Green Hornet leads pack of 14 Shelbys to be auctioned

By James Elliott
Auctions
 | 7 Nov 2012

The 'rarest Shelby Mustang in existence' will head an amazing 14 variants to be sold – all at no reserve – in Scottsdale in January.

The feast of American muscle that will go under the hammer at Barrett-Jackson's Arizona spectacular on 19 January ranges from a 1965 GT350 formerly owned by Ford to a 2012 GT500 50th Anniversary Super Snake.

Star billing, however, goes to the EXP 500 Green Hornet (main image). Predicted by insiders to make more than $2.5million, the prototype was thought by many to have been destroyed along with its 1967 sister car.

The two cars were the result of Ford exploring the possibility of selling a sports coupe Mustang, but didn't set the show circuit alight and the plans were dropped.

One car was scrapped and the remaining car, dubbed the Green Hornet, was then used as a testbed by Shelby who added independent rear suspension and fuel injection before it, too, was sent to the crusher.

EXP 500 was spared, however, and eventually ended up with owner Randy Darrow who used it as his daily driver for years before discovering its significance and restoring it.

"As a lifelong friend of Barrett-Jackson, Carroll Shelby was a regular on the Scottsdale auction block, making this a fitting tribute," said Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. "These Shelbys represent much more than just an addition to someone's collection. They are a piece of Carroll's legacy."

For more info on the sale click here. All the Shelby Mustangs so far consigned are:

1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback In original, unrestored, condition and powered by a 428cu in V8 driving via a four-speed transmission. Previously on display at the Shelby HQ in Las Vegas.

1965 Shelby GT350 Fastback Highly documented, highly detailed, with correct numbers and codes. Verified by Howard Pardee, SAAC Registrar for 1965/'66 GT350s and fully documented in the 2010 Shelby American Registry. Previously owned by Ford Motor Company and used in its Performance Heritage Tour. 

 

2012 Shelby GT500 50th Anniversary Super Snake The first of two prototype 50th Anniversary GT500 Super Snakes. The car was used at shows, featured in magazines, and was a big part of the Shelby American displays during the company’s 50th Anniversary celebration.

1968 Shelby GT500 Convertible Finished in Wimbledon White with black Deluxe interior. It has undergone a full restoration and is finished to the highest quality. It is one of only a few convertibles ordered with factory air-con.

1968 Shelby GT500 KR Convertible Originally ordered with the four-speed, 3.50 Traction-Lok axle, power steering, power front disc brakes, glass backlite, tilt away and the 428cu in CJ engine. Documented with a Marti Report and in the Shelby Registry.

1967 Shelby GT350 Fastback Ford show car. Fresh restoration using virtually all NOS parts. Matching-numbers drivetrain, real four-speed and Magstar wheels.

1967 Shelby GT350 Fastback Sports its original date-code correct K Code 289cu in V8 and four-speed manual transmission combination. Options when ordered include the extra cooling package, courtesy light group, fold-down rear seat, power steering, power front disc brakes, interior decor group, heavy-duty battery, as well as tachometer and trip odometer. Correct Paxton Supercharger added in 2011. Autographed by Carroll Shelby in the glovebox.

1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback Sammy Hagar’s car, which he owned from 1989 to 2006. Listed in the Shelby Registry, this car was rebuilt in 1992-'93. Features a solid-lifter 427 tunnel-port motor and Detroit locker.

1969 Shelby GT500 Fastback A 1969 428 Cobra Jet Shelby GT500 with 32,650 miles. Grabber Blue is the original colour. This matching-numbers vehicle went through a full restoration three years ago.

1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback Finished in dark blue metallic with white racing stripes and the ultra-rare white deluxe interior. It has covered just over 1000 miles since a complete restoration.

1968 Shelby GT500 KR Fastback Fresh original restoration with fewer than 10 miles since. One of only 125 with a 428 CJ, four-speed and air-conditioning.

1967 Shelby Terlingua Continuation The one and only car approved by Shelby to reproduce the '67 Terlingua. Keith Craft Motorsports was approved in 2007 to build them, but only built one.

1968 Shelby GT500 Fastback Rare Sunlit Gold, C6, air conditioning and tinted glass. One of 41 with this paint and trim combination. More than 100 pieces of documentation, owner’s manuals, build sheets and more.

1969 Shelby GT350 Fastback Matching-numbers 302 4V engine, C4 automatic transmission and 3.50 rear axle. This Shelby has just received a complete restoration retaining all of its original sheet metal and glassfibre.

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James Elliott

James Elliott is a former Editor of Classic & Sports Car