1967 Shelby GT500 Convertible (The World's Rarest Muscle Car)

Sooooo, were you aware that there was only ONE 1967 Shelby GT Convertible ever built? The factory-equipped dual-quad ragtop was assigned to Carroll Shelby and later became the 1968 styling prototype & photographic car. It started like this: On August 15th, 1966, three 1967 Mustangs were ordered by Shelby America. (One Fastback, one Coupe, and one Convertible.) These special-ordered Fords would become the first production line big-block Shelby GT 500’s built.

Ordered in the highly desirable color combination of Candy Apple Red with a white top and black deluxe interior, the car was built in November 1966, and received Shelby American sequence number 0139.

In April 1967, this lone convertible was refitted with prototype fiberglass body parts so that it could be extensively photographed for print ads, brochures, and dealer literature to promote the upcoming 1968 Shelby GT Cobra cars.

In addition to its rarity and desirability, this one-off 1967 Shelby GT Convertible also lays claim to being the only big block GT convertible built by Shelby American, Inc. (Los Angeles), the only dual-quad carbureted Shelby GT (or Ford Mustang) convertible built, one of two 1967 model year vehicles to be classified as "1968 Prototypes", and the most expensive GT 500 company car in Shelby American's inventory (FY-1967). Pretty wild, right?

Once Shelby took delivery of these cars, the convertible was designated as a "company car" and was assigned to Carroll Shelby himself, who was known to loan the car to friends and family, celebrities, and Ford Motor Company executives. (too bad I didn't know him, perhaps I could've borrowed it...well, that and the fact that I was five years old then...that didn't help.)   Unfortunately, Carroll Shelby passed away in May of this year at age 89 , but this rare, one-off 1967 Shelby GT500 Convertible was restored in time for the Shelby Cobra 50th Anniversary. It's known as "the world's rarest Muscle Car"....not to mention, beautiful, fast, cool, and any other words to describe why your toes curl at the mere sight of this rare beast. (okay, maybe that's just me...) If you ask me, by now...Heaven's sportin' some pretty fast cars up there...thanks Carroll.