The Wild Side of Carroll Shelby: Exclusive Fun Facts About the 1967 Mustang GT500

If you're a muscle car enthusiast, the name 1967 Shelby GT500 sends shivers down your spine. This wasn't just another Mustang; it was the moment Carroll Shelby shifted away from the racetrack and fully embraced raw street power. We've put together a list of trivia that only true Big Block Mustang fans know, perfect for Mustang blog readers and GT500 collectors.

After years focusing on the small-block GT350, the Mustang grew bigger in 1967, allowing Carroll Shelby to install something truly monumental: the 428-cubic-inch Police Interceptor V8 engine. This was the first Shelby focused on gran turismo street performance, offering more comfort and speed to eat up highway miles.

Why is the 1967 GT500 the Icon?

GT500 Fun Facts That Go Beyond the Movies

1. The Unexpected Engine Source

• Trivia: The 428 V8 Big Block engine was sourced from Ford's "Police Interceptor" line, originally designed for police cruisers.

• Shelby's Tune: Carroll Shelby modified it for high performance, but Ford officially rated the horsepower at 355 hp. It is widely accepted, however, that the true output was well over 400 horsepower, a common tactic to lower insurance premiums!

2. The Super Snake Myth

• Trivia: In 1967, Shelby created the single GT500 Super Snake, installing a competition-spec 427 V8 engine (the same used in the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40!).

• The Test: The car was built for a promotional long-distance tire test for Goodyear, reaching speeds over 170 mph. The plan to produce 50 units was scrapped because the cost would have been double that of a standard GT500, making it one of the rarest and most valuable Mustangs in history!

T-Shirt Phrases: The Secret Code of the GT500 Fan

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"Double Stack Headlights." In 1967, the inner dual headlights on the GT500 were stacked vertically, a unique visual trait of that model year, distinguishing it from the '68.

"428 Police Interceptor Power." Mentions the surprising origin of the Big Block V8 engine, a crucial detail for those studying the car's history.

"The Snake That Became A GT." Alludes to Shelby's Cobra logo and the car's transition from a pure race car (GT350) to a heavier, more powerful gran turismo street machine (GT500).

"Shelby's First Big Block." The 1967 GT500 is historically significant as it was the first time Shelby installed the large-displacement V8 engine (7.0L) in the Mustang platform.