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1965-1970 Shelby Mustang Paint Colors, Fun Facts, & Specifications

1967-Shelby-GT500-paint-colorsNowadays, if you are a vintage Shelby Mustang enthusiast and you have sufficient cash to purchase a 1965-1970 Shelby Mustang, you might be most likely to simply find, test drive, negotiate, and purchase the best possible example GT350, GT500, or GT500KR that you can afford. You might not be too concerned about the Shelby's exterior paint scheme.

1965 Shelby GT350 paint-colors

On the other hand, what if you're say some hotshot movie mogul or a F1 race car driver back in the Swingin' 60's, and you've got money to burn. Let's say that the Shelby Mustang is your brand of pony car, the very sort of machine that you want to be seen in, when you're not taking the checkered flag at Monaco or Spa or you're on location filming a blockbuster movie. So long as you're looking to purchase a 1966-1970 Shelby, you'd have a number of exterior paint schemes from which to choose. 

1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 Paint Colors

If you want a 1965 Shelby GT350 fastback, there's only one factory paint color scheme to choose. It has to be Wimbledon White with the rocker Guardsman Blue Shelby GT350 stripes. However, if you wanted to incorporate more blue, you could then have your local Ford dealership add the over-the-top Guardsman Blue Le Mans stripes.

1965 Shelby GT350 rear

1965 Shelby GT350 seat tray

Above: Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) rules dictated that the 1965 Shelby GT350 Mustangs were two-seat, B-production sports cars that carried a spare tire and didn't have a back seat. So, Carroll Shelby removed the Mustang fastback's rear seat and replaced the seat with a lightweight fiberglass tire tray and spare wheel/tire. 

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Above: You might even be an F1 driver with enough money to purchase one of the 36 original R model GT350's that were intended for road racing like these two examples. This photo is courtesy of yours truly at Laguna Seca Raceway, mere inches away from the GT350, shooting through a photo hole behind a barrier wall @ The Rolex Motorsports Reunion. That was a bit too close for comfort! But of course, I didn't realize it until after the fact. The Shelby I was shooting is in focus.

Paint Name   Code   Sample   Mfg. Code*
Wimbledon White   M       M1619
Guardsman Blue   N.A.     A-1630

* Shelbys made in the San Jose plant were painted with Rinished-Mason (R-M) paints. The LeMans stripes were painted with the R-M A-1630 Ford Guardsman Blue hue. The LeMans stripes were actually an option painted on the hood, roof, trunk lid, front and rear valance at Ford dealerships, if the GT350 customer selected that option. Every 1965 Shelby GT350 came with the Guardsman Blue rocker stripes and GT350 stenciling. Later years followed manufacturing with Ditzler paints.

Fun Fact: LeMans Stripes Were Actually Tapered!

1965-Shelby-mustang-racing-stripes

If the stripes weren't painted in such a way as denoted above, your eyes would experience a strange optical illusion, when you viewed the Shelby passing by. The Mustang would simply look weird. For this very reason, regardless of the vehicle, be it a Shelby Cobra 427SC, a Rally Sport Camaro, a Briggs Cunningham race car, or what have you - LeMans stripes are painted with different widths front to back.

Who Invented Racing Stripes?

Millionaire businessman and sports car driver/team owner Briggs Cunningham is credited with figuring out LeMans stripes and painting the blue stripes on all his white racing machines. Today, this style of stripes is often referred to simply as racing stripes.

Briggs Cunningham Concours

Above: An early 1950's Briggs Cunningham race car showed off its tapered blue rally or LeMans racing stripes over the American racing livery of white at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, June 1-3, 2018. Different countries had different color racing liveries back in the early days of racing that carries over to this day. An example of this is British Racing Green. The U.S.A. races under a white livery. 

1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 Paint Colors

1966 Shelby GT350 Candy Apple Red paint-colors

Above: Here's a 1966 GT350 in Candy Apple Red (Code T). Notice '66 GT350's received quarter windows in the roof and functional air scoops in the quarter panels for cooling off the rear drum brakes.

    Code   Sample   Mfg. Code*
Raven Black   A       M1724
Sapphire Blue   G       M1905
Wimbledon White   M       M1619
Ivy Green   R       M1879
Candy Apple Red   T       M2008
Inca Gold Metallic - DuPont Centari paint - Hertz Gold stripes - modern day equivalent to what was called 'Gold Dust' in 1966       download-1  

43496-AM DuPont

* Shelbys made in the San Jose plant were painted with Rinished-Mason (R-M) paints.
Later years followed Ford's manufacturing and used Ditzler paints.

1966 Shelby GT350 ivy green paint-colors

Above: This Ivy Green (code R) 1966 Shelby GT350 never received its Ford dealer-painted rally (LeMans) stripes. Here's a fun fact: Shelby Enterprises/Ford initially called these LeMans stripes ralley stripes or rallye stripes. They even spelled the word rally those two different ways back in the '60s.

1966 GT350 Sapphire Blue paint-colors

Above: Wimbledon White (code M) over Sapphire Blue (code G) is a strikingly beautiful paint scheme to select. This Shelby, like the Ivy Green example just above it, has the optional 14-inch Shelby 10-spoke aluminum wheels.

Shelby Enterprises in Venice, California tamed the GT350 just a little bit for the 1966 model. The 289-cubic inch, high-performance K code V8 still made 306-horsepower and 322-lb.-ft. of torque. But customers could either order the Shelby with a four-speed manual transmission or the Ford C4 three-speed automatic. There weren't any R model race cars available from the Shelby factory. Accordingly, all '66 Shelbys have fold down back bench seats just like the '66 Mustang 2+2's. 

1966 GT350 fold down rear seat

1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H Paint Colors - Not Your Average Rental Car

1966 GT350 Black Gold paint-colors

Above: Most of the 999-produced 1966 Shelby GT350H Hertz Rent A Cars were striped in gold and had Raven Black (code A) paint schemes. They could be clad in the other available hues, too, but typically still wore the gold stripes. The vast majority of Hertz cars had both gold LeMans stripes, and the gold rocker stripes, but a scant few didn't have the gold LeMans rally stripes.

1966 GT350H Sapphire Blue-1 paint-colors

However, Ford and Shelby Enterprises did enter into a relationship with Hertz Rent A Car in 1966. Ford/Shelby sold a fleet of GT350's to Hertz with mainly automatic trans equipped GT350s. Though some four-speed equipped cars were also part of the Hertz fleet. A customer could rent a GT350H for $17 a day. There are stories of customers renting a Shelby, bolting in a roll bar, going SCCA or Team Continental racing on the weekend, unbolting the roll bar, and returning the GT350H to Hertz. Other stories exist where customers would remove the K code high performance mill from the GT350H, install a less powerful A code or C code 289, and return the rental car to Hertz. Crazy stuff!

1966 Shelby GT350H white gold paint-colors

1965-66 Shelby Mustang GT350 Dimensions

"The 1965-1966 Ford Mustang/Shelby has a wheelbase of 108 inches (2,743 mm). It also has the following dimensions:
  • Length: 181.6 inches (4,613 mm)
  • Width: 68.2 inches (1,732 mm)
  • Height: 51.2 inches (1,300 mm)
Curb weight: 2,562–3,093 pounds 1965-66 Mustang specifications - Ford Media"

1966 Shelby GT350 ivy green paint-colors

Above: Believe it or not, Shelby also produced four GT350 convertibles, in Ivy Green (code R - the car above), yellow (paint code used unknown), blue (paint code unknown), and red (paint code unknown). All four still survive to this day. 

1967 Shelby Mustang Paint Colors

1967 Shelby GT500 dark blue paint-colors

Above: Here's a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 in Dark Blue (code 2). The GT500 name means this particular Shelby has a big-block 428-cubic inch V8! Considering that this GT500 has inboard driving lights, it's an early-production 1967. The DMV made Shelby move the driving lights to the outer ends of the grille opening, so as not to blind oncoming motorists' vision. 

Ford designed, grew, and evolved the Mustang's styling in 1967 and 1968:

  • Length: 183.6 in (4,663 mm)
  • Width: 70.9 in (1,801 mm)
  • Height: 51.6 in (1,311 mm) for hardtops and fastbacks, 51.4 in (1,295 mm) for convertibles
  • Wheelbase: 108 in (2,743 mm)
  • Treads: 58.5 in
1967 GT500 428 engine
 
Above: The 428-cubic inch V8 mill that now resides in the Dark Blue '67 GT500 is in the process of being tested on an engine dyno after its thorough engine balance, blueprinting, and professional rebuilding. This GT500 also has an interior with the rare Parchment Comfort Weave vinyl, which is estimated to be installed in just 8% of all Shelby production in 1967. Notice the rear bench seat is folded down in this photo. You can see the blue seat belt sticking out in the lower lefthand corner.

 
1967 GT500 DB white interior
 
1967 GT500 Dark Blue rear paint-colors
The slightly larger Mustang's engine bay enabled Ford and Shelby's crew to shoehorn Ford's big-block V8 engines, which 1959 LeMans winner, Carroll Shelby greatly appreciated. Shelby's team named the 428 big block V8 Shelby Mustang the GT500. Ford designer Charles McHose designed the 1967 Shelby Mustang in 1966 with a Shelby fiberglass: nose, front valance panel, and steel-framed hood with twin hood air scoops. Mr. McHose, an Art Center College of Design graduate, in Pasadena, CA, also created the fiberglass deck lid that has an integrated spoiler on its trailing edge. His redesigned tail panel houses Ford Thunderbird turn-signal sequential taillights.

1967 Shelby GT350 Paxton paint-colors

Above: This Candy Apple Red (code 9) 1967 GT350 Shelby is one of 33 so equipped with a Paxton Supercharger atop its K-code, high performance 289-cubic inch V8. The car's original owner must have opted to not have the LeMans rally stripes painted by the Ford dealer. Also notice the Thunderbird sequential taillights. She also sports a four-speed manual trans and correct '67 only Shelby hubcaps. Sweet.

Below: Brittany Blue (code 8) is the hue for the four-speed manual transmission equipped GT500 below. According to information from Mecum Auctions, this GT500 has an ultra-rare and powerful side-oiler 427-cubic inch big block V8 engine. One would need to look up Shelby no. 02680 in the Shelby Registry to learn more about this beauteous beast in Brittany Blue. The vehicle must be a bit later production in 1967, as the driving lights are outboard.

1967 Shelby GT500 Brittany Blue paint-colors

 

    Code   Sample   Mfg. Code*
Bronze   1       M2066
Dark Blue   2       M1903
Raven Black   3       M1724
Wimbledon White   4       M1619
Dark Moss Green   5       M2039
Medium Gray   6       M1900
Lime Gold   7       M2041
Brittany Blue   8       M1624
Candy Apple Red   9       M2008
Acapulco Blue   0       M3077

* Shelbys made in the San Jose plant were painted with Rinished-Mason (R-M) paints
later years used followed Ford manufacturing with Ditzler paints

1967 GT350 side Dark Moss Green paint-colors

Above: A Shelby Mustang fanatic would know that the Dark Moss Green (code 5) GT350 is an early production model. The red marker lights in the side scoops, inboard fog lights, and her steel reinforced fiberglass hood are the three hints as to her early 1967 production-provenance. The Shelby Registry reveals the full scoop for serial number 0002. Oh, this baby also has a four-speed manual transmission and black vinyl interior, but no LeMans rally stripes.

1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake paint-colors Above: You're looking at the one-of-one 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake. A Ford GT40 Mk II 427 engine, built specifically for this car, made approximately 600-horsepower. The Super Snake was purpose-built for the GoodYear Thunderbolt tire test. For the test, the Super Snake drove 500 miles at an average of 142 MPH and retained 97% of the original tire tread on whitewall Goodyear Thunderbolt street tires. To distinguish the car, there's unique Guardsman Blue (mfg. code A-1630) LeMans stripes over Wimbledon White (code 4) paint. At the Mecum Kissimmee, Florida auction in January 2019, the Super Snake sold for $2.2 million! The prototype first sold in August 1967 for $5,000! Most Shelby Mustang images courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

1967 GT500 lime gold paint-colors

Above: Here's a Lime Gold (code 7) 1967 GT500 that's wearing some way cool 15-inch optional Shelby 10-spoke wheels that were specifically for the 1967-68 Shelby Mustangs. The Shelby also has a four-speed manual trans.

1967 GT500 Acapulco Blue paint-colors

Above: Acapulco Blue (code 0) is a pretty hue to paint a 1967 Shelby. This GT500 is an unrestored example that sports its original 428-cubic inch V8 engine. It's equipped with a C6 automatic transmission and black vinyl interior. 

1967 GT350 Raven Black paint-colors

Above: The 1967 Shelby GT350 pictured above shows previous ownership by rocker Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and rockstar manager/concert events promoter Peter Conlon of Live Nation. Built at the San Jose, California, assembly plant on March 22, 1967, Shelby No. 01559 has early production in-bound headlamps, the Shelby-spec 289/306 HP small-block V-8, a four-speed manual trans, the extra cooling package, power steering, and power brakes. This Shelby's ready to rock (pun intended). She proudly wears her Wimbledon White LeMans and rocker stripes over Raven Black (code 3) paint scheme.

1967 Shelby GT500 Bronze paint-colors

Above: The Mecum listing for the 1967 GT500 Shelby Mustang just above says that she is painted bright gold. However, that's not a known 1967 Shelby hue. The paint looks to be Bronze (code 1) in hue. There's a Marti Report for this four-speed manual transmission and 428-cubic inch V8 powered Shelby that indicates the car was originally Lime Gold (code 7). The American Racing Torq-Thrust D mag wheels aren't stock either for a 1967 Shelby, but they sure look awesome.

1967 Shelby GT500 dark moss green paint-colors

Above: You'll find another Dark Moss Green (code 5) 1967 Shelby. This one is a GT500 with Wimbledon White LeMans stripes. There's also a four-speed manual transmission backing that big block V8. 

1968 Shelby Mustang Paint Colors - Now Built by A.O. Smith, in Detroit, MI

1968 GT500KR Red paint-colors

Above: 1968 marked the first year that the Shelby Mustang was available either as a convertible, for the GT350, GT500, or the GT500KR, which stood for "King of the Road," or as a fastback. Ford learned that GM planned on offering a 1968 Chevrolet Corvette King of the Road, but GM failed to trademark the King of the Road name. So, Ford's lawyers swooped in and trademarked both King of the Road and KR. The top spec GT500 with the under rated 335-horsepower big-block V8 428 mill received the KR designation in the GT500 name, or GT500KR, once Ford had secured the trademark. The Candy Apple Red (code T) ragtop example here is loaded to the gills with a four-speed manual transmission, Ford dealer installed AC and the optional 15-inch Shelby 10-spoke wheels. 

1968 GT500KR Medium Blue paint-colors

Above: Here's a one of 57 GT500KR convertible in Medium Blue (code D) that has factory air conditioning and a four-speed manual transmission, as well as those desirable 15-inch Shelby 10-spokes rolling stock.

Carroll Shelby lost his lease at Los Angeles International Airport in the latter part of 1967. So, production of the 1968-70 Shelby Mustangs transitioned to an outside contractor, A.O. Smith, in Detroit, MI. The 1968 Mustangs that were destined for Shelby modification were all produced at the Metuchen, NJ Ford assembly line and were known as "knockdown" Mustangs. They were shipped via railroad in running order. Some had stock Mustang hoods, and some had the new for 1968 Shelby designed fiberglass hoods. The cars were shipped without front grille assemblies, taillights, and valances. All the cars had steel wheels.

1968 Shelby GT500 conv white paint-colors

Above: Wearing Raven Black (code A) LeMans and rocker panel stripes over the venerable Wimbledon White (code M), this 1968 GT500 convertible is dressed for any black tie affair or roadhouse roust-about should some road racing or gymkhana be desired. The Shelby also has a four-speed manual and its original Ford HVAC system. The engine shot is just below. Those Raven Black painted American Racing Torq-Thrust D wheels look superb on the Shelby, tying the tuxedo/Johnny Cash theme all together.

1968 GT500 engine

John Chun, another more recent Art Center College of Design Transportation graduate, made the design changes to the 1968 GT350 and GT500. The hood, the grille opening, and front valance are all different, with the grille opening housing rectangular Marchal and later in production Lucas fog lights. The tail panel again houses Ford Thunderbird sequential taillights. However, Mr. Chun designed a chrome taillight bezel that had six openings for the red taillight lenses. 

1968 GT500 ragtop Gold paint-colors

Above: You're looking down on the first ever 1968 Shelby GT500 convertible off the assembly line, finished in September of 1967. The distinctive Gold (code Y) Shelby was used as a Ford Engineering Development Vehicle from September 1967 to May 1970. The ragtop was then sold to her first non-Ford employee in May of '70. The GT500 is also one-of-two 68 GT500's fitted with a Paxton Supercharger for Shelby crew evaluation and testing purposes.

1968 GT500KR Special Yellow paint-colors

Above: Here's a Special Yellow (WT6066) Shelby GT500KR that is one of 86 fastbacks produced in this hue.

1968 GT350 ragtop Raven Black paint-colors

Above: Raven Black (code A) is yet another hue for the 1968 Shelby Mustangs. This convertible has a 302-cubic inch small block V8 that is backed by a four-speed manual transmission.

1968 GT350H white fastback paint-colors

Above: To the delight of many, Ford and Hertz Rent A Car reintroduced the Shelby GT350 to the Hertz Sports Car Club. This particular GT350H wears Gold (code Y) LeMans and rocker panel stripes over Wimbledon White (code M) and the optional Shelby aluminum 15-inch 10-spoke wheels. This baby also has an optional Paxton supercharger bolted atop her 302-cubic inch small block V8 engine (pictured just below).           

1968 GT350H supercharged 302

    Code   Sample   Mfg. Code    
Raven Black   A       M1724    
Medium Blue   D       M3077    
Lime Green (Lime Gold*)   I       M2041    
Wimbledon White   M       M1619    
Dark Green   R       M3067    
Candy Apple Red   T       M2008    
Gold   Y       M3073    
Yellow   blank       M3217    
Special Orange**   "       WT5185    
Special Yellow**   "       WT6066    
Special Green**   "       WT7081    
Special Light Orange   "   chip MIA   WT5107    

* 1968 Ford Mustang color name
** Special Order Color

1968 GT500KR 1of2 WT5107 Orange paint-colors

Above and two below: You're likely to be lustfully staring at this one of two produced 1968 Shelby GT500's in Special Light Orange (code WT5107) and the only one located in the United States. The other GT500KR was shipped to England. The 428KR mill is backed by a four-speed manual transmission. The Shelby GT500KR was originally purchased with a matching racing jacket at Courtesy Motors, Inc. in Littleton, Colorado. How cool is that?

1968 Shelby Orange jacket

1968 GT500KR SLO interior

 

1968 GT500KR special yellow conv paint-colors

Above: A '68 GT500KR convertible looks swell in its original hue of Special Yellow (code WT6066). The R-code Cobra Jet 428/335 HP V-8 is backed by a four-speed manual trans and a 3.50:1 Traction-Lok nine-inch rear axle, power steering, and front disc brakes.

1968 GT350 1-18 Special Green

Above: Unable to find a photograph of a real 1968 Shelby Mustang in the special-order exterior hue of Special Green, here's a photograph of a 1968 Shelby GT350 fastback in Special Green (code WT7081) that's a 1:18 scale die-cast model by Acme. Thanks Acme!

1968 GT500KR Yellow paint-colors

Above: Yet another Special Yellow (code WT6066 - couldn't find a '68 Shelby in Yellow) '68 Shelby GT500KR has a four-speed manual transmission and a not original, but righteous and mighty 427-cubic inch side oiler V8 engine!

1968 GT500KR ragtop Lime Green paint-colors

Above: The interior of this 1968 GT500KR convertible in Lime Green (Lime Gold* code I & M2041) looks sublime. 

1968 GT500KR dark green conv paint-colors

Above and below: Here's a side view and an engine shot of a Dark Green (code R & M3067) GT500KR convertible that's also equipped with a four-speed manual.

1968 GT500KR engine DG copy

1969 Shelby Mustang Paint Colors

1969 Shelby GT500 conv Royal Maroon paint-colors

Above: An unrestored 1969 Shelby GT500 convertible in Royal Maroon (code B & M3059) with a white interior and a four-speed manual transmission is enough to make most Shelby enthusiasts swoon with excitement over seeing such an original example.

john-chun-courtesy-chun-family-9-1557167914

A.O. Smith continued to assemble the 1969 Shelby Mustang fastbacks and convertibles. Designer John Chun, a recent Art Center College of Design graduate in Pasadena, CA, is credited with the design of the 1969 Shelby Mustang fastback and convertible. Design updates included a longer fiberglass front end with a redesigned fiberglass hood that incorporated an aggressive five NACA-style intake and exhaust air scoops, a unique “hoop” grille, a revised taillight panel, and exhaust treatment with twin rectangular exhaust pipes exiting beneath the rear license plate, and five-spoke mag wheels. In the cockpit, a roll bar with inertia-reel seatbelt harnesses, and the special Shelby trim maintained the performance-oriented, upscale Shelby American Mustang theme. 

    Code   Sample   Mfg Code
Raven Black   A       M1724
Royal Maroon   B       M3059
Black Jade   C       M3197
Acapulco Blue   D       M3077
Gulfstream Aqua   F       M3065
Grabber Blue   J       M0470
Candy Apple Red   T       M2008
Grabber Orange   U       M3659
Grabber Green   Z       M3658
Silver Jade   4       M3230
Pastel Gray   6       M3303
Bright Yellow (grabber yellow)   9 or blank       M3217

 

1969 GT500 fastback black jade paint-colors

Above: A new hue for the 1969 Shelby is Black Jade (code C). This profile shot reveals how the color looks in the light. The vehicle's 428-cubic inch V8 engine is still rated at 335-horsepower, and the engine is backed by a four-speed manual transmission in this particular GT500 fastback.

1969 GT350 Acapulco Blue paint-colors

Above: There's something pretty special about an Acapulco Blue (code D) 1969 Shelby GT350 fastback, especially when the vehicle's equipped with a Paxton Supercharger, as shown below.

1969 GT350 supercharged engine AB copy

1969 GT500 Grabber Yellow paint-colors

Above: Carroll Shelby once owned this 1969 Grabber Yellow GT500 fastback. The Shelby has a four-speed manual transmission and of course the 428 Cobra Jet engine.

1969 GT500 Grabber Green conv paint-colors

Above: Grabber Green's (code Z) a color not often seen in a 1969 GT500 with a 428 and a four-speed manual trans. 

1969 GT500 Fastback Grabber Orange paint-colors

Above: Here's a 3/4 front photo of a 1969 Grabber Orange (code U) GT500 fastback that sports a four-speed manual transmission and its prodigious 428 big block V8 powerplant.

1969 GT500 Silver Jade convertible paint-colors

Above: Silver Jade (code 4) is another pretty green hue that would look fine in any 1969 Shelby enthusiast's garage. This one has air conditioning, an automatic transmission, a white interior, and a 428 mill. This is the only factory EFI convertible ever built. Serial no. 0006 was a Conolec EFI Development car and a factory prototype. It was later sold to the Hertz Corporation in 1969. 

1969 Shelby GT350 Gulfstream Aqua convertible  copy

Above: Gulfstream Aqua (code F), an orange reflective side stripe, and a white vinyl interior make a great color combination for this 1969 GT350 convertible. For 1969, Ford utilized its 351 Windsor small block V8 that was rated at 290-horsepower for the GT350. In this convertible, the owner would have the opportunity to shift through the gears manually. If "Miami Vice" gets remade, this should be Sonny Crockett's undercover vehicle.

1969 GT350 Candyapple Red paint-colors
 

Above: Candy Apple Red (code T) isn't exactly the sort of hue you wish to drive around in if you want to be inconspicuous. However, this '69 GT350 fastback looks so sweet, especially with those orange reflective side stripes. She's equipped just right for boulevard cruising, with a four-speed manual transmission and a Ford factory HVAC system.

1969 GT350 ragtop Grabber Blue paint-colors

Above: Grabber Blue (code J) with a white interior looks spectacular on this '69 GT350. There's Factory Selectaire air conditioning and an FMX Cruise-O-Matic transmission for those summer road trips.

1969 Shelby GT350 Pastel Gray paint-colors

Above: This humble scribe almost purchased a 1969 Shelby GT350 fastback in Pastel Gray (code 6) back in the mid-1990's that was similar to this baby, but with two differences. The one I should have purchased had a white interior, a four-speed manual trans (like this one), and the Factory Selectaire air conditioning: The Wild Horse Galloped Away - 1969 Shelby GT350 Mustang Fastback.

1970 Shelby Mustang Paint Colors - "All Good Things Must Come to an End"

1970 Shelby GT500 Gulfstream Aqua paint-colors

Above: Some 789 Shelby Mustangs unsold from 1969 were DMV re-serialized as 1970 models, with stringent oversight by the FBI, and sold to the public. The '70 Shelbys had two differences: jet black hood spears along the two front NACA air ducts and a fiberglass front air dam (or spoiler), which was painted satin black. The pristine example above is one of 90 GT500 convertibles for 1970. This one also sports a four-speed manual transmission. She's one of four painted in Gulfstream Aqua (code F). The car's current caretaker had a Harbour surfboard restored and painted to match the Shelby. You'll remember that 1968-70 Shelby convertibles have hooks on the roll bars to attach your surfboards, when the top is down. Surf's up and so are Shelby Mustang prices. Cowabunga!

1970 GT350 ragtop Grabber Blue paint-colors

Above: This humble scribe's wife has said she's going to gift him (me) with a Shelby Mustang someday. One-of-five factory air four-speed convertibles and it's Grabber Blue (code J) with white vinyl interior and top - she (the convertible) would make the perfect gift! The 1967 Shelby GT500 with the four-speed manual trans in the lead photo wouldn't be bad either. Indeed, any of these babies would be awesome!

Shelby American terminated its business relationship with the Ford Motor Company in the Summer of 1969. This isn't what rocker Bryan Adams sang about with his teenage nostalgic tune of "Summer of 69". That was more about growing up in Canada (where he's from) or America. The American automotive landscape was doing some growing up of its on in the 70's and on. There was a looming oil embargo and oil crisis in the early '70's. There were more stringent clean air and vehicle safety standards that the U.S. government was imposing on American auto manufacturers. It was dark times ahead for American pony and muscle cars. 

1970 Shelby GT350 Grabber Yellow paint-colors

Above: The last production Shelby GT350 fastback with factory air, an automatic transmission, and wearing Grabber Yellow (code 9) would be the perfect gift for the humble scribe's wife. Hmmm.

Fortunately, Dearborn and Detroit were able to muddle through the 1970's and 1980's. Chrysler, General Motors, and Ford have managed to produce some cool vehicles over these more challenging years, but not like the baby booming 1950's and the swingin' '60's. Thankfully, there's also great companies like Classic Industries keeping these American muscle cars alive from our collective well-spent youths with an ever-increasing inventory of parts and accessories for these iconic machines.

    Code   Sample   Mfg Code
Royal Maroon   B       M3059
Black Jade   C       M3197
Acapulco Blue   D       M3077
Gulfstream Aqua   F       M3056
Grabber Blue   J       M0470
Candy Apple Red   T*       M2008
Grabber Orange   U       M6166
Grabber Green   Z       M4359
Silver Jade   4       M3230
Pastel Gray   6       M3303
Bright Yellow (Grabber Yellow)   9       M3217

* May have been a blank code

Get Your Ford Mustang & Shelby Parts @ Classic Industries

1968 GT500 ragtop

There's a very slight chance that you've recently purchased a 1965-1970 Shelby Mustang that is as pristine a specimen as one of the Shelbys chronicled here. In that case, you wouldn't need any Shelby Mustang and/or Mustang parts for a while. However, it's much more likely that you do need some trinkets for your favorite vehicle in your pony car paddock. In that instance, you can initiate your search for Ford Mustang parts online. You can also supplement your online parts search by also obtaining the Classic Industries' Mustang Parts & Accessories Catalog. By clicking the button just below, you'll be asked to fill in some shipping information. You can download a PDF version and/or have a printed catalog mailed to you. Happy hunting, shopping, building, driving, and enjoying your Ford Mustang and/or Shelby Mustang!

1964-2004 Ford Mustang

Classic Industries' Ford Mustang History Articles

We have a growing library of Ford Mustang and Shelby Mustang history articles available for your entertainment, education, and inspiration. Have fun in the CI library:

1968 GT500KR top up