The Ford Mustang and GT40 may be the brand’s models that Carroll Shelby is most associated with, but his interest in its cars went even further than that.
A 1966 Thunderbird Town Landau that belonged to the legendary automotive designer is currently up for bid on Bring a Trailer. The commanding coupé served as Shelby’s company car while he worked with the Blue Oval helping fine tune the G40 for its greatest success at that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The first-generation Mustang really could not have been more different than the fourth-generation T-Bird. The former spent its first years defining what a muscle car could be, while the latter was completing its transition from a two-seat sportscar to a luxury coupé. Shelby, who was also a race car driver, clearly loved to go fast, but it would seem that he wasn’t opposed to taking his foot off the pedal and enjoying some of life’s comforts. Shelby American ordered 10 Thunderbirds from Ford, and this one would be used by the company’s founder as his daily driver.
Carroll Shelby’s 1966 Ford Thunderbird
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When the T-Bird debuted it was a zippy little sports car, but by the mid-‘60s it had grown up in more ways than one. The fourth iteration of the two-door sported a squared-off and stretched-out design that signaled both power and sophistication. Shelby’s example left the factory in Candyapple Red but was stripped down to the metal in 2020 and repainted Rangoon Red. The car does feature a white vinyl top and black leather upholstery, though, just as it did when it was brand new. Creature comforts include air conditioning, power windows, and an AM radio with power antennae.
The fourth-generation Thunderbird may not have been a sports car, but it still packed a punch under its long hood. The coupé is powered by a 428-cubic-inch V-8 that generates 345 hp and 462 ft lbs of torque. It’s also equipped with a heavy-duty suspension and power steering to help ensure a smooth ride. It’s been comprehensively refurbished since its current owner acquired it in 2018 and looks to be in swell shape.
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In the market for a car that Carroll Shelby actually drove? His old T-Bird is up for auction through this Sunday, September 8. As of press time, bidding had reached $33,000, which is about half what the car would have cost brand new in today’s money.
Click here for more photos of Carroll Shelby’s 1966 Ford Thunderbird.
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