oxide floors, reproduction markings and decals, and a correct dual exhaust system. 3.00 gears on a Trac-Lok 9-inch are a great choice for cruising comfort, and those pretty alloy wheels were created especially for the '69 Shelbys, with these wearing modern 235/60/15 white letter radials.

Documentation includes a Marti Report, original owner's manual, receipts, photos, and an ownership history. Your heart knows why this Shelby is cool. But it's also the kind of car that can convince your mind that it's a smart investment. Call today!