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The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering will host a historic reunion of the first three Shelby G.T. 500 cars ever built — their first appearance together in California since serving as company cars for Shelby American in 1967. Coordinated by The Shelby Research Group, the display will include the first fastback, coupe, and convertible that launched Shelby’s big-block Mustang program.
This showcase of the very first 7.0-liter Shelby G.T. 500s complements the event’s dedicated Shelby Mustang G.T. 350 class, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the legendary small-block model.
In 1966, fresh from Ford and Carroll Shelby’s victory over Ferrari at Le Mans, Shelby American unveiled plans for the 1967 lineup — introducing the 428-8V “Ford Cobra” big block alongside the proven 289 HiPo, adding distinctive fiberglass body components, aggressive styling, and, for the first time, convertible and coupe variants.
“Built in November 1966, these three cars were ordered identically — Candyapple Red with luxury black interiors, fully optioned with Select-Shift automatics, air-conditioning, Mag Star wheels, and AM radios — exactly what you’d expect for public-relations cars,” said Brian Styles, Shelby historian and organizer of the display. “They became the first dual-quad big block Mustangs produced by Ford — and the first G.T. 500s serialized and completed by Shelby American.”
The fastback (#0100) was completed first, followed by the coupe (#0131) and convertible (#0139). The fastback fulfilled its role as a magazine test car, but production bottlenecks and other problems prevented further coupes and convertibles, leaving both as one-of-one builds.
The G.T. 500 Special Display Cars — as documented by The Shelby Research Group:
Fastback, s/n 67411F--0100 — First multi-carbureted Mustang built by Ford, most expedited Shelby G.T. from the San Jose plant, and the first G.T. 500 serialized/completed by Shelby American. Served as the inaugural big-block PR test car. One of the most photographed and road-tested Shelbys. Presented by Eric Johnson.
Coupe, s/n 67411H9A00131 — Only multi-carbureted Mustang coupe built by Ford and only G.T. 500 coupe completed by Shelby American. Second serialized/completed G.T. 500, only documented supercharged example, and precursor to the 1968 California Special. Driven regularly by Shelby Engineering Manager Fred Goodell, who nicknamed the car “Little Red.” Presented by Craig Jackson.
Convertible, s/n 67413C9A00139 — Only multi-carbureted Mustang convertible built by Ford and only G.T. 500 convertible completed by Shelby American. Third serialized/completed G.T. 500, used personally by Carroll Shelby and later disguised as a 1968 model for factory advertising photography. Presented by Brian Styles.
After Shelby American’s California facility closed in August 1967, company cars and assets moved to Dearborn under the new Shelby Automotive Company. The first three G.T. 500s continued to serve engineering and marketing roles through 1968 before being sold to Ford dealers in early 1969 and making their way into private hands — completing their intended purpose from regular production to retail ownership, albeit with several exceptional chapters inserted to their stories along the way.
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