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- Chassis # 1FA6P8SJ8L5500138
- Showing Just 5,098 Miles From New
- Finished In Ford Performance Blue Over Ebony Leather Interior With Gray Accents
- Well Equipped With Heated And Cooled Front Seats, Technology Package, And Handling Package
- Powered By A 5.2 Liter Predator V-8 Mated To A 2.65 Liter Supercharger Producing 760hp And 625 Lb/Ft Of Torque
- Sale Includes Original Window Sticker, 2 Keys, Factory Books And Manuals, And Shelby Vehicle Authenticity Certificate
The Overview
Imagine you’re in the late 1960s, own a Mustang, but want a little more ponies out of it. You could either shell out a few more bucks for Ford’s GT package or opt for even more power with a Shelby variant.
In 1965, Shelby began modifying Mustangs with the introduction of the GT350. It used a 4.7 L HiPo K-Code V8 engine modified with a large 4-barrel Holley 725 CFM carburetor that put out 306 hp compared to the 271 hp of the engine’s stock form. The first GT350 focused solely on performance, with comfort and ease of driving taking a backseat. That changed in 1966 with the addition of rear seats, optional automatic transmission, and other features catered towards more casual drivers.
1967 brought the even more powerful GT500, this time equipped with a 7.0 L FE Police-Interceptor V8 engine and two 600 CFM Holley four-barrel carburetors sitting atop a mid-rise aluminum intake manifold. This combo put out an eye-watering 355 hp through either a 3-speed automatic or a 4-speed manual transmission.
While vehicle nomenclature usually refers to a car’s horsepower or displacement figures, Shelby had a different idea. He had his shop foreman walk from the corner of the Shelby building to the LAX property line and count out the steps, which came out to 347. Thus, the GT350 was born. The GT500 received its name for the simple reason that it was a higher number than 350.
Production of the Shelby Mustang nameplate ceased in 1969 but was revived in 2006 with the fifth-generation Shelby Mustang GT-H Hertz rental car and the Shelby GT in 2007. That same year also saw the return of the GT500 version in collaboration with Ford’s SVT division. This storied partnership between the man behind the Cobra and the Blue Oval continued even after Shelby passed in 2012. The latest generation of the Shelby Mustang arrived in 2015 and was based on the sixth-generation Ford Mustang.
The GT500 variant arrived five years later in 2020 powered by a hand-built 5.2-liter “Predator” aluminum-alloy V8 engine with a 2.65-liter supercharger. This monstrous powerhouse shoves 760 hp (567 kW; 771 PS) and 625 lb-ft (847 N⋅m) of torque through a Tremec TR-9070 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. All of this results in a top speed of 195 mph, limited to 180 mph in the US market.
If previous generations of Shelby Mustangs are anything to go by, these cars too will become collector’s items. With the potential extinction of the internal combustion engine looming, these late-generation Shelbies could also see an uptick in value. For reference, CarFax lists several Shelby Mustangs of this generation for just under six figures.
This particular example, Chassis # 1FA6P8SJ8L5500138, is a one-owner 2020 Shelby GT500 purchased from Pacifico Marple Ford in January 2020. The body is clad in Ford Performance Blue over an Ebony leather interior with gray accents. The wheels are wrapped in Michelin PS4S tires with 2-piece vented brake rotors and Brembo brake calipers lurking behind.
Optional equipment on this car includes heated and cooled front seats, the Technology Package featuring an upgraded sound system and safety alert features, and the Handling Package which adds adjustable strut top mounts, an oil catch can, a Gurney flap on the rear spoiler, and splitter wickers with integrated dive planes on the front fascia.
This Shelby was meticulously maintained by its only owner, showing just over 5,000 miles on the odometer. It was frequently displayed at local car shows and retains its stock equipment with no modifications. When we acquired it on consignment, we only treated it to an oil and filter service along with an exterior detail.
As it sits, this is arguably the most fun you can have in a modern Mustang. With more than enough ponies under the hood and a 7-speed transmission, this Shelby will both intimidate the competition at the track and be tame enough to drive on regular roads. It is the culmination of decades of research and experience, all in a package that is worthy of bearing Carroll’s last name. Upon purchase, the new owner will receive the owner’s booklets, both keys, window sticker, Shelby Vehicle Authenticity Certificate, and the original brochure.
The Details
exterior
body and paint
The blue exterior paint and glossy black accents are in fantastic condition, with a smooth and consistent finish. The car is a low mileage example that has always been garaged. The Shelby-specific, black plastic side skirts and front splitters that are often scratched or worn look untouched, and it is clear that this car was very well cared for by its previous owner.
glass and trim
The windows all appear to be original and are clean and clear. The headlights and sequential taillights look pristine. The black trim throughout the car remains in excellent condition, with proper fit and great color.
wheels
The black-painted wheels are in excellent condition without any curb rash or obvious imperfections.
notable flaws
The GT500 logo imprinted into the black plastic of the nose has been painted blue to be more noticeable. It is not truly a flaw, but something that should be noted.
interior
seats and surfaces
The two-tone leather interior is in near-perfect condition. There is no wear that can be seen, and the leather remains tight, with excellent color and stitching. The rear seats appear to have never been used. All high-traffic areas show next to no wear, and the carpets retain excellent color and fit. All the buttons, switches, and knobs look and feel factory fresh.
functionality and accessories
Everything on the interior of the car appears to function as it should. The myriad of settings for exhaust, suspension, and transmission, all function. All the displays and gauges work properly.
engine bay and trunk
engine bay
The engine bay appears stock, clean, and untouched. All the stickers and factory markings are present, and everything looks like it did when it left the factory.
trunk area
The trunk is clean, and the carpet is free of any stains. All the plastic clips and the glow-in-the-dark pull handle are in their proper places. The factory tire compressor is untouched and still in its original plastic.
Underside
The underside of the car is very clean, as you would expect from a well-kept and low-mileage example. Factory stickers and markings are present throughout, and the metal is bright and spotless. There is some scratching on the underside of the front spoiler, as one would expect from such a low car but nothing that is visible without being under the car or that warrants immediate attention.
mechanicals
engine
The Supercharged V-8 engine fires to life easily and with an aggressive bark but then settles into a smooth, consistent idle. The different exhaust settings allow you to adjust the engine’s volume. Out on the road, it makes a tremendous amount of power, and restraint is consistently needed with 760hp beneath your right foot.
transmission
This 7-speed automatic transmission shifts amazingly well in all the different settings, though the rotary knob controller gets some getting used to. The paddles next to the steering work well and are placed nicely.
brakes and suspension
The large brakes have a great feel and stop the large car quickly and easily. The suspension settings all work, and the comfort setting is surprisingly compliant, even with the car’s low-profile tires. Everything feels tight, with absolutely no odd noises or behavior.
tires
The Michelin Pilot Super Sport, on all four corners, have excellent tread. The tires are original, and with a 2019 production date, still a couple of years away from needing replacement.
driving experience
The pony car classification is not apt for this car, as the technology and power level are more applicable to a racehorse. The flat plane crank motor makes supercar power, sound, and delivery. The car initially feels larger than one would expect for a Mustang but grows to feel smaller as you become more comfortable behind the wheel. The different settings are easy to engage and very practical. The car’s capabilities are far above anything that can be explored on the street, but the car is still very rewarding at or below the speed limit. The styling, the sound, and, of course, the power are all truly worthy of the Shelby name.