The Shelby GT500 has been turning heads as a stunning example of performance American automotive power since its introduction in 1967. Ford really got it right with the Shelby Mustang in general, as can be seen not only in their huge cult following but also in their famous wins at the Le Mans.
Although not much can rival the ferocity and acclaim of the Shelby GT500, there are just a couple of powerhouses that can, and of course, they are made by two other huge names in performance and racing- Chevrolet and Ferrari.
When comparing the 1967 Shelby GT500 to some of its biggest rivals, the Chevrolet Stingray 437 and Ferrari 250 GTO of the same or an approximate year, both come to mind. Each of these contenders has their own dedicated fan base, but it could never be said that they weren’t unique in other ways as well.
Let’s take a closer look at how the 1967 Shelby GT500 compares to its rivals!
A Brief History Of The Shelby GT
The Shelby GT was initially offered back in 1965 under the name “Cobra.” Those GT 350 models were based on the racing car created by Carroll Shelby to compete against Ford’s rival at the time, Ferrari, in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
The Shelby successfully and shockingly did just what it set out to do in that regard. For four straight years, Ford won the Le Mans (from 1966 to 1969). The initial win was so shocking and headline-making that it was recently recounted in a movie, Ford v Ferrari, in 2019.
From those far-from-humble beginnings, the GT evolved into the GT 500, which began being offered as an upgrade to the GT 350 in 1967. The car has since gained a huge following, partially based on its appearance as a main prize, "Eleanor," in the movie, Gone in 60 Seconds, which aired in 2000 and starred Nicholas Cage as a car thief in pursuit of this vehicle.
How The GT500 Compares With The Competition
Though there is no denying the extremely large fan base of the 1967 Shelby GT 500, the Chevrolet Stingray has its own following. In fact, the car also appeared in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds, although as a slightly more attainable prize. Although the Ferrari 250 GTO has appeared in several car-centric television series, the others have also been featured as well, landing it last in the category of fame, with a much less prestigious media presence.
Under the engine, the average range GT 500 boasts a 428 cubic inch, 7-liter V8 capable of up to 355 hp (other variants are available up to 600 hp). The Stingray 427 also offers a V8, nearly the same size at 427 cubic inches, but with the pushrod 16 valve, it is rated a bit higher for 435 hp at 5,800 rpm. The Ferrari steps away from the V8, instead opting for a smaller 180.2 cubic inch V12 that offered less horsepower at just 296 hp at 7,500 rpm.
Although they have varying engines with widely differing outputs of power, each of the contenders has a very decent 0-60 time and top speed. The GT 500 goes 0-60 in just 6.5 seconds, the Stingray in just 4.7 seconds, and the Ferrari (1964) in just 6.0 seconds. This one goes to the Stingray by a narrow margin, but all cars have an admirable ability to get up to speed.
As far as rarity goes, there were just 2,048 GT 500s manufactured, making them very collectible. Although 22,940 1967 Stingrays were manufactured, just 216 of the L88 iterations were made and, of those, just 20 were produced with a working hood scoop, making certain versions even more collectible than the GT 500. Finally, Ferrari made just 39 total 250 GTOs from 1962-1964, making it the rarest of the models.
That rarity comes at a price, however, and to purchase a Ferrari GTO today could cost you millions. Recently, a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO sold privately for $70 million, and another sold at auction for $48.4 million. A 1967 Stingray 427 sells for an average of around $170,000, which is much more affordable than the millions you’d spend on the Ferrari, but still nothing to scoff at. Finally, the GT 500 can cost as little as $100,000 or as much as $2.2 million for the Super Snake version.
The varying prices of the Shelby GT 500, alongside its renowned collectibility, make it a more reasonable purchase for many collectors. However, there are clearly rivals out there in the 1964 Ferrari 350 GTO and the 1967 Chevrolet Stingray 427. It really comes down to individual preferences, availability, and finances on which comes out the ultimate victor in the performance automobile arena from this timeframe.