1970 SHELBY GT500 FASTBACK VIN 0F02R482822

AUTHENTICITY: Genuine ’70 GT500 fastback serial number 2822. The base vehicle was initially built semi complete by Ford  to 1969 Mach I specifications, then delivered to Shelby Automotive for finishing. This vehicle’s VIN was later converted by Shelby to 1970 model year. The original 1969 front stamped dash VIN plate and metal door tag were removed and replaced by Shelby with a 1970 reverse die stamped style dash VIN plate and door warranty paper label.

The original door warranty label codes for this car are as follows: Body 63C: fastback with Mach I deluxe interior. Color C: Black Jade Metallic.  Trim 3AA: Black high back comfortweave knitted vinyl. Date: No build date code appears on 1970 Shelby warranty labels as the car was actually built during the 1969 model year.  DSO 84xxxx: Shelby Automotive. Axle S: Locking 3:50 ratio. Trans U: C6 automatic.

No build sheet has yet been located, but it is believed one is intact within the vehicle. Factory copies of the dealer order sheet and window price sticker are intact. All body metal throughout the car is believed original. The confidential Ford VINs stamped into the front fender aprons are therefore expected to be intact, although they have not actually been observed. These VINs were not changed by Shelby from their original 1969 model year designation and would therefore begin with the digit “9”, rather than “0”.

HISTORY: Semi-completed at Ford Dearborn (Michigan) Assembly in the winter of 1969 and shipped to Shelby Automotive for completion. Initially designated on May 2, 1969 as a Shelby “zone 5 reserve” vehicle. Subsequently ordered by Sanders Motor Company of Raleigh, North Carolina.  Shipped by Shelby to Sanders on October 8, 1969.

The identity of the original owner is unknown. #2822 apparently remained in North Carolina, and by the mid 1990’s it was acquired by Mr Hunter Williard of  North Carolina.

Mr. Williard retained #2822 until of 2001, whereupon it was sold to William L. Gill of Scotia, New York. Gill kept the car until August of 2003, when it was sold through an intermediary to Bill Collins.

This GT500 is registered with the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) and appears in the Shelby American World Registry, 1997 edition, on pages 1113 and 1210.

CONFIGURATION/CONDITION: Odometer displays 09352, believed to actually be 109,352 miles. The exterior was refinished years ago to a teal green, close in Shade to the factory color Gulfstream Aqua but more green in tint. The side stripes are white; the hood stripes were also changed at that time from gloss to matte black.

Optional equipment includes power ventilation, automatic transmission Traction-Lok differential and tinted glass. Standard equipment includes power steering and power disc brakes. This Shelby was not ordered with and does not have the  tilt/flip away steering wheel option commonly found on many ’69 models.

The engine is a replacement 428 Cobra Jet. Some engine work has been performed recently, including installation of replacement Comp Cams camshaft. The cam is similar in specifications to the original factory cam.  The  air cleaner base is original,  with snorkel. The s-tube and heat shield are missing, as is the emission control system. The carburetor is a correct  Holley 735 cfm in restored condition. Original Shelby plain finned  aluminum valve covers.  Original radiator, shroud and clutch fan. Original cast iron tailshaft C6 automatic transmission. Replacement style exhaust system with dual flow through mufflers rather then the original transverse style Original 5 spoke Shelby wheels with modern Goodyear Eagle ST radial tires. Space saver spare tire but no jack, handle or inflator bottle. All appropriate Shelby trim and exterior equipment is intact, including the fog lamps and sequential turn signals.

The following is a summary of date, engineering and stamping codes on various components. NOTE: the basic part/engineering number portion of these codes has been omitted here for ease of reading:

ENGINE: There is no VIN stamping in the left rear of the block. The block casting date is 9J12 (August 12, 1969). This being after the build date of the car. the engine is believed to be a replacement.  There is no exterior engineering number on the block. This is indicative of a 428 Cobra Jet, as later CJ engines lacked external identification numbers. The engine assembly tag is missing.

The Carburetor air horn stampings are C9AF-N, Holley list 4280, date 935 (5th week March 1969). The carburetor lacks an original Autolite tag. This tag would  display “ED-C9AF-N”, indicating an original Shelby carburetor, as the “ED” designation denotes “edited” which is the code for conversion to manual choke, a change made by Shelby to all 1970 GT500’s as part of their conversion from 1969 specifications. This carburetor has the factory manual choke conversion.

The intake manifold is cast  C8OE-C, date 9B21 (Feb 21, 1969). Distributor “Autolite C7AF-Y” - date illegible. The ignition coil is a reproduction “yellow top “Autolite style. The Ignition relay is a “C9AF-A” (heavy duty style with four screw mounting base) date “xxx”. The alternator is a replacement.

The fan is marked C9ZE-E and the fan clutch C9ZE-B. The water pump is a C9AE- x with date of 0K27 (October 27, 1970).  The radiator is marked C9ZE-xxx. The fan shroud is intact.

The battery, cables, ignition wires, belts and hoses are modern aftermarket items.

DRIVELINE: Original C6 transmission with iron tailshaft, yellow filler tube, “R” cast servo cover and ID tag as follows:            PGB-AF - 1
                                     016106

The rear differential is the original 9 inch housing without staggered shocks (automatic trans cars did not receive staggered shocks). The center section has the distinctive nodular case webbing but no “N” in the center square. The case casting date is 9C21 (March 21, 1969). The gear ratio is 3:50 with locking differential. The axle ID tag is intact and reads as follows:

WFD     F     9EA
            3L50      9   981B

BODY: Original sheetmetal and fiberglass throughout. No rust repair or panel replacement. The driver’s door and quarter panel exhibit signs of accident repair, being somewhat wavy, but no overly so. Former owner Hunter Williard reports that this was due to contact with a tree after spinning the car out. The underbody and structural metal is all original and undisturbed. The factory spot welds are present throughout, including on the floor pan. Panel fit, gaps and alignment are good. The exterior trim plating and/or finishes are in fair to good condition. The front spoiler is a new reproduction.

The exterior paint is of average quality. Shine and smoothness are generally good.  A few areas have a minor amount of dirt, there is some “orange peel”, and the top of the right front fender has some subsurface cracking. These conditions are visible under strong interior light, but are not evident when the car is viewed outside. The left quarter panel has two paint bubbles, each about the size of a quarter.

INTERIOR: The interior is completely original and in very good condition. No cracks in dash pad, no tears in seats and no cut or modified interior panels except as done by the factory to accommodate the roll bar. There is visible wear on the driver’s door armrest, with one small split at the front corner of the door cup. The original leather wrap remains on the steering wheel. The rim blow horn works. All original Shelby equipment is intact including 140MPH speedo/8000 RPM tach, console with amp and oil pressure gauges, roll bar and harnesses, and all Shelby insignia.

The original AM radio has been replaced with a modern aftermarket AM/ FM stereo unit. Two aftermarket speakers have been mounted on the interior trunk access door behind the rear seat.

The trunk contains an economy reproduction mat in the proper style, plus space saver spare tire. The inflator bottle, jack and handle are missing.

The car starts readily, runs well, and is smooth and tight on the road with great power. It will chirp the tires going into second gear when provoked.

OBSERVATIONS: This is a nice driver class GT500. Other than the paint, this Shelby is quite original in appearance and exhibits good road manners. Its various mechanical systems have been examined, repaired and/or adjusted as necessary to provide a safe and comfortable driving experience. This GT500 has also recently passed Pennsylvania state safety inspection.

I have priced this Shelby to allow the purchaser adequate economic latitude to repaint and cosmetically freshen it and still have a total investment below typical current offering prices comparably redone ‘69/70 GT500’s.

PRICE: $39,500. Shown by appointment at my facility in Middletown, PA.

Description prepared by Bill Collins on December 3, 2003

$39,500