Ford Mustang brand of cars has been in existence since April 17, 1964, when Ford, its American manufacturer decided to release it. The release of Mustang was pleasantly received by car enthusiasts as it sold so much that its launch is claimed by Ford to be the most successful launch since Ford Model A.
While auction has been an age-long process for the exchange of goods – antiques, expensive wines, and rare collectibles like vintage cars – and services, car auctions have been a regular practice over time as well. Mustang being a super brand has been a regular feature in various car auctions world over since its inception. Here, we highlight the 10 most expensive Ford Mustangs ever sold at an auction.
10 1969 MUSTANG BOSS 429 (MECUM AUCTIONS, 2013)
Born out homologation, Ford built just 1358 units of the 1969 Boss 429 making it an instant collector’s item. To top that, this particular car is an unrestored version of the 429 that was previously owned by former MCA national head judge, Bob Perkins and popular Mustang/Shelby collector, Richard Ellis.
The almost original state of this car after decades of its production and the lowly less than 1,000 miles on its odometer makes it a top priority for any Mustang collector or enthusiasts. It was sold for $550,000 at the Mecum auctions in Monterey, 2013.
9 2007 SHELBY GT500 FASTBACK (BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION, 2007)
After 35 years break, the Shelby Mustang partnership decided to bring out another car and it was the 2007 GT500. Ford decided it’s offering the first production to the highest bidder at the Barrett-Jackson auction with all the proceeds donated to the Carroll Shelby’s Children’s Foundation.
The 2007 Shelby GT500 was then the most powerful factory-built Mustang and having the Shelby badge made it more special. The auctioned car was scheduled to go back to the factory and produced to the winning bidder’s specifications. It was auctioned off for $600,000.
8 1969 MUSTANG BOSS 429 FASTBACK (BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION, 2007)
As a Mustang enthusiast or collector, nothing tops owning one of the first 50 hand-built 1969 Mustang Boss 429 Fastbacks. 1969 Boss 429 models are quite special and unique, but these early hand-built ones are even more special with a robust history as they are invoiced through Shelby Automotive D.S.O and put through Kar Kraft with 428 SCJ drag-pack drivetrains and suspensions among other things.
It cost quite a lot to hand-build the 1969 BOSS 429s, but they were built anyway in compliance with NASCAR rules and this particular one was auctioned off for $605,000 at the 2007 Barrett-Jackson auction.
7 2007 SHELBY GT FASTBACK “SERIAL 001” (BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION, 2007)
The first of its kinds, this 2007 Shelby GT Fastback has the serial number 001 – meaning it was the first-ever production unit of this model that was assembled. Occasionally, the proceeds from sales of an auctioned Carroll Shelby’s car do go to the Carroll Shelby’s Children’s Foundation and this was one of those cars designated for such.
The Shelby GT Fastback is an upgraded Mustang GT with a major focus on performance, handling, and aesthetics. Awarded the lot number 1300 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, it was sold for $660,000.
6 1969 SHELBY GT500 CONVERTIBLE (BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION, 2008)
This is Shelby’s car. No, not as a company, but this car belongs to Carroll Shelby – the American car designer and race driver who is responsible in partnership with Ford for the Shelby Ford brand of cars. Powered by a c.i.d. Cobra Jet, Shelby’s GT500 convertible is one of only 247 units and it was sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, 2008
Owned and driven by Carroll Shelby himself for more than three decades, no doubt this car was a major highlight at the event and was eventually auctioned off for $742,500.
5 1965 SHELBY GT350 R (RM SOTHEBY’S ANDREWS COLLECTION, 2015)
This is a 1965 Shelby GT350 R with chassis number 5R108 – a classic track star. Mexican driver Pedro Rodriguez brought some glory to himself using his driving skills and the incredible ability of this GT350 R to earn notable victories against the factory prototype and competition-spec 289 Cobra. It subsequently won more track awards over the years.
Rocking unusual red and green stripes (GT350 Rs are painted white, with blue stripes) courtesy of Mexico City privateer, this GT350 R was sold for $770,000 at the Andrews Collection in 2015.
4 1965 SHELBY MUSTANG GT350 R (RM AUCTIONS, 2014)
This is the 1965 Shelby GT350 R with chassis number SFM-5R538. It has amassed so much success on the race tracks that it’s now regarded as a track legend. Although its compatriot was sold for a higher price in a 2012 auction, this is by miles more successful and probably even the most successful racing Shelby ever.
Already a successful racing car, yet it was further upgraded when racer Charlie Kemp acquired it 1967, leading it to even greater track glory. This Mustang was sold at the 2014 RM auctions in Monterey for a cool $984,500.
3 1965 SHELBY GT350 R (RM AUCTIONS, 2012)
Shelby built the GT350 R as a racing version of the GT350 – it was built lighter, faster and has more power in comparison to the normal GT350. Only 34 of this car were built making it as exclusive as a car can get. Along with the exclusivity, this particular GT350 R has less than 4,900 miles on it, only ever driven by its first owner, Richard Jordan.
This GT350 comes fitted with a V-8 engine producing 325 horsepower and four-speed manual transmission. It was sold in 2012 at the RM auctions in Monterey for $900,000 to an undisclosed Mustang enthusiast.
2 1967 MUSTANG GT500 ELEANOR (MECUM AUCTION, 2013)
For his movie “Gone in 60 Seconds”, Director Dominic Sena got Cinema Vehicle Services to team up with iconic coachbuilder Chip Foose to produce the Eleanor Mustang using the 1967 Mustang Fastback. Eleven Mustang Eleanors were produced while only three were the actual working cars used for the filming.
Driven by actor Nicolas Cage, Eleanor became an instant movie star leading many people to build its replicas. Featured in the 2013 Mecum auction in Indianapolis, one of the three working Elenaors, boosted by its Hollywood history was sold for $1 million.
1 1967 SHELBY GT500 SUPER SNAKE (MECUM AUCTION, 2019)
The world most expensive Mustang ever sold at an auction is this particular 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake. It is a concept car created by Shelby through the normal 1967 GT500 Mustang. Being the only make, this car set a world record when it was sold for $1.3 million by RM Sotheby in Monterey California in 2013.
It didn’t end there, as the Super Snake was at the center of attraction once more when it got auctioned at the Mecum Kissimmee auction in Florida and beats its previous record to be sold for a whopping $2.2 million.