Very few vehicles in automotive history have turned heads like the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. It’s an automotive icon that still excites over half a century later. Yet, outside of the Ford faithful, few people fully understand what makes this muscle car so extraordinary. Buckle up as we explore the legacy of the 1967 Shelby GT500.

The Origins of the 1967 Shelby GT500

The GT500’s inspiration came from Carroll Shelby, an influential figure in American motorsports who got his start as a racer in the 1950s. By the early 1960s, Shelby had turned his efforts toward sports car design, including the notable AC Cobra. The hyper-successful launch of the Ford Mustang, one of the most popular cars of the 1960s, caught Shelby’s attention, leading to the GT350. This heavily modified Mustang fastback soon became sought after by racing and performance car enthusiasts.

Yet, as depicted in the 2019 movie Ford v Ferrari, Shelby was always looking to push the bounds of performance. The mid-1960s marked the height of the American muscle car era and a horsepower war between Detroit automakers. The timing for the 1967 Shelby GT500 couldn’t have been better. Arguably, the GT500 may have never come to life a decade later as subsequent regulations and safety concerns effectively ended higher-performance cars for many years.

Design and Styling of the Shelby GT500

While the GT500’s Ford Mustang DNA cannot be ignored, Shelby made numerous efforts to make this car more distinctive on the outside and in the cabin. To start, the Shelby GT500 sports a distinctive fiberglass hood with a massive functional air scoop to accommodate the big block V8 underneath. Shelby then added an aluminum grille featuring two signature driving lights.

Along the sides, the GT500 features “Le Mans” racing strips that draw the eye to functional brake cooling scoops in the rear quarter panels. A rear ducktail spoiler completes the car’s go-fast looks while adding downforce. Inside, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, 6,000 rpm tachometer, and leather bucket seats underscore this is no ordinary Mustang.

It all adds to a design that looks just as aggressive today as in 1967.

The Powerhouse Engine Behind the Legend

At the heart of the 1967 Shelby GT500’s performance is a 428-cubic-inch (7.0L) V8 engine. This cast-iron block behemoth, topped with a pair of Holley four-barrel carburetors nestled, churned out a potent 355 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. That was a serious step up from the already peppy 306-horsepower 289-cubic-inch V8 in the GT350. Regular V8-powered 1967 Mustangs only offered 200 to 271 horsepower outside the Shelby realm.

The 428 was part of Ford’s “FE” big block family, with its roots in the Blue Oval’s famed “427” racing engines, which powered the GT40s to multiple Le Mans victories. Focusing on straight-line acceleration rather than racing performance, Shelby squeezed every ounce of power out of the monstrous V8.

In 1967, Car and Driver recorded 0-to-60 mph times of 6.5 seconds, with the quarter mile completed in 15 seconds at 95 mph. Those were supercar numbers for the era, and all that power flowing through the rear wheels made the GT500 a notoriously thrilling handful to drive.

The 428 was backed by a sturdy “Toploader” four-speed manual transmission and a heavy-duty 9-inch rear-end differential. At the same time, the driveline and suspension were beefed up with more robust springs, shocks, and sway bars to handle the engine’s extra output. While power steering and brakes were optional on lesser Mustangs, Shelby wisely made these features standard on the GT500.

The Impact of the Shelby GT500 on Muscle Car Culture

The arrival of the 1967 Shelby GT500 was earthshaking, redefining the muscle car era and spurring competitors. That same year, Chevrolet quietly rolled out the Camaro Z/28, a near-race-ready offering. Pontiac didn’t catch up until 1969 with the Firebird Trans Am. Along the way, the Mopar twins, Dodge and Plymouth, kept stuffing more powerful Hemi engines into their products.

But beyond its impact on 1960s performance, the ’67 GT500 reinforced what made the muscle car era, which ended in the early 1970s, so memorable: the relentless pursuit of horsepower, automakers’ willingness to appeal to “gearheads,” and the idea that personal freedom and self-expression can be shown through automobiles. Most importantly, the GT500 shows that a small operation like Shelby American, which still produces cars today, can take on the Big Three and create a world-beating performance car.

Why the 1967 Shelby GT500 is Still Revered Today

Age has only increased interest in the 1967 Shelby GT500. After all, only 2,048 were built that year. Finding one, even in adequate shape, requires a six-figure outlay. For instance, Hagerty estimates that a fair-condition example is worth $111,000. Step up to one in mint condition (or Concours condition in car collector terminology), and the price rises to $274,000.

These eye-popping numbers are unsurprising, as the ‘67 GT500 has almost immortal pop culture status, being featured prominently in countless films, TV shows, and video games over the years. The movie “Gone in 60 Seconds” made the GT500 the star, often overshadowing the supporting cast of Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie.

However, the GT500’s appeal goes beyond its value or collector status. For many enthusiasts, this car represents the peak of the classic muscle car formula: a big, powerful engine in a lightweight chassis built to go fast. It also delivers a heavy dose of nostalgia that reminds car lovers of the speed-crazed, limit-pushing spirit of 1960s Americana.

Remember that the 1967 Shelby GT500 paved the way for more modern editions. Ford showrooms would have been a lot less interesting without this breakthrough vehicle from half a century ago. Modern marvels like the GT500s from more recent Mustang generations are impressive machines in their own right, fetching premiums over their regular counterparts, even as used cars.

The only thing missing is a Shelby GT500 version of the newest Mustang generation that Ford introduced for 2024. For those that can’t wait, the Carroll Shelby legacy lives through the Shelby American company, which produces the Mustang-based Super Snake and other high-performance vehicles.

How Endurance Can Help Preserve Your Aging Car

Most auto owners will never have a 1967 Shelby GT500 or other classic cars in their garage, but that doesn’t make their daily drivers less meaningful. There’s still a sense of pride in ownership and a need for reliable transportation. The challenge arises in that the older a car gets, the greater the chance of a breakdown accompanied by a surprise repair bill. Once the factory warranty expires, you’re on your own for protection against engine trouble, transmission problems, electrical issues, and many other potential faulty systems.

An auto protection plan from Endurance can be a real lifesaver in these situations. Also known as an extended car warranty or vehicle service contract, it covers vehicles up to 20 years old. So, while that rules out protection for a 1967 Shelby GT500, it does offer peace of mind for so many other cars on the road today.

Endurance offers a range of coverage options for your vehicle. Choose essential powertrain protection to safeguard the engine, transmission, and drive axle. There’s also an exclusionary plan with few exemptions similar to a new car bumper-to-bumper warranty. Endurance offers in-between programs that balance cost and coverage. There are plans for select luxury models, high-mileage cars, and commercial-use vehicles.

An Endurance Warranty plan is more than car protection; every plan has numerous perks, including 24/7 roadside assistance (with towing and other services), trip interruption protection, rental car reimbursement, and flexible payment plans. Customers can choose from any licensed repair facility for covered repairs, including specialty shops and dealership service departments.

All Endurance programs can be upgraded with a year’s worth of our Elite Benefits. Access up to $2,000 in valuable extras such as tire repairs and replacements, key fob replacement, collision repair discounts, and total loss protection.*

Drive Assured With Endurance

Learn how Endurance can take the worry out of car ownership. Request a free online quote or visit the Endurance online store for pricing and plan information in seconds. Have questions or need personalized help? Call an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203.

Check out the Endurance blog, which features a vast library of articles on car care, DIY tips, warranty advice, make-and-model reviews, and more.