1969 Shelby GT-500 Convertible
Price :
$240,000
Trans :
428 Cobra Jet 4V
Engine:
Exterior:
Interior:
Automatic
Silver Jade
White
Mileage:
75000
SOLD, SOLD, SOLD
High quality, heavily detailed GT-500 with no miles since restoration.
There were 245 Shelby GT-500 convertibles made, making them the lowest production numbered convertible Shelby made during his actual 60's build period outside the handful of 66 convertibles. The former holder of the title was the 68 KR Convertible until records were uncovered bumping its production run up to xxx units. This Shelby was built 1/9/69 and comes fully detailed, restored, no miles since restoration a number of years ago. It comes with a deluxe Marti Report and photos as well as receipts dating back to the restoration done in the 90's. Per the Marti it is a 1 of 1 car, but also a very low population as optioned. It has stunning curb appeal and is a strong performer.
1969 Shelby GT-500
Vin 9F03R480123
Build Date 1/9/69
Short, Quick Check-List
· Correct Block
· Correct Transmission (does not have R code servo)
· Correct Paint
· Correct rear end (not correct date code)
· Correct “S-tube”, Heath shield, snorkle
· Correct Carb
· Correct intake, heads, and exhausts for 428CJ, dates not known for heads or exhausts
· Correct “Ford” script glass and headlights
· Original sheetmetal
· Correct “Spare” and canister
· Correct radio
· Correct steering wheel
· Correct top
· Correct belts/hoses
· Multiple records of rebuild work
· Deluxe Marti Report
· Large number of Shelby Registry Records
Known “needs”
· Missing smog system
· Some seat belts missing date codes
· Underbody – clean, but incorrectly detailed
· Incorrect, non-Shelby gauges in console
Basic Overview
The Shelby is one of 13 with these paint and trim codes, and one of only 3 equipped with a 3:50 Traction-Lok rear end out of 244 GT-500 Convertibles for the 1969-70 model year.
For many years the champ collector car of the big block convertibles (in-so-far as limited numbers) was reputed to be the GT-500KR. Claimed to have had only 218 examples. Once all the modern records were compiled the 69 GT-500 big block was discovered to own that title with just 244 models while the 68 KR actually had 517…more than twice as many!
If you are a true numbers purist, there were only 4 Shelby 1966 convertible GT-350’s, augmented in 1980-83 with 12 “continuation” cars. There were no 1967 convertibles. There were 403 1968 GT-350 convertibles, 1 GT-350 Hertz convertible, 402 GT-500 convertibles, 1 Hertz GT-500 convertible and 1 Hertz GT-500KR convertible. 1970 convertible production (left over 1969’s) amounted to 57 GT-350 convertibles and 90 GT-500 convertibles.
These figures are per SAAC records. Accordingly, this car is one of a total Shelby convertible population of 1732. As such, convertibles represented just 22.8% of the total population of 7604 Shelby’s built from 1965-1970.
This car comes with a Deluxe Marti Report, its original individual order sheet (3907) dated 6/23/69, its original Shelby Automotive Co., Inc invoice #04596 dated 6/24/69 and its original Pre-Delivery Service Sheet dated 6-15-19. Additionally, it comes with dated receipts going back to 1/10/97 (in the form of a Texas Title).
The car is well documented in the Shelby Registry. It was originally sold to William Eustance, Jr. on 7/10/69. Other previous owners include Redeker Pictsre, Larry Thomas (88), Bob Gaines (92), Kelly Schultz (96) and Curt Pictrowski (00). Current owner and the 6th formal owner is Curtis Burton purchased 5/10/21.
The car is in #1 condition. It was completely restored during the period of 2006-2009 including a rebuild of major components, repaint to the original silver-jade color together with the engine and transmission having been completely gone through. At the time of this work, photo evidence shows the car as having 57274 miles on 8-1-2007. Today the car carries an odometer reading of 57467 miles and the condition of the undercarriage post the 06-09 restoration is a testimony to the fact that there really have only been about 200 miles on the car since its restoration. The car carries a 2 inch thick binder and multiple photos of the 06-09 restoration showing the motor and transmission being pulled, the vehicle being stripped to bare metal and all necessary repairs being properly executed. Receipts for the restoration are extensive. Normally, this far distanced in time, these photos and records would not be relevant facts. However, given that the car has been driven so sparingly and the condition of the car is so close to the restored condition – all these items are important.
Equipment: 428CJ (completely rebuilt – with receipts/photo evidence), automatic, 3:50 Traction-Lok, PS, PDB, black top, white interior, Silver Jade Paint, Tinted Glass, AM radio. It was originally shipped to MccAfferty Ford in Trenton, New Jersey.
Record Packet
The following record packet accompanies the vehicle:
Two inch binder of 06-09 restoration with 137 photos of the restoration from commencement to end.
Receipts major restoration work and parts purchased (one inch thick binder with originals).
Further photos – additional current day photo jump stick is included with photos of major numbers of interest and material from the Shelby registry regarding vehicle specifics, as delivered data, ownership history and specific vehicle registry data.
Documentation and Provenance
With the value of these collector Shelbys sky-rocketing Provenance and documentation should be your #1 priority when evaluating and eventually purchasing one of these collector items. This car ticks all the boxes when it comes to documentation and provenance. There are photos showing the all important inner-fender VIN’s that are not visible when the car is assembled. Absent these VIN’s – you have a Mustang made to look like a Shelby!
Numbers:
Inner Fender Numbers
Both inner fenders (confirmed by photos) carry the 9F03R480123 VIN of the vehicle
VIN Plate
The vehicle VIN plate is in place, original and carries the correct VIN – 9F03R480123.
Door Tags
Door Tags are in place with all data that matches the Shelby Registry information, as does the car itself. Door tags appear to be reproductions.
Carb
The carb is stamped C9AF-N, 4280 – correct for an automatic 428CJ. Receipts are included for a complete rebuild of this unit.
Engine Block
Date code (adjacent to oil filter) as recorded by photo is 9A3 – 1969, January 3. Per the Marti report the actual build date for the car was 1/9/1969, so this block is correct for the car. Please note: this COULD BE the original block based on the fact that some CJ motors had partial vins, some did not. Without definitive proothis is the block that came in the car or a partial vin the only true statement that can be made is that it is date correct and COULD be the original.
Intake Manifold
Date code on the manifold (at the rear of the manifold) is 9E17, or 1969, May 17. INCORRECT for the car’s build date.
Rear End – 3rd Member
The rear end 3rd member is dated 8L27. This equates to November 27, 1968, so it is date correct for the vehicle.
Heads
Heads are C8OE part numbered CJ heads, so correct for the vehicle. Date codes have NOT been checked.
Belts and Hoses
Belts and hoses are period correct markings from Marti Auto.
Headlight Bulbs
Correct “Ford” logo headlight bulbs.
KNOWN NEEDS
The undercarriage has been heavily detailed, but is is not correct. It is very attractive and is extremely clean, but it was painted in gloss black vs the correct flat grey or red primer. Upper and lower a-arms are completely black where they should be natural metal on the ends. Many of the “factory” paint daubs are incorrect, but are present.
The smog system absence is the most noticeable item missing under the hood. These are available, but as is the case when the car was produced, adding this back in hurts performance and adds to cooling issues.
Seat belt labels missing on some belts are a relatively simple and inexpensive fix.
Gauges in console are incorrect type. They measure the correct things, but are not the original Shelby type gauges. A $400 fix with correct type reproduction items. We have a set of these in the box that the new owner can install.
Ratings of various components – scale of 10
Paint – 9.5 of 10
Underside cleanliness – 10 of 10
Engine bay detail – 9 of 10 due to missing smog, otherwise, excellent
Interior – 9.5 of 10 due to missing seat belt labels, incorrect gauges
Tires – 10 0f 10
Top – 10 of 10
Overall condition of vehicle/paperwork/driveability –9.5 out of 10