Summary

1970 GT350 convertible painted in Gulfstream Aqua. Rotisserie-restored Shelby powered by a 351ci 8-cylinder engine backed by an automatic transmission. One of 57 convertibles built, and one of five painted in Gulfstream Aqua.

Details

With its combination of options, this Gulfstream Aqua with black deluxe interior 1970 Shelby GT350 convertible, as built, is one of 57 convertibles and one of five painted in Gulfstream Aqua. It has been rotisserie-restored and comes with a framed Deluxe Marti Report. The original drivetrain is in good condition. The 1970 Shelby Mustangs have a special history because they are actually 1969 models updated to 1970 specifications by Ford at the Kar Kraft plant, and are the only cars ever allowed, by law, to carry over from one model year to another. Facing increasingly stringent emissions regulations along with in-house competition from Ford models like the Mach 1 and Boss 302, Carroll Shelby decided to end the Shelby Mustang program after 1969. However, with cars still in the pipeline at the A.O. Smith final assembly facility, the decision was made to update these late-build 1969 Shelbys as 1970 GT350s and GT500s. Externally, twin black hood stripes and a chin spoiler differentiated the 1970 Shelbys from the 1969s. Also, the first character in the VIN was changed from a 9 to a 0, an update that required replacing the driver’s-door data plate and the windshield VIN plate, as well as the all of the factory paperwork. Due to a new federal regulation that required a locking steering column, the 1970 Shelby update had to be completed before January 1, 1970. Therefore, the 1970 Shelbys do not have a locking column like all other 1970 Mustangs. Otherwise, the 1970 models were equipped with the unique 1969 Shelby components, including a fiberglass front end, hood with five functional NACA scoops, functional side scoops, reflective stripes, a rear end with a duck-tail spoiler and 1965 Thunderbird taillights, a center-mount exhaust port, 15” 5-spoke aluminum wheels and a roll bar for convertibles. This Shelby is powered by a 351ci 8-cylinder engine backed by an automatic transmission. Fully documented in the Shelby SAAC national registry, this GT350 has had three owners since new, and its dash is signed by Carroll Shelby.