This one-of-a-kind Mustang has, arguably, one of the most fascinating histories of any car ever built. As recently as 2017, new information came to light that revealed its backstory as well as how it fit into the breakup of Ford Motor Company and Shelby American. Motor Trend has a lengthy article discussing the current owners and how their observations led to them digging up a ton of original documentation surrounding this convertible, the only one in existence.
When it was purchased in 1977, it was believed to be a 1968 Shelby GT Convertible, but the buyer noted several inconsistencies that led him to believe it might be a ’67. Another owner was able to access Shelby American Auto Club archives, where they learned it was actually the only 1967 Shelby convertible ever made. Later research revealed that it was supposed to be part of a run labeled 1967 1/2 year of Shelby convertibles that ultimately didn’t materialize, according to Motor Trend.
Part of the reason was rumored to be that the “buck,” or pre-production model, that Ford provided Shelby was damaged, so Shelby’s custom parts didn’t fit the Mustangs acquired later. Because that put Shelby American behind on production, Ford took over and canceled the line, although that original convertible was produced at the San Jose plant’s production line before heading to Shelby. It was later refitted with 1968 parts for photographs, sold, stolen, and eventually ended up in an Illinois car museum, where it was first displayed in 2004, according to Mecum.
