Story
The 1970 Shelby GT500 was not a clean-sheet 1970 Mustang program. Registry and reference sources describe the cars as remaining 1969 Shelby GT inventory that received 1970 VIN treatment and minor visual/emissions updates before sale. The safe public identity is therefore a 1970 Shelby GT500 built from the 1969-70 Shelby Mustang program, offered as SportsRoof/fastback and convertible body styles, with Shelby-specific appearance parts over Mustang structure.
For the GT500 drivetrain, the corroborated engine identity is Ford's R-code 428 Cobra Jet 4-barrel V-8. Ford's 1970 Mustang brochure lists the 428 Cobra Jet and 428 Cobra Jet Ram-Air at 335 hp, with Drag Pack hardware tied to steep axle choices; Hemmings adds the commonly cited 440 lb-ft torque figure and notes that Drag Pack brought Super Cobra Jet durability hardware rather than a different advertised power rating. Transmission coverage is limited to the C6 automatic and close-ratio Toploader four-speed as GT500 choices in the Shelby reference record.
Production should be handled conservatively. The Coral Snake page, citing Ford records and SAAC/registry revisions, separates 1970 GT500 production into 380 fastbacks and 90 convertibles. Because many sources still repeat older or aggregated numbers, this record keeps only those granular rows and flags totals as source-dependent. Authenticity review should rely on registry documentation, Shelby/Ford VIN and warranty-plate evidence, hidden apron stamps, and drivetrain date/VIN stamp checks rather than captions, badges, or visual resemblance.