Who knew that Shelbys were such hot commodities in the late 1970s? I recently went digging through another box of photos submitted for Hemmings Motor News, this time for the July 1978 issue, and found plenty of Shelbys for sale for prices that, well, will seem a little sadistic should I print them. But I’ll do so anyway. For example, the above photo was for an ad for a 1966 Shelby G.T.350 with automatic transmission and air conditioning. The ad describes it as white with gold stripes, which seems odd both because I don’t see any such painted cars in the photo above, and because I didn’t think Shelby built any such painted cars, but what do I know? Though the car was offered out of Nashville, the seller said it was an Alabama car since new. Price? (Oooh, you’re gonna cry.) $5,500.
The same Nashville-based seller also advertised another G.T.350 in the same issue. He said it was specially built for MGM of California, and that it featured “every possible 1965 modification,” including the automatic transmission, 10-spokes, lowered front suspension and rear-mounted battery. Asking price for the 31,000-mile car? $6,900.
One more Shelby from the same issue. The Chicago-based seller of this 1968 G.T.500KR wanted an even $7,000 for the “100 percent completely restored to original wheels up collector car” featuring a Super Cobra Jet 428, power steering, power brakes, tilt wheel and white paint with a black interior.
Enough torture with the Shelbys. Out of Linden, New Jersey, came this 1939 Ford. “This is a full 1940s professional California custom,” the seller wrote. “Chopped top (top still folds!), channeled, nosed, dechromed, sunken rear plate, De Soto bumpers. 95 percent restored.” The seller didn’t include an asking price.
I love the Wide O Oval Firestones on this 1940 Ford Deluxe coupe out of Gaffney, South Carolina. You know this thing was painted black and ran its fair share of white lightning. “One owner from Oct. 21, 1941, until last year,” the seller wrote. “Driven every day of its life on South Carolina roads. ‘49 engine, 14″ wheels. No rust, drive anywhere.” For this law-evading Ford, the seller asked just $2,650.
Finally, a couple nice color shots. The 1959 Thunderbird out of Webster City, Iowa, featured the stock engine and transmission, a new top and interior and refinished paint and had an asking price of $4,595. The 1966 Ford Country Squire didn’t have an asking price listed, but the Georgia-based seller noted that it had a 428, stereo, air conditioning and 38,000 actual miles.