THE 1969 SHELBY G.T. 350: DID A LITTLE LUXURY REALLY SPOIL CARROLL'S CREATION?

It is often written that when Carroll Shelby decided that he was ready to hang up his trademark hat and end his contract with Ford Motor Company in 1969, that a big part of that decision was based upon what the Shelby Mustang had become: a large, semi-luxurious halo car that never made the trip to Shelby American's headquarters at LAX. Shelby's original vision of the Mustang, that of a lithe, wild sporting machine that was all-business, all the time had been tamed down due to the complaints of noise, vibration and harshness by customers who had paid a premium for a special Mustang yet weren't prepared to get their teeth rattled and be prematurely deafened by a properly angry racing car. Those early Shelby G.T. 350s were raw, and that wasn't what affluent customers who were able to pay the premium really wanted. They loved their power, sure, but they also wanted their comfort, too.

Shelby might not have agreed at the time, but there is something to be said for having your cake and eating it, too. The 1969-'70 Shelby Mustangs featured styling changes that truly separated them from regular-production Mustangs, including distinctive fiberglass body panels on everything that wasn't the roof, the quarter panels, or the doors. Up front, a wide-open grille and a hood with five NACA ducts were ready to ingest as much air as possible to feed either the 351 Windsor (G.T. 350) or the 428 Cobra Jet (G.T. 500). Moving to the rear, 1965 Ford Thunderbird taillights returned for their final appearance, with the centered fuel filler cap and a unique center-exit dual exhaust treatment.

Settling into a late-production Shelby Mustang like this 1969 Shelby G.T. 350 available on Hemmings Marketplace means that you are treated to a plush experience... by Shelby standards, of course. The Mustang Deluxe interior was selected as the base and was then filled with "Shelby" and "Cobra" badging. Woodgrain trim could be found in the usual places, like the twin dash pods, the door panels, and along the Shelby-specific center console. Interiors were based in black, with white seats and panels being the only option. Sink into the bucket seat, pull the harnesses over your shoulders and twist the key. The "SHELBY COBRA" emblem in the center of the steering wheel will tell you everything you need to know. This isn't some run-of-the-mill Mustang. This is something different. Shove that shifter into first gear and get moving.

If you were expecting a track monster that sounded like the devil was playing bass at idle, you might be disappointed. But that wasn't the true purpose of a later Shelby Mustang. These are grand touring cars: they have the power, they have the cornering chops, and they have looks that will drop jaws wherever they go. As the owner, you just have the benefit of not paying grand tourer prices for basic parts, like suspension components or engine items. As the miles click off and the sun gleams over the Gulfstream Aqua paint, as you peer over those hood ducts, let yourself fade back in time to the days of rolling two-lane highways and cheap gas. A Shelby Mustang isn't meant to sit quietly and be admired from behind velvet ropes. They aren't meant to cruise at a crawl during a small-town parade or on a finely manicured lawn before parking amongst automotive royalty. Shelby wanted his cars driven by enthusiasts who meant to drive, who loved to drive. If a 1966 G.T. 350 is a fighter that is operating at 10/10ths all the time, then let the 1969 G.T. 350 be the rock musician who knows how to mellow out.

Shelby took a pause after the contract with Ford ended to go do the things he wanted to do. He toured Africa, he worked on his ranch, he spent time with his family, and he became an icon in the world of chili. Running at full speed can burn you out. Sometimes, you need to lean back and just cruise along while you enjoy everything around you. Just remember to look at the badge in the center of that steering wheel. Just because it is mellower and tamer than what you were expecting doesn't mean that you've gone soft. You're not doing battle on this highway. You're just here for a great time... and maybe just a little bit of mischief. After all, as the man himself said, "...performance IS my business."

Gallery - 1969 Shelby G.T. 350

2024-06-07T17:12:18Z dg43tfdfdgfd