The original 1967 GT500 was a way for Shelby to capitalize on the fact that Ford could now install a big block V8 in the Mustang. But it couldn’t just be a bigger engine, they needed to move the GT500 upmarket as well, adding luxury and comfort features that would make it fast, but perhaps not quite honed to a razor-sharp edge like the original GT350. The result was a seriously fast car that was also daily driver comfortable, a machine that wasn’t so much intended for the road course but rather to be intimidating and usable on the street. And in that regard, I think the S-197 GT500s of 2005-2009 are the most faithful to the original vision. Sure, the latest $95,000 GT500 supercar is spectacular, but it doesn’t seem to have any soul (and we had one, so this is the voice of experience here). Fast, capable, but kind of cold and computerized. No, for our money, the rip-snorting rear-wheel-drive antics of this 500 horsepower 2008 GT500 is what fast Mustangs have always been about.

With just over 20,000 original miles, this is a beautifully preserved Shelby. It has obviously never been in the snow and probably rarely ever in the rain, and it has been treated as a toy rather than subjected to the rigors of the daily commute. The factory Performance White paint with traditional blue stripes looks fantastic and it really is the ideal combination for a Shelby. The Shelby stands apart from the standard Mustangs with a unique body kit, domed hood, and the usual Shelby emblems and markings, so there’s no chance that this will be mistaken for anything other than the great white shark of the street. There are almost zero signs of use, no major chips or scratches, and only a few almost invisible chips on the chin that are probably inevitable if you’re going to drive it. It is worth noting that the chin spoiler hasn’t been bashed on curbs or driveway aprons, the rockers aren’t abraded by flying gravel, and the finish shines up like it’s six months old. The only notable modifications are the custom scoops on the C-pillars, which emulate the 1967 GT500 and look rather good on the sleek late-model.

The charcoal leather interior was the only way you could get your Shelby in 2008, but it’s far more luxurious than the GT500s of the past. Almost everything was standard in the GT500, including cold A/C, power windows, locks, seats, and mirrors, cruise control, and more. Options were few, but this car has them, including the $1995 navigation system, $500 Premium Trim Package that included contrasting red stitching on the steering wheel and shift boot, and the ambient lighting package that’s kind of cool, allowing you to fine-tune the color of the gauges and lights under the dash and in the cup holders to match your mood. The blue stripes were a no-cost option, but almost everyone added them to the list—why own a Shelby without the stripes? The interior remains in immaculate condition throughout, with extremely minor wrinkling on the driver’s outer seat bolsters, but no damage, scuffs, or splits. Everything works, of course, and you’ll find it’s a lot easier to get comfortable behind the wheel of this Shelby than, say, a late-model Corvette. Ol’ Shel’s signature is there on the center of the dash, and the only upgrade inside is a custom color-matched Shelby shift knob for the 6-speed manual gearbox. Cobra-logo floor mats are a smart addition, and if you look around, there’s exactly zero wear on any of the components. Even the trunk is beautifully preserved, including the tire well, which comes with only a compressor and tire sealant, which is how it was delivered new—no spare tires in the Shelbys.

The 5.4 liter DOHC V8 is topped by a massive supercharger, and the engine is a direct descendant of the motors that powered the incredible Ford GT supercar. In the GT500, it makes a nice, round 500 horsepower and 480 pounds of torque. At the time, it was the fastest Mustang ever built, and even today it’s ferociously fast on the street—you won’t meet many cars that can keep up, even 12 years after the fact. Largely hand-built and signed by the guys who did it, these engines have proven themselves to be virtually indestructible in normal use and if you really need more power, well, that’s only a phone call away thanks to a massive aftermarket. This one is almost entirely stock, with the only modification being a K&N air cleaner and induction assembly, but the factory parts are included if you want to go back to 100% OEM. It’s also nicely detailed, right down to the hose clamps and all the factory markings and decals which are still in place for future reference. It’s spotlessly clean under the hood and you’d better believe it’s a runner. However, the most remarkable thing might just be how docile it is—your grandmother could drive it every day without ever knowing there’s a 12-second monster living inside. It’s idles nicely, it never gets hot or fussy, and just works like a modern car is supposed to work. Seriously, you don’t know how miraculous that is until you spend all your days working with cars that have carburetors and marginal cooling systems. This car is revelatory for the old school performance car fan.

There is more evidence of good living underneath, where the floors are pretty much as new and there are only minor signs of use and age. The rust you see on many of the heavy metal parts is called “pickling” and it’s a factory rust-control process—it probably looked like that sitting on the showroom floor, so it’s not a demerit. That gorgeous new stainless exhaust system features an X-pipe, trick electric cut-outs, and Borla mufflers for a more aggressive tone on the street, but it’s far from loud and the cut-outs give you the flexibility to make it sound however you like, from stock to super stocker. The transmission snaps through the gears yet clutch action is light given how much power it has to manage, and with power steering it’s a breeze to drive this car anywhere. Massive 14-inch Brembo disc brakes were standard equipment, and you’ll be glad to have them when you see how quickly this car gathers speed. Heavy-duty control arms do their best to put all 500 horsepower to the ground, and where this car really shines is on the roll when the supercharger and that huge wave of torque catapults it forward without any effort at all. Factory aluminum wheels are unmarked and carry OEM-spec 255/45/18 front and 285/40/18 rear Goodyear radials.

Extras include all the factory manuals, window sticker, certificate of authenticity, and all the spare parts that were removed.

The fact that you can buy this much performance for so little cash today should be considered a win. These cars still command a ton of respect on the street and as I mentioned, compared to today’s techno-wonder GT500, it feels far more engaging. The new one might be faster, but this one has more soul. If that’s something you understand and appreciate, you’ll absolutely love driving this gorgeous Shelby. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any car in our inventory prior to purchase.