Pictures Of The First Production GT 500 At The Shelby American Collection

Hello Everyone,

We just got home from delivering our car to the Shelby American Collection. We were able to park it next to 5R002, the first GT 350 completed by Shelby American. I think it is simply awesome to have the first GT 350 and the first production GT 500 displayed together. The nightmist blue '67 GT 500 parked on the opposite side of our car is Stephen Becker's "survivor" car. So, needless to say our car is in fine company.

My wife and I are very proud to have our car on display for this year's Christmas party. The car will remain on display until sometime this spring.

We hope that you enjoy the pictures.

Best regards,
Eric and Carrie Johnson

 

Mark,

Thanks for the compliments. We are not too confident that Shelby is going to specifically remember the car; but you never know. We hope he is in good spirits next Saturday night and feels well enough to walk over to the car. We sure hope to be able to get some photos of him standing next to the car and have the dash signed.

Best regards,
Eric

 

Jim,

Thanks for the compliments. To answer your questions:

We found the car at a car show in Denver in November of 1979. It was "presentable", but needed a lot of work. The guy that owned it lived about 3 miles away from us; but we had never seen the car prior to the show. We paid $8,500.00 for the car. It was more than the car was worth at the time, but in the long run we came out WAY AHEAD on the deal. At the time we did not know that it was the first production GT 500. We found out that it was probably the first production GT 500 in 1981 if I remember correctly. It is identified as such in the 1982 SAAC Registry. We are slowly taking the car back to a more stock/stock appearing state. We drive it during the summer months here in Colorado. We know that we are very fortunate to own this piece of Shelby American history.

Best regards,
Eric

 

Hello,

Thanks for the compliment and the car will be on display until April or so of 2008.


Jim,
Thanks again. My parents arranged the loan for me and co-signed on it. I had been working part time since 1977 at a heating and air conditioning company. They knew that I was responsible enough to take care of the car and keep my grades up in high school. It took me 10 years to pay off the loan. I am very grateful and fortunate to have had such wonderful parents. We lost my Dad in 2003. He was extremely proud of the car and I know that he would be ecstatic to see some of the recognition the car has received in the past couple of years. My Mom is also still interested in the car all these years later. She comes out with my wife and I when we show the car. We will have to take Mom over to the Shelby American Collection sometime soon.

Good luck with the restoration on your car. Keep us informed and post some pictures of your progress.

Best regards,
Eric

 

Jeff,

Thank you very much for the compliments. The car does show pretty well. Being positioned with 5R002 and Stephen Becker's "survivor" car (0213) made for a really nice display. Thanks again.

Best regards,
Eric