Photo: Graham Rahal Performance/Instagram
A machine such as the 1969 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 doesn't need extra assets to stand out. However, the example we have here packs just that - as it turns out, we're looking at one of the just ten examples that were built for Japanese market export.
The GT500 was brought to our attention by Graham Rahal Performance - the motorsport fans among you are probably familiar to the name, since we're talking about an Indy Car racer here, one who continues the legacy of his father, three-times Indy Car champion Bobby Rahal.
And yes, as you'll notice in the first social media post below, the muscle toy is currently up for grabs - no, that Japanese market destination doesn't involve a right-hand drive conversion, but the speedo shows kph rather than mph, for instance.
The cabin comes in original trim, featuring the sport deck rear seat and seems to be in brilliant shape, while the build sheet and the Shelby line sheet are provided.
While the original GT350 was more of a racer for the road, the GT500 juggled such velocity assets with grand tourer features, especially in terms of the suspension setup. For one thing, it shouldn't suprise you to see that this toy comes with air conditioning and power steering.
Note that we're dealing with a three-speed auto here, while these machines were also offered with a four-speed manual back in the day. The unit works with a 335 hp 428 ci (7.0 L) V8, the only engine for this slab of muscle car history.
In fact, 1969 was the end of the line for the American GT500 - Carroll Shelby and the Blue Oval each decided to pursue their own interests, so their collaboration came to a halt in the summer of the said year.
Ford introduced a serious facelift for the 1969 GT500, with the body gaining at least 4 inches (100 mm) in length. In fact, while the automaker didn't build such models in 1970, unsold '60 models saw their VINs being "corrected" to display this year under the FBI's control.
And yes, as you'll notice in the first social media post below, the muscle toy is currently up for grabs - no, that Japanese market destination doesn't involve a right-hand drive conversion, but the speedo shows kph rather than mph, for instance.
The cabin comes in original trim, featuring the sport deck rear seat and seems to be in brilliant shape, while the build sheet and the Shelby line sheet are provided.
While the original GT350 was more of a racer for the road, the GT500 juggled such velocity assets with grand tourer features, especially in terms of the suspension setup. For one thing, it shouldn't suprise you to see that this toy comes with air conditioning and power steering.
Note that we're dealing with a three-speed auto here, while these machines were also offered with a four-speed manual back in the day. The unit works with a 335 hp 428 ci (7.0 L) V8, the only engine for this slab of muscle car history.
In fact, 1969 was the end of the line for the American GT500 - Carroll Shelby and the Blue Oval each decided to pursue their own interests, so their collaboration came to a halt in the summer of the said year.
Ford introduced a serious facelift for the 1969 GT500, with the body gaining at least 4 inches (100 mm) in length. In fact, while the automaker didn't build such models in 1970, unsold '60 models saw their VINs being "corrected" to display this year under the FBI's control.
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