An experimental Ford Shelby GT500 Prototype nicknamed “Little Red” was discovered in a North Texas field this past spring after spending at least two decades outdoors.
The owner obviously didn’t know he had a 1967 Shelby GT500 Experimental Coupe rusting away next to a bunch of mesquite trees on his property. What’s left of the neglected prototype was located and verified on March 3, 2018, according to Craig Jackson, the chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson who announced the find at a private event tonight at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Aaron Shelby, grandson of Carroll Shelby and board member of Carroll Shelby International, and Henry Ford III were on hand to witness the historic reunion.
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“Finding Little Red is the discovery of a lifetime,” said Jackson in a release. “This Shelby prototype has been one of the most sought-after and elusive vehicles in postwar history. Countless enthusiasts and experts have searched for Little Red since it went missing in the 1960s. Many believed it was destroyed when the car was no longer needed. I’m excited to announce that was not the case. We’ve found Little Red and we intend to meticulously restore this legendary car back to its original glory.”
Jackson and classic car restoration specialist Jason Billups led the team who discovered Little Red. The quest began during the restoration of the other legendary Shelby prototype coupe, named the Green Hornet. The pair were the only notchback coupes to ever wear the Shelby badge.
The two cars were built by Ford and Shelby to test out a number of ideas for a special model. They featured a restyled body, including the iconic horizontal taillights sourced from a Mercury Cougar, and even a Paxton supercharger for the big-block engine. Little Red, which was built first, is most famous as the model for the 1968 Ford Mustang California Special. Despite that provenance, the car was put into storage and lost for decades.