1969 Shelby GT500 Convertible
Five functional NACA-style air scoops covered the hood, feeding the Ram Air induction system, while front and rear scoops ducted cooling air to the brakes.
The 1969 GT500 featured a longer fiberglass front end with a distinctive grille, updated sequential taillights, and revised exhaust outlets that announced its formidable presence.
Beneath that heavily vented hood sat the 428 Cobra Jet V-8, conservatively rated at 335 horsepower but delivering far more in practice.
Originally developed with strong input from Tasca Ford and at the urging of Hot Rod magazine, the CJ combined 427 low-riser cylinder heads with a 735-cfm Holley carburetor to create a powerplant that dominated Super Stock competition at the 1968 NHRA Winternationals.
Inside, a roll bar, inertia-reel shoulder harnesses, and luxurious amenities maintained the GT500’s performance-oriented character.
While 3,150 Shelbys were built for 1969, only 335 GT500 convertibles left the production line, making this body style among the rarest Shelby configurations.
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