Shelby, Boss 429 Mustangs Dominate Sales At Mecum Auction

Shelby and Boss Mustangs dominated the pony car sales at the recent Mecum auction in Indianapolis. Other than a stray ‘69 Camaro ZL1 that came in at number two, every pony car that sold in the top 10 was a Shelby GT350, GT500 or Mustang Boss 429. That is incredible. 

Where was the Mopar crowd? There was one ‘71 Plymouth ’Cuda convertible in an unusual color and with a 440 6-bbl., but it was a no sale at a million bucks. Gadzooks! There were other muscle cars that sold for more than some of those listed here, but we kept the focus of this article on ponycars.

The muscle car market remains hot right now. Lots of boomers with lots of memories and tons of money are making for high prices for performance vehicles from the ’60s and ‘70s. Is this the peak? Hard to say. People are still paying millions of dollars for Cords, Duesenbergs, and Packards, and aficionados of these marques seemingly died off a long time ago. 

On to the Top 10!

1. 1965 Shelby GT350R: $2,750,000

This was no “regular” GT350 (if there could actually be such a thing). It is a genuine R model, one of only 34 produced. These cars gave the Corvettes fits in SCCA B-Production competition. This example was delivered new to Jack Loftus Ford in Hinsdale, Illinois, and was owned and raced by original owner, Dick Jordan, for 21 years.

Power is from the original 289/325 HP engine with the correct Holley 4-barrel carburetor, Cobra high-rise intake manifold, Tri-Y headers, oil cooler and high-capacity radiator.

Part of the R package was a fiberglass front body apron, functional brake cooling ducts, and a plexiglass rear window.

2. 1969 Camaro ZL-1: $1,430,000

This is Camaro number two of only 69 produced with the all-aluminum 427 option for 1969 (there were also two Corvettes). It is one of just two Camaro ZL-1s delivered to Fred Gibb Chevrolet in LaHarpe, Illinois, on New Year’s Eve in 1968. The copy of the shipping invoice states, “Ship 1230 Estes Red Hot Pilot 427 Engine 9560BA”.

The car was subsequently sent to Dick Harrell’s Performance Center in Kansas City, Missouri, with the No. 1 car to be prepped for the AHRA Winternationals in Phoenix. At the Winternationals, the new Camaro ZL-1 made an impressive debut, defeating, among others, the Sox and Martin Hemi Barracuda and launching the 427 ZL-1 into the public eye.

This is supposedly the first Camaro ZL1 sold to the public, as the first car was initially kept by Gibb and campaigned in AHRA Super Stock class. Sale included copies of the chassis and body broadcast sheets. The car was restored by Corvette Specialists of Beaumont, Texas. The engine is a correct replacement Winters ZL-1 aluminum 427. Backing the Rat is a Turbo 400 automatic and 4.10 gears in a 12-bolt rear. 

3. 1965 Shelby GT350: $1,100,000

This was advertised as a very early two-digit example, the most desirable of the GT350s; its concours restoration was completed by previous SAAC concours chairman Jim Cowles. It still has its matching-numbers HiPo 289/306 HP engine and original aluminum-case T-5 four-speed gearbox. 

Unlike later Shelby Mustangs, the ‘65s were all business. For example, this still has its factory original aluminum case T-10 4-speed transmission 3.89:1-geared Detroit Locker differential. It came from the factory with a trunk-mounted battery and delivered new to Ray Hunt Ford in Daytona Beach, Florida.

For this price, it came with a Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals Concours Gold certificate, an extensive ownership history with many historical photographs, the GT350 owner’s manual, 1965 Mustang owner’s manual, Ford high-performance manual, and no-spin differential operator’s manual.

It is listed in the Shelby Registry, documented with Shelby American invoices, and Shelby and Ford VIN certification by the Shelby American Automobile Club.

4. 1970 Mustang Boss 429: $660,000

Boss 429 were never inexpensive, not when new, nor used. This Boss carries the Kar Kraft KK No. 2275. It is one of nine examples produced in Grabber Green with White interior. 

The odometer reads 4,899 miles and the car is supposedly in highly original condition. Equipment includes the 375-horse, aluminum-headed 429 “semi-hemi” engine, a close ratio four speed, Drag Pack, Competition suspension, power front disc brakes, power steering, Convenience and Decor group, not to mention the build sheet and Elite Marti report. It was delivered new to Thompson Ford Inc in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

5. 1969 Mustang Boss 429: $660,000

It’s hard to argue with a Raven Black Boss 429, one of only 21 so painted that hue. Like the non-R GT350 above, this Boss was part of the Apex Collection, which offered (and sold) a ton of vehicles in Indy. 

This example sold new at Fred Jones Ford in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was equipped with power steering, power front disc brakes and a 3.91 Traction-Lok rear. It had a ton of documentation and was treated to a high-dollar rotisserie restoration.

6. 1966 Shelby GT350 “Carryover”: $605,000

The first ‘66 Shelby GT350s were actually carryover ‘65 Mustangs from the San Jose Ford plant because there wouldn’t be ‘66 models available in time for Shelby. They are a unique mix of both ‘65 and ‘66 Shelby details, and have the plexiglas rear quarter window treatment of the new ’66 car. 

This is said to be an extremely early two-digit Carryover with its matching-numbers 289/306 HP engine. It has an aluminum case T-10 and is obviously decked out in Wimbledon White with Guardsmen Blue stripes.

This car is listed in the Shelby Registry and got a rotisserie restoration. This attention to detail led to an MCA Gold award and a Chuck Cantwell award. 

7. 1969 Mustang Boss 429: $528,000

If Raven Black is not to your liking, how about Royal Maroon? This is said to be an early production Boss 9 and it was treated to a no-expense-spared rotisserie restoration and it does have its original engine. It came complete with a build sheet and the window sticker. 

Factory early production S-Code Boss 429 engine and the close-ratio four-speed car got power steering and power front disc brakes, a 3.91 Traction-Lok, and Competition suspension.

8. 1969 Mustang Boss 429: $440,000

If you prefer Candy Apple Red to black or maroon, you could have yourself between $88,000 and $165,000. Talk about a deal! The was Kar Kraft No. 1255, of the first 50 ‘69 Boss 429s. It was restored by SCCA head judge Ed Meyer and Meyer’s Cars. 

During the resto, it got correct assembly-line paint daubs and chalk marks. It has the Deluxe interior decor group, Deluxe belts with warning lights, Color-keyed racing mirrors, Visibility group and 15×7 Magnum 500 wheels.

9. 1967 Shelby GT500: $363,000

The first of the big-block Shelbys, replete with its dual-quad 428 cubic inch FE with 355 horsepower. It is car No. 02393 and one of 31 Shelby Mustangs produced that year in Acapulco Blue. While many ‘67 Shelbys now have the LeMans stripes, according to our sources, no car were delivered from Shelby that year with them, nor are there records of dealers adding them prior to sale. 

These are the last of the true Shelby-built Mustangs before Ford took over production in ‘68.  Along with a four-speed, it has power steering and front disc brakes, a fold-down rear seat, and 10-spoke Shelby aluminum wheels with BFGoodrich white letter tires.

It was sold new at Stark Hickey Ford in Royal Oak, Michigan, and came with a Marti Report and Shelby research group detailed car report.

10. 1969 Mustang Boss 429: $346,500

This is KK No. 1851 and it actually has a racing pedigree. Purportedly drag-raced as “The Puerto Rican Boss” early in its life, following its racing career, it was put on a flatbed truck in the early 1970s and was left untouched until it was discovered in 2007

It was rotisserie-restored by Kevin’s Klassic Cars and the body was media-blasted and the A-arms were dipped in black paint rather than spraying them per factory standard. It was said to have the proper overspray patterns on the undercarriage and paint and chalk marks are present. Despite being drag raced, it is said to have its matching numbers Boss engine and four-speed manual transmission.

Honorable Mention: 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda 440 Six-Bbl: No Sale

The bidding went up to a million dollars, but that was not enough for the owner of this ’Cuda. Not often you see this color, and it has a four-speed. Makes us wonder: How much would be enough?