The One and only Green Hornet

Special ONES After some time ago we briefly discussed the King of the Road, now we will discuss another GT500 model that is no less amazing, namely the Shelby EXP500 'Green Hornet'. Arguably one of the rarest and most sought after Mustangs, unfortunately the Green Hornet fails to sell at Barrett-Jackson despite $1.8 million bid in early January of 2013. 😏

1968 Shelby EXP500 Green Hornet. (Picture from: AutoGuide)

This gorgeous prototype was came about when Ford commissioned the building of a “California Special” Mustang prototype, that was shown off to gauge public reaction and decide whether to move forward with the project or not. In the end, Ford did not approve the program, and sent the car back to Shelby to become a different prototype.

Left side view of 1968 Shelby EXP500 Green Hornet. (Picture from: Hemmings)

The notchback coupe-style prototype was internally known as EXP 500, and became a pet project of Carroll Shelby himself as well as Shelby chief engineer Fred Goodell. The car is also equipped with an independent rear suspension and a unique rear disc brake configuration on all four wheels and a Conelec fuel injection system. All of which were revolutionary in the 1960s, when fuel injection was not commonly used in cars until two decades later.

Interior view of 1968 Shelby EXP500 Green Hornet. (Picture from: Hemmings)

Although Barrett-Jackson did not provide further details about this 'Green Hornet', Hemmings did provide an explanation about the car in detail more than 10 years ago, in a test vehicle. After trials are completed, the car is then 'stripped' of its innovative features to be sent to Ford's Employee and Auction Resale Lot. 

1968 Shelby EXP500 Green Hornet is powered by an experimental 428CJ fed via an experimental Conelec electronic fuel-injection unit. (Picture from: Hemmings)

In other word, perhaps due to this fondness for the car by the execs, it escaped being destroyed and was allowed to slip into the mainstream market. The cars was then taken by Robert Zdanowski and eventually sold to a Ford dealer in Cheboygan, Michigan, named Don Darrow.

Rear side view of 1968 Shelby EXP500 Green Hornet. (Picture from: Hemmings)

Don was not familiar with the history of this car so he made some changes to the model. In 1980, his son read a book by Paul Newitt and learned that his father's car was a very special Ford Mustang. After all these years, the car has resurfaced, and been fully restored for sale in January 2013. It comes with a certificate of authenticity from Ford. 

Who would have thought that at that time this beautiful car were not sold, maybe because of the fantastic price figures. But we think that number is reasonable considering the Green Hornet was a rare wheeled gem ever. Lastly, the EXP500 Green Hornet shown to public once again in the 2019 SEMA Show, where the visitors spoiled with the history of the restoration of this iconic muscle car in the form of documentation at their booth. *** [EKA [09072015] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BARRET-JACKSON | AUTOGUIDE | FOXNEWS | AUTOBLOG] | HEMMINGS ]

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