You could write a book about the genesis of the Shelby GT350 and GT500 for the 1967 year.The nose of the car was a back and forth process to get both Shelby and Ford's approval. Even those iconic inboard headlamps that I adore ran into California and other states regulating a mandatory distance between them. Back and forth with the placement in order to sell legally, you got this:
 Replacing the rear fascia to house a fiberglass panel with Mercury Cougar tail lights and the distinctive Cobra filler cap, it was then crowned with a spoiler. They decided the rear windows didn't work like the plastic windows of the '65 and '66 so, with a nod to the GT40, a scoop was added to the pillar. Initially, on the rear of that scoop was a red domed light as a directional and brake light (taken from a truck), but, once again, California forbade any red lights that were not on an emergency vehicle.
Below were put functioning intakes to cool the rear brakes also ala GT40. The exhaust system retained its single tranverse muffler but added beveled ehhaust tips. The hood scoops were now more integrated into the hood which was fiberglass over stock Mustang frame for the first units and later became all fiberglass. Suspension was tweaked very cheaply using rubber stops to reduces wheel hop. The GTs also became the first American production car to be equipped with a fabric covered roll bar as well as inertia reel shoulder harnesses attached to the roll bar with two straps anchored to the floor with that final design necessary for certification. Also for the first time was a real wood rimmed steering wheel with badged center horn button. The tachometer was taken off the dash top and integrated into the GT dash board but for that, the ammeter and oil meter gauges were sacrificed and wound up upside down under the radio. Engine bay had some mods to the 289 that was still rated at 306 ho and '67 was the first year for power steering and included a heat sink addition to cool the fluid.
This year is my favorite of the whole Shelby line and this Lane model in Dark Blue is my favorite color with the white racing stripe.
Thanks for the history, Rich. I agree with you & this is one of my favorite Shelby models. I had Lane's red '67 GT500 & sold it when I got this fantastic blue/white car...though did eventually add a '68 KR. Lane did a great job on all of them...though the stance of the AutoArt versions looks more accurate to me.
Fine shots of this Shelby Mustang ! It is unfortunate what ridiculous red-tape they faced but this Mustang turned out great, both real and diecast model.
@mikedetorrice Actually, the inboard head lamps achieved so much fame and desirability that quite a few of those states relaxed their restrictions alowing Shelby to continue producing that configuration.
Actually, the inboard head lamps achieved so much fame and desirability that quite a few of those states relaxed their restrictions alowing Shelby to continue producing that configuration.
Ahhh, Rich, it is even more amazing when bureaucrats somewhere actually wake up and allow some sensible ruling on a particular case !Â
