A very rare 1969 Shelby GT 350, 4 Speed, Convertible Tribute Replica

A very rare 1969 Shelby GT 350, 4 Speed, Convertible Tribute Replica

Introduction

I chose the 1969 GT 350 because only 194 were ever produced, including the 52 1970 models. ONLY 32 1969 Shelby GT 350’s are known to exist (including automatic and manual transmissions). These original cars are selling for over $250,000 in a restored condition. Do you see these cars? NO! Nobody in their right mind would drive it. This car was built to drive and enjoy.

This car started off life as a 1970 mustang convertible with a 3-speed, 302 and 8” rear end. The original VIN is 0F03F128444. The nice thing about the 1970 mustangs is there were a few upgrades, such as bolt-in windows vs the glue in, has a 22 gallon fuel tank vs 20 gallon, larger front disk brake spindles and improved steering box.

I have searched years, high and low for the donor car and many of these specialty parts and have painstakingly built this car with Shelby originality as my number one goal. I’ve been personally collecting partsand building this car for over 15 years. The front fenders, front bumper shroud, trunk lid and extensions, tail light panel, tail lights and lenses are originalShelby parts. Almost all my other Shelby specific parts are from eitherTony D. Branda or Shelby Parts and Restoration in Green Bay, WI.

The donor carwas in exceptional condition when I purchased it in 2010, still in original factorypaint. I am the 3rd owner. The car was stored on a concrete floor in heatedgarage since 1983 when the previous owner purchased it from the original owner. There was no rust in the rear fenders, or rocker panels and very little rust in the driver’s door and floor pan, which were replaced. The car was as solidas any original 60’s mustang I’ve seen. Besides the several hundred miles Ihave put on the car, it has not been on the road for over 37 years. Meaning thecar is only 13 years of used/driven life on it.

TheTransformation

The car's transformationincludes almost everything that the original ’69 Shelby had with theexception of the VIN. The new replica VIN tag on the driver’s door is true towhat the car now has in it 9T03M480027, body code 76B, color Z, Trim 3WA, Date04G, D.S.O. 842505, Axle S, Trans 5.

Grabber greenwith a deluxe white interior, 4-speed top-loader transmission and a completely rebuilt 1969, 351 Windsor producing 458 Pounds of torque and 405 HP.More about the engine later but it has the original exhaust manifolds, front Hpipe and Shelby specific transverse muffler and aluminum collector with dual center outlet port, all brand new. The rear end has staggered shocks with KYB gas shocks all around.

Currently thecar still has its original 1970, 8” rear end but I located and purchased a correct1969, 9” rear end with 3.25 gears (3.50 are original for the 350GT). I plannedto sand blast and restore the rear end and use the 3.25 gear for better highwayperformance. The spare rear end goes with the car.

This car alsohas the front shock tower reinforcing kit, professionally fitted and welded.The power steering has been completely rebuilt and does not leak. The steering'soriginal 1970 gear box and has very little play as compared to many classic PScars. I replaced the front sway bar with the larger 1.25”. All front end bushingsand shock rubber replaced. All new brakes and tires.

Interior andTop

The entire interior, engine compartment and underside of the car was was stripped and repaintedwith POR-15 rustproofing primer and then factory correct paint color.I installed rubber waterproofing sheets on the entire floor of the car to help dampen noiseand vibration. All new carpets and seat reupholstered with Shelby correct coverings(off white, not bright white). I converted the dash and steering columnfrom 70 to 69, I swapped the entire body wire harness from the fuse panelout with all Shelby replacement harnesses. The convertible top is power(most 69’s were not), the top has a glass rear window not plastic. Every single pieceof weather stripping has been replaced with the highest quality brand.The top, the windows and the doors shut solid and tight like right off the assemblyline.

The Steering wheelwas restored to Shelby specification but I just noticed this spring the rimblow horn is not working. I will try to resolve that.

The console gaugesare there and as correct to originals as I could find. The oil pressure gaugeworked after the restoration but the oil line cracked so I just put in pressuresensor. Everything is still there for the gauge to work again.

The gauge sandwood-grainare in excellent shape but the tach is not working and needs to be sent to a shop like “The Tackmaster” for a rebuild. The clock has been rebuiltbut needs to be wired. The consoleswitches are not hooked up and the fog lights are not working yet.

Drive train

The motor is a 1969 351 Windsor completely stripped, dipped, resurfaced and mag block,competition boring rebuilt with a 393 Stoker Kit, 4.0” bore, 3.8” Stroke. Ford Motorsports Factory Racing Aluminum Heads and a Milodon low profile 7 QT oilpan with high volume oil pump. The carb is a rebuilt to look original Holly 650 sitting on an Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum manifold. The motor was balanced and dyno tested producing 458 Pounds of torque and 405 HP. This output is with a mild street cam but could easily reach north of 500 with a different cam.

Summary

During this restoration and transformation of my car, I have seen many Shelby replica’s at shows and in pictures and I have also seen many many original and restored ’69 and ’70 Shelby’s. I can honestly say and believe (with a little pride and prejudice) that you not find a better 1969 Shelby GT 350, 4-Speed, convertible as nice as and as close to original as this one. I can also say that this restoration is better than some of the original Shelby car restorations that Ihave seen, especially when it comes to body panel alignment.

ONLY 32 1969 Shelby GT 350’s are known to exist (including automatic and manual transmissions). These original cars are selling for over $250,000 in a restored condition. Do you see these cars? NO! Nobody in their right mind would drive it.

This car was built to drive and not just to car shows.Guaranteedyou would never see an original on the road. I had plans to drive from Maine to Florida, to Kansas but things have changed for me. I hope someone can enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed building it and driving it the last couple years.

Other

I’m sure I have forgotten or not mentioned so much so please feel free to ask. I have folders and folders of paperwork and receipts of all the work performed by who and when and all the parts purchased where and when. I have years of purchase and restoration pictures that I will burn to CD’s. Any other small items that I purchased for the car, but have not installed yet (i.e., complete 9” rear end,rare map light for clock console or additional factory stickers) I will include. I will include all of these items with the sale.

CONTACT

I don’t expect this car to see here on eBay but we will see. Either way, it won’t be here long so if you have any interest reach out to me so we can be in contact. This is the first time the car has been listed for sale, although I’ve had hundreds of offers. As you may know, placing a price on a car like this is difficult. I do know they are only appreciating with time. Thank you for looking. Tom