Story and Photos by MCSD member Craig Cline

Back in the early ‘80s I had an original 1969 Shelby GT500 fastback that I had restored. Up until that point in my life I had been constantly changing cars, not keeping any for more than a couple of years, (sometimes much less). When I got the itch to up-grade again, I put the Shelby up for sale and started shopping for a Pantera.

While I was looking around for the right Pantera, I also looked around for a Mustang “driver”. I found an inex-pensive 1969 Mustang convertible that was well worn-some might say worn out. It was 351W powered with factory A/C and was also a rust-free California car. I also knew I had a stash of original Shelby parts stock-piled from restoring my GT500 fastback. These would someday allow me to build the Shelby convertible I had lusted after, but could never afford. I bought both the convertible and my Pantera in September of 1984, and we still have both.

In the spring of 1985 I met my wife to be – Nancy. Once the wedding date was set in September, 1986, I had a deadline to complete the Shelby replica crea-tion/restoration of the convertible so it could be used as our wedding car.

With help and a special thanks to my brother Brad, and friends Fred McMilon, Lester Kawahara, and Mike Marincovich, off came all the Mustang parts and on went all the unique Shelby parts. With the relatively short time-table for the impending wedding, we could only complete the exterior, partial interior, and sus-pension restoration, leaving the engine and driveline for “later”.

I had already removed the original Campagnolo wheels from my Pantera and knew they would be go-ing on the “new” Shelby. Future plans for a Pantera included a 351C engine to add to the Shelby-Pantera connection. With the current 351W and planned 351C engines, the convertible was originally striped as a GT350 (which all had 351 engines).

Our “new” Shelby convertible was completed just in time to use as part of our wedding, providing both transportation between venues, and also as a photo background.

After the wedding I was distracted by the purchase of a vintage Trans-Am race car, the 1967 Bob Estes Cougar. The needed engine and other planned upgrades for our Shelby convertible were put on the back burner.

After the birth of our first daughter Randi in 1989, I was forced to sell the Ranchero I had been using to tow the T/A Cougar. There was simply not enough room for two adults and her car seat. I couldn’t find a buyer for the 428 pow-ered Ranchero I had built, so I pulled the engine and sold the car to a friend who wanted a project car for his teenage son.

Since I now had a perfectly good 428 without a home, I decided to forego the planned 351C engine transplant for the Shelby and installed the 428 into it in 1990. The con-vertible was later re-striped as a GT500 (since they all had 428 engines). The 428 transplant was completed just in time for a debut at the San Diego Mustang Show at Sea World in 1990.

The following year brought our second daughter Jamie. Along with the continued vintage Trans-Am racing and rais-ing our daughters, the Shelby became a little used garage queen.

Over the years my interest in the Shelby convertible has come and gone as other car projects have come and gone. Nancy has asked me why I hang onto the Shelby when we drive it so little, and my response is always the same; There isn’t a single part on the Shelby that I did not remove, re-store, and replace. I’ve put so much time and effort into the Shelby that I just can’t stand the thought of parting with it.

This persistence, or maybe its stubbornness, came up smelling like roses when Jamie decided she wanted to use the Shel-by at her wedding in 2015, recreating our wedding photos with her new husband. And Randi also used it at her wed-ding in 2019, completing our Shelby convertibles family wedding history.

The paint may be unchanged from 1986. But that hasn’t stopped more recent upgrades to the Shelby including a new convertible top, a custom retro-look interior including Recaro seats upholstered with original style “Comfortweave” material with full instrumentation and a center console. Also upgraded was the addition of the full Shelby Ram-Air system under the hood.

It will always be a “project”, with future plans that include an engine refresh, adding A/C, and conversion to a modern overdrive trans (either a 4-speed auto or 5-speed manual).

The Shelby has been a member of the family from day one and we see it staying that way. . . .