Page 72 - Barrett-Jackson_Experience_Spring2021
P. 72

engineer E. David Long as “the     the most unique GT500s ever built   painstakingly restored over a five-
          greatest electronic engineer I have   by Shelby Engineering.          year process and brought back to
          ever run into.” By 1968, Goodell   Known as Serial #101, this is one   period-correct factory engineering
          managed at least four vehicles with   of the first 1968 Shelbys built, and   specifications by Pete Disher, who
          this famed fuel-injection system.   features many handmade parts,     is among the foremost experts on
          Three of the first four cars built   including many pre-production    Shelby engineering cars and the
          were designated as fuel-injection   fiberglass components. The car    Head Judge for 1968 models at
          test vehicles – and this is one of   is believed to be the first GT500   the Shelby American Automobile
          them.                              to feature the Ram Air hood        Club (SAAC). Disher, like
          On offer with No Reserve at the    later found on KR models. More     Shelby and Goodell before him,
          2021 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale    importantly, it is one of only     thought highly of the Conelec
          Auction as Lot #1397 is one        two functioning Conelec fuel-      fuel-injection system and has
          of the rarest and most unique      injection Shelbys – the other being   used original blueprints and 3D
          Shelbys ever, a 1968 Shelby        the famed “Green Hornet.’” This    technology to fabricate identical
          GT500 Factory Engineering car.     Shelby #101, however, is the only   versions. In fact, Disher went so
          Purpose-built engineering cars     Conelec-equipped fastback in       far as to work with E. David Long’s
          were assigned to the Shelby        existence – a bit of Shelby Royalty,   son, Chris Long, to make sure the
          Engineering Department in Ionia,   as well as an enduring statement of   system in this car is as period-
          Michigan, where they were used to   what was happening within Ford    correct as possible.
          test innovative components and     and Shelby American in the prime   Finished in stunning Sunlit Gold
          features not found on the regular   of the American muscle car.       over a black interior, the #101
          production models. This particular   Rare in provenance, design and   GT500’s original equipment
          car was used to test the 428 Cobra   execution, #101 can proudly      includes air conditioning, a C6
          Jet with the Conelec fuel injection.   sit as the centerpiece of any   automatic transmission and an AM
          That alone makes this car one of                                      radio. Additional items tested in its
                                             Shelby collection. This car was



        72       BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE       SPRING 2021
   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77