1967 Shelby GT500 - The Original Heavy Hitter
Few nameplates are more synonymous with motoring enthusiasts and petrol heads than “Mustang”. It’s more than just a car, it’s a cultural touchstone, a rolling symbol of freedom, rebellion and V8-fuelled American muscle. For many, it represents something else entirely - a simpler time. A big, naturally aspirated V8 up the front, a simple four speed manual or three speed auto in the middle, and rear wheel drive out the back. Traction Control wasn’t a button, but more how much you buried your right foot. No lane keep assist. No autonomous emergency braking. Just the roar of an internal combustion engine and the open road. Take me back, Lord.
There are muscle cars… and then there’s this. The 1967 Shelby GT500 wasn’t just a Mustang with more grunt. It was a statement. A snarling, wide-shouldered icon built not for subtlety, but for dominance. Born out of Carroll Shelby’s vision of a Mustang that could outpace just about anything on the road, the GT500 fused raw American muscle with race-bred attitude, and the world took notice.
Under that long, vented bonnet sat a 428 cubic inch “Police Interceptor” V8. Big, even by ‘60s standards. Rated at 355 horsepower (though most agree it was well underrated), it churned out brutal torque and a soundtrack that rumbled the pavement. The GT500 wasn’t light. It wasn’t delicate. But it didn’t care. It was meant to punch hard and leave a mark. And boy oh boy, did it ever.
Where the earlier GT350 had been a nimble track weapon, the GT500 was a street brawler in a leather jacket. Longer, wider, and more aggressive in appearance, it wore dual racing stripes, functional hood scoops, and those iconic inboard headlights that made it look ready to devour everything in its path. The fastback silhouette was instantly recognisable. Timeless. If cars had a jawline, this one had the squarest of them all.
Driving one today is a visceral, analog experience. There’s play in the steering. The brakes require a firm foot. The clutch is heavy. But plant your right foot, and the GT500 shoves forward with the kind of authority that makes modern cars feel tame. It doesn’t just accelerate. It lunges. The rear end wriggles under torque, the nose rises, and you’re reminded why this era is so deeply romanticised.
The cabin was simple, but purposeful. A wood-rimmed steering wheel, classic gauge cluster, and those “Shelby” badges placed just so. It’s the kind of interior that smells like history. Like old leather and legacy. There’s nothing to distract you. Just you, the machine, and the open road. Just the way God intended.
Pop culture only further added to the legend that is the GT500. Gone in 60 Seconds and the creation of “Eleanor” gave the GT500 an eternal screen presence, but even without Hollywood’s lens, this car is a star. Not for its lap times. Not for luxury. But because it captures the soul of the muscle car era better than almost anything else.
Pros:
Iconic fastback styling with Shelby-specific aggression
Thunderous 428 V8 with endless torque
Raw, analog driving feel that’s disappearing fast
Pop culture legend status thanks to “Eleanor”
A true Carroll Shelby masterpiece
Cons:
Heavy steering, brakes, and clutch by modern standards
Handling is more brute force than finesse
Interior is basic—but who cares?
Fuel economy? Did someone say KFC?
Verdict:
The 1967 Shelby GT500 isn’t just a car. It’s an attitude. A bold, unapologetic statement. A fist in the air from a time when muscle ruled, when power wasn’t restrained by emissions or etiquette. It’s imperfect, unapologetic, and absolutely down right glorious.
Own one, and you don’t just have a Mustang.
You have the king of them.