Original Shelby ‘Stangs are pretty rare and highly collectible because of their exclusivity. However, the “Paxton” holds a special place among them because it’s a dealer-supercharged model.
Available only as a special order upon the customer’s request, the blower on top of the V8 engine added $670 to the sticker price. This fellow here is one of the best examples of the breed, a 1966 convertible built on January 24th that year according to the Marti Auto database.
Paxton GT350 number 01527 is also listed in the Shelby registry, and it’s a numbers-matching pony that also includes the originally build sheet, window sticker, and owner’s manual.
Finished in the correct yet not original Candy Apple Red over a Camel interior, the white-topped convertible is currently sitting idly in the inventory of Duffy’s Classic Cars. Air conditioning, a three-speed automatic transmission, and a 302 engine instead of the 289 are featured.
The 5.0-liter motor spins 3.50 rear gears and 15-inch spoked alloys wrapped in 235/60 15-inch radials. Power steering, power front disc brakes, and drums out the back are three other highlights.
From the exterior to the interior and undercarriage, this car appears to be in great condition despite the rather high mileage on the odometer. The vendor doesn’t mention any restoration or reconditioning in the online listing, nor do we know how much this bad boy actually costs.
Pictured in the gallery and video with 96,485 miles (155,278 kilometers) on the clock, the Paxton-upgraded GT350 is reportedly faster than a 289-cu.in. Cobra. Word has it this difference is straight-line performance is the reason for Carroll Shelby ordering a lot of blowers.
1968 is when the Ford Motor Company took production/conversion duties off Shelby’s hands, and until 1970, the Blue Oval has also offered the supercharging kit as an over-the-counter upgrade on any GT350 or 289-equipped Mustang – regardless of the car’s body style.
Of the 1,457 Shelby GT350 models produced for 1968, 404 were convertibles, of which 190 were ordered with the automatic transmission. The Marti Auto report also lists the original color of 01527 as Wimbledon White, matched with Saddler Decor Bucket Seats, and a white top.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News