This one-off 1967 Shelby GT500 prototype disappeared for decades

The complete one-off 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 EXP vanished for years before it was eventually found in a terrible state and then lovingly repaired.

Dubbed Little Red – see if you can guess why – the prototype is a piece of automotive history, being the only hardtop coupe GT500 built in 1967. 

The hardtop was sent to Shelby American in late 1966, where it had the new 1967 Shelby nose, spoiler, and side scoops fitted, as well as the Shelby GT500 rear suspension. 

Its factory 390 V8 engine was taken out and replaced with a 428 V8 and a Paxton supercharger – meaning the car was a total one-off.

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The one-off Shelby was missing for decades

There are several rare Shelbys out there, such as the one-of-one Shelby Super Cobra Super Snake, which has its own tragic past; or this stunning 1965 Shelby GT530 that recently resurfaced after decades. 

And it’s a slightly similar story for Little Red which vanished for decades and became one of the most sought-after and elusive cars ever to exist. 

Rumors and speculation about its existence and whereabouts would pop up every now and again but the car remained missing for years. 

That was until 2018 when the car was finally found – but it was not in good shape. 

The car was in terrible shape when it was tracked down

Little Red’s front end was missing, its bodywork in a shocking state of disrepair, and its suspension had rusted away. 

Nonetheless, it was snapped up by Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson, who had spent months tracking down the car with the hopes of returning Little Red to its former glory. 

He enlisted the help of restoration expert Jason Billups who completely transformed the rusting heap of junk into the stunning cherry-red classic it had once been. 

Jackson unveiled Little Red alongside a fully restored 1968 Shelby EXP-500 prototype, known as the Green Hornet, in 2020. 

“Both cars were thought to be urban legends, but they’re real,” said Jackson. 

“We’ve never been able to find a photograph of the two of them together, but they’re together today.”

Don’t you just love a happy ending?