Ford Shelby GT500 view

In April 1970, Rick Wood was studying chemical engineering at the University of Arkansas when he heard that Carroll Shelby had stopped building Shelby Mustangs. A Shelby fan since 1965 after watching an original R-Model destroy the Corvettes at an old military airstrip-turned-racetrack, Rick saw his chance of owning a new Shelby going out the dormitory window. Then he remembered seeing a magazine ad with a list of Shelby dealers.
Ford Shelby GT500 Photos


Ford Shelby GT500 Photos


Ford Shelby GT500 Photos


Ford Shelby GT500 Photos


Ford Shelby GT500 Photos


Ford Shelby GT500 Photos


Ford Shelby GT500 Photos


Ford Shelby GT500 Photos


Ford Shelby GT500 Photos


Ford Shelby GT500 Photos


Ford Shelby GT500 Photos


In 1970, Shelbys were rarely seen on the highway. Just 3,153 were built for '69, with 789 of them updated to '70 models with hood stripes and front chin spoiler. As one of the few people in Arkansas with a new Shelby GT500, Rick showed it off by circling the Dairy Queen in Fayetteville, recalling that people were mostly interested in the reflective side stripes. "On the white car, the stripes were bright blue. They really got attention at night."