1969 was the last year for the Shelby Mustangs. Although the Shelby was selling well, Ford felt that it duplicated the regular high performance Mustang offerings . And the Shelby was no longer the cutting edge when it came to high performance- that honor went to the new 1969 Boss 302 and Boss 429 Mustang. Still, if you wanted an attractive boulevard cruiser, you couldn't do better than a 1969 Shelby.
Based on the new Sportsroof and convertible 1969 Mustangs, the Shelby's styling was unique and bore little resemblance to the production Mustangs. As before, two models were available, the GT350 and GT500, each in a fastback or convertible.
Whereas previous Shelby's featured front end styling that resembled the production Mustang, 1969 styling was a complete departure. Fiberglass front fenders and hood created a large rectangular grille opening that house two 7" headlights with two Lucas fog lamps mounted below the front bumper. A fiberglass deck lid with a pronounced rear spoiler was used as were 1965 Thunderbird taillights
There was no shortage of scoops on the 1969 Shelby- five on the hood, two on the front fenders and two on the rear fenders in front of the rear wheels. The convertible's rear scoops were mounted lower so that they wouldn't interfere with the convertible top mechanism.
Both models got side stripes that ran the length of the car with either GT350 or GT500 lettering at the front fenders.
The interior was basically the Mustang's Deluxe Interior Decor Group, which meant simulated wood trim on the dash, sculptured door panels, and console. Also included were high back bucket seats and upgraded instrumentation. All Shelby Mustangs came with roll bars with the convertibles getting the same padded bar used on 1968 models.
The GT350 models came with Ford's new 351 cubic inch Windsor V-8, basically and enlarged 302. It featured an aluminum intake manifold, dual exhausts and Cobra valve covers. It was rated at 290 hp. The GT500 models were equipped with the 335hp 428CJ (Cobra Jet) big block V-8 or the optional 428SCJ (Super Cobra Jet). The SCJ was rated at the same hp, but featured heavier duty engine components, an external oil cooler and a 3:90 or 4:30:1 axle ratio.
The suspension was the same Competition Suspension used on the 1969 Mustang Mach 1, with either the four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. Wheels were unique to the Shelby- 15x7 inch rims that used an aluminum center section welded to a chrome steel rim. Most came with Goodyear F60x15 Polyglas GT tires. Other standard features included power steering and power front disc brakes
789 cars were unsold in 1969. These were "updated" and sold as 1970 models by changing the VIN to reflect 1970 as the model year. To differentiate them from the 1969s, a Boss 302 type front chin spoiler was used and twin black hood stripes set the hood off.
The 1969 Shelby was a striking visual package which reaked of high performance. But for less cost, one could get the exact same performance with a less expensive Mach 1. Today, of course, a nicely restored Shelby will fetch considerably more than a comparable Mach 1, especially the convertible. That's what happens with low production, the Shelby name and decidedly unique styling.
