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The late Carroll Shelby knew a thing or two about the Ford Mustang. It’s why it’s remarkable that one of his best personal ‘Stangs is about to be up for grabs.
Next month, Barrett-Jackson will auction off the automotive legend’s 1968 Mustang Black Hornet as part of its annual sales event in Scottsdale. It wasn’t just a car that quickly passed through Shelby’s collection, either. It’s actually been a part of it for 40 years.
The Black Hornet was Shelby’s homage to the Mustang Green Hornet concept he worked on at Ford in 1967. That muscle car, which would later be called the EXP-500, would never go into production, but it served as the inspiration for GT/CS model, or “California Special,” launched in 1968.
Carroll Shelby and his 1968 Ford Mustang “Black Hornet”
Barrett-Jackson
Shelby seems to have really taken to the Green Hornet as his tribute looks almost identical to it except for one significant difference—the paint. This is a true triple black Mustang, meaning its body, top and interior are all finished in color. The black theme is only broken up by chrome Shelby badging and white and gold “EXP-500 CSS” graphics on the underside of the car between its wheels. The cabin also features some faux wood trim on the door panels and dash, the latter of which is also signed by Shelby. There are many beautiful Mustangs from this era, but this one-of-a-kind coupé is one of the most fascinating.
Someone like Shelby doesn’t keep a car for decades just because it looks good. The Black Hornet is also a monster. Under its hood lurks a 428 Cobra Jet V-8. The mill is mated to a four-speed manual that sends its 335 hp and 445 ft lbs of torque to the rear axle. Other performance upgrades include a high-volume fuel pump, Holley carburetor, aluminum intake and heads, Mallory ignition and Griffin radiator, according to the auction listing. It also has independent suspension, another detail that sets it apart from the Green Hornet.
Inside the Mustang “Black Hornet”
Barrett-Jackson
Shelby may have owned the car for 40 years before signing it over to his foundation in 2008, but he didn’t drive it much. The car only has 564 miles on the odometer today, only 213 came while it was with him. That means it’s basically in mint condition, which makes us think the Black Hornet will sell a bundle when it hits the block at Scottsdale 2023, which runs from Saturday, Jan. 21 to Sunday, Jan. 29.
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