Scottsdale, AZ. October 26, 2007 –-Carroll Shelby will sell his 1969 GT500 convertible, which he has owned since it was new, at No Reserve during the 37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event on Jan. 12-20, 2008, in Scottsdale, Ariz. It is the only Ford-based Shelby Mustang that he has owned continually since it rolled off the assembly line. The historic muscle car will be showcased during the SEMA show in Las Vegas from Tuesday, Oct. 30 – Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, in the Barrett-Jackson booth (#20765), located in the “Racing and Performance” area of Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“Barrett-Jackson attracts the most important collector cars because it is the greatest stage in the world to buy and sell these fantastic pieces of history,” said Barrett-Jackson Auction Company Chairman/CEO Craig Jackson. “Last year, we sold the only 427 Shelby Cobra built specifically for Carroll in Scottsdale and now we have the only Shelby Mustang that he’s owned for the past three decades. This is an opportunity to be the second owner of a premier car and purchase it from the man himself on the weekend we celebrate his 85th birthday. This special car will also be a highlight of our SEMA display, which will be more impressive than ever this year.”
One of only 246 Ford Shelby GT500 convertibles built in 1969, Mr. Shelby’s personal 428 c.i.d. Cobra Jet powered car has only 69,725 miles and came originally equipped with automatic transmission, GT equipment group, white interior and top, intermittent wipers, power steering, power brakes, tilt steering, factory A/C, AM-FM stereo radio, tachometer and trip odometer.
The red convertible was recently restored under the direction of Stephen Becker, a world-renowned collector and broker of vintage Shelby Cobras, GT350s and GT500s. Becker engaged well known and respected Shelby restorer Jim Cowles at Shelby Parts & Restoration in Green Bay, Wisc., to complete a Concours rotisserie freshening of the car.
“The only other Shelby that Carroll has owned longer than this GT500 is the first Cobra, CSX2000,” noted Steve Davis, President of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “With its recent restoration by one of the premier shops in the country, this historical GT500 would be a monumental acquisition for any serious collector.”
Another car slated for the Barrett-Jackson auction block in Scottsdale that will be featured at SEMA is the one-off 1963 Corvette “Rondine,” which will be staged in the AutoWeek booth (#20715). The Pininfarina-bodied concept car was designed by Tom Tjaarda and unveiled at the 1963 Paris Auto Show. Barrett-Jackson will also sponsor the Overhaulin’ Studio, where they will display three Scottsdale-bound cars in the silver lot.
“SEMA is a haven for gearheads and the industry’s most influential players, making it the ideal venue to showcase our lineup for Scottsdale,” added Davis. “Barrett-Jackson has taken enormous strides in the past few months to further establish our position as the world’s leading producer of collector car auctions.”