1967 Mustang Shelby GT350 Is One of Just 33 Built With a Paxton Supercharger

Ultra-rare 1967 Mustang Shelby GT350 is a coveted collector’s item, but it also paved the way for the GT500 as we know it.

These days, any first-generation Mustang with a Shelby badge is special and valuable, with many of them trading hands at each and every mega auction that takes place. The latest example of this is more special than most, however – a 1967 Mustang Shelby GT350 that recently crossed the block at Mecum’s Indy sale, raking in a cool $632,500 in the process. That large sum was warranted, however, given the fact that this particular car is one of just 33 fitted with a Paxton supercharger from the get-go.

Originally shipped to Robie Ford Sales in Dorchester, Massachusetts, this 1967 Mustang Shelby GT350 arrived with “Cobra supercharger” written on its production order form, signifying that it isn’t your average GT350 from this era. Rather, Shelby was experimenting with the idea of adding power to its already potent cars by slapping a Paxton supercharger on them, which it said adds around 140 horsepower to the existing 289/306 horsepower High Performance Cobra engine.

In addition to that power adder, this car’s V8 is equipped with an aluminum intake manifold and a 715 CFM Holley carb, along with a four-speed manual transmission and disc brakes up front. Following an exhaustive 2,000-hour restoration, it’s also in incredible condition, as one would expect from a prestigious machine such as this. However, what’s even more interesting is the fact that it previewed what was to come, decades later.

 Paving the Way for the 2020 GT500

While Ford kept the S550 generation GT350 as more of a track-focused offering with a high-revving, naturally-aspirated V8 underhood and a manual transmission at hand, the same cannot be said for the top dog GT500 or subsequent versions of the car built by Shelby American.

After returning for the S197 generation, Ford got serious with the GT500 by adding, well, a supercharger to the mix. Output varied across that particular generation, but culminated with the mighty 2013 model, which cranked out an incredible for the time 662 horsepower.

Of course, the return of the GT500 for the S550 generation in the 2020 model year brought forth even more supercharged horsepower – 760 – making it the most powerful production Mustang in history. But none of this might have happened had it not been for the very first “factory” supercharged pony car – the rare GT350 with the Paxton option.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.