Carroll Shelby’s 1968 ‘Black Hornet’ heads to auction
Barrett-Jackson will auction the sure-to-be-pricey Mustang coupe at no reserve in Scottsdale next month
Coleman Molnar Published Dec 16, 2022
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Last updated 6 days ago
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Carroll Shelby’s 1968 “Black Hornet” heads to auction Photo by Barrett-Jackson
- Black Hornet is one of two notchback Shelby Mustangs from the late ’60s
- This particular prototype belonged to Carroll Shelby for 40 years
- Heads to auction in mint condition with just over 900 km on odometer
A piece of Carroll Shelby’s personal collection is going up for sale at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson event. The “Black Hornet” is a 1968 Ford Mustang coupe that was modelled directly after the 1967 Green Hornet, itself a modified prototype for what was to become the California Special.
The two notchback Mustangs were nearly identical in construction, save for the fact that the Black Hornet had an independent suspension, EFI fuel delivery, and was finished in Triple Black (with ‘Stetson Black’ paint, for the hat Shelby often wore) instead of green.
Carroll Shelby’s 1968 “Black Hornet” heads to auction Photo by Barrett-Jackson
Carroll Shelby’s 1968 “Black Hornet” heads to auction Photo by Barrett-Jackson
Carroll Shelby’s 1968 “Black Hornet” heads to auction Photo by Barrett-Jackson
Carroll Shelby’s 1968 “Black Hornet” heads to auction Photo by Barrett-Jackson
Carroll Shelby’s 1968 “Black Hornet” heads to auction Photo by Barrett-Jackson
Carroll Shelby’s 1968 “Black Hornet” heads to auction Photo by Barrett-Jackson
Carroll Shelby’s 1968 “Black Hornet” heads to auction Photo by Barrett-Jackson
Carroll Shelby’s 1968 “Black Hornet” heads to auction Photo by Barrett-Jackson
Carroll Shelby’s 1968 “Black Hornet” heads to auction Photo by Barrett-Jackson
The car remained a part of Shelby’s personal collection for 40 years and was driven rarely (to the tune of 213 miles) until it was given over to the Shelby Foundation in 2008. It’s since doubled its modest mileage and now sits at 564 miles (908 km) as it prepares to cross the auction block. By looking at it, you’d never know it had done a mile. The black paint and white lettering is pristine, as are the 10-spoke Shelby wheels and various Cobra plates.
The Black Hornet contains a 428 Cobra Jet big-block V8 with aluminum heads, a Holley carburetor, Mallory ignition, a Griffin radiator, and a four-speed manual transmission. Whoever wins the bidding war over this one will also walk away with a certificate of authenticity signed by Shelby himself; and a toy diecast of the car.
The Black Hornet will be sold at no reserve at Barrett-Jackson’s auction in Scottsdale, Arizona in January 2023.
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