Miguel Sánchez
Carroll Shelby He tried to succeed with several companies. After fighting in World War II, he tried it in the waste processing sector; no luck. Living in Dallas… he thought it would be a good idea to get into the oil industry; it wasn't his thing either. Later he set up a poultry farm, but soon they all died due to illness. It was as if fate was sending him a message: do not decide with your head and dedicate yourself to your passion. He listened to the signs. And he was right. He entered Formula 1, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 at the wheel of an Aston Martin and, more importantly, founded the Shelby Automobile Company.
Shelby was dedicated to developing the sportiness of cars manufactured in series by other brands. Just as a tamer enhances the qualities of a thoroughbred, Shelby took sports cars to their maximum expression thanks to his modifications. The British version of the AC Cobra was so successful in the US that the model is known there as the Shelby Cobra, directly. Suddenly, Those cars painted blue with two white stripes from nose to rear were on everyone's lips. His little brand was beginning to become famous and the giant Ford held it in high esteem.
SCEPTICISM GIVES THE WAY TO SUCCESS
In 1964, and based on the familiar Falcon, Ford launched a coupe with a popular vocation: the Mustang. The truth is that the launch was plagued with doubts. Even in the happiest forecasts, Ford estimated to sell about 100.000 units and ... already. However, on the first day there were 22.000 requests and, in its first year alone, 417.000 were sold. The car became a mass phenomenon. Almost unintentionally had come up with a magic formula: that of pony car. A typically American vehicle; slightly sporty but easy to use, with a spectacular design but with a contained price, easily customizable and aimed at a young audience.
The success was such that, from the initial skepticism, it has gone on to create a saga that reaches our days through six generations and a multitude of versions. To clarify with them, it is highly advisable to see -and listen- the video that we leave you here below ...
There are so many that, when we think of a Mustang, many variants can come to mind. But nevertheless, There is one that has remained as the one that marks the classic image of the model, at least as far as I am concerned: that of 1967.
THE FIRST UPDATE OF THE MUSTANG: 1967
Spurred on by Ford's success, Chevrolet engineers snapped up and launched the Camaro. To compete with it, the new 1967 Mustang got bigger and fitted with higher displacement V8s.
For those who wanted more sporty features Ford released the Fastback version; equipped with optimized mechanics, it could deliver up to 271 or 321 hp depending on the version. Still, the Mustang Fastback was still an excessively "civilized" sports car. In tests like this one from Autobild magazine We see that neither the soft chassis, nor the gearshift nor the imprecise steering invited to take out the car's full potential. Nor should we take this as a criticism: following the essence of the pony car These are cars that, despite their sportiness, must be able to be driven easily in daily use.
Maybe for that a more extreme preparation was needed. An uncompromising version of everyday comfort. Something radical. It was time to pick up the phone and call Shelby for a very special assignment..
FORD LEAVES SHELBY ROAD: THE GT500
Shelby had been building Mustang models since 1965, but the version he made in 1967 - and of which we are now celebrating its 50th anniversary - has become the most exciting and iconic model for most of the followers of the galloping horse. Based on the Fastback, the GT500 is equipped with a 8-liter V7 engine and 335 CV, with three-speed automatic transmission or four-speed manual. Weighing 1.470 kilos, the 3.225 units made in 1967 were assembled at Ford's Los Angeles factory.
Beyond the technical plane, the mutations that Shelby made in the car can be seen in its body, much more muscular than that equipped in the Ford models. Both the hood and the side air intakes are made of fiberglass, favoring a set that marks the classic image of the model throughout the decades.
The small number of units produced - it was only made during the years '67 and '68 -, as well as the iconic nature of the model, make the price of the Shelby Mustang GT500 prohibitive for the average collector. Even more so if we search versions as special as the Supersnake: one was built, and thanks to the 8 hp V520 it is only beaten in six by another Mustang. It's also a Shelby GT500: the one that in 2015 revived the legend of one of the most exciting American sports cars of all time. Far from being a forgotten legend, and after 50 years, that mythical 500 Shelby GT1967 continues to inspire the new thoroughbreds of this authentic American saga.
* This precious unit was auctioned by Bonhams in June of 2016
