1967-68 GT500 Tribute: Shelby Style Reimagined for the Modern Road

Ever since its creation, the 1967-68 Shelby GT500 has always been more than just a classic muscle car. It is one of the main pillars of the 60’s car culture parthenon. From the classic front end and aggressive fastback roofline to its high-horsepower-infused racing heritage, the Mustang is one of the top classic cars to own.  

At Restomod Mustangs, we take that same legendary pedigree and infuse it into every bolt of our 1967-1968 GT 500 Tribute cars and crank it up to twelve.  Built from the ground up using an original 1967 or 1968 Mustang Fastback shell, this car is far more than a visual tribute. It is a complete reimagining of the classic GT500 shape with modern power, upgraded suspension, serious braking, widebody grip, and a fully bespoke interior.

Our goal is simple: to keep the presence and soul of the original Shelby while removing the limitations that came with a 1960s performance car and modernize it to exceed expectations for anyone who gets behind the wheel. 

An Iconic Shape With Modern Presence

The 1967-68 fastback body already carries a more muscular personality than the earlier Mustang models. Featuring the kind of silhouette that looks aggressive even before the engine starts. That makes it the perfect foundation for a GT500-inspired restomod.

Each GT500 Tribute starts with a laser-straight all-steel body before receiving the full Restomod Mustangs treatment. A full LED exterior lighting package and carefully refined bodywork help modernize the car without taking away its original identity.

The signature widebody fender flares add even more attitude, but they are not only for looks. They give the car room for up to a 315 tire at all four corners, creating the kind of mechanical grip a modern performance Mustang needs. The result is a car that looks sinister, sits with purpose, and backs up its styling with real-world capability.

Suspension That Finally Matches the Looks

Classic Mustangs have always had looks that kill, but the original suspension was never designed for the way modern performance cars are driven. That is where the GT500 Tribute changes everything.

Gone is the antiquated factory setup. In its place is a Mustang II-style front coilover suspension with tubular control arms, oversized sway bars, subframe connectors, and a full 4-link coilover rear suspension. This completely changes the way the car behaves on the road.

Instead of feeling vague or disconnected, the GT500 Tribute feels planted, composed, and far more predictable. The wider track, modern geometry, upgraded damping, and improved rear suspension allow the car to respond with confidence rather than fight the driver.

With 295 or 315 tires all the way around, the car has the grip to match its power. That combination makes it capable of spirited street driving, mountain roads, autocross events, and track days without losing the soul of a classic Mustang.

For owners who want even more performance, the Ultimate Pro-Touring Track Pack adds Detroit Speed coilover suspension front and rear. It also includes upgraded 6-piston electric power-assisted Wilwood disc brakes, giving the car sharper response and even more stopping confidence.

Modern Power for a Timeless Mustang

A car with this much presence needs the powertrain to match. Standard in the GT500 Tribute is a 550-horsepower 427 stroker small block Ford paired with a Tremec TKX 5-speed manual transmission. It delivers the old-school V8 sound and attitude people expect from a classic Mustang, but with the reliability and drivability of a modern engineered engine. 

For buyers who want a different personality, Restomod Mustangs offers several engine options. The 5.0L Gen 3 Coyote brings modern Ford performance and smooth fuel-injected drivability. The supercharged Gen 3 Coyote raises output to 770 horsepower for a more aggressive modern muscle feel. The 427 stroker twin-turbo option takes the platform even further with up to 950 horsepower.

This gives each owner the ability to shape the car around their own personal driving style. Some will want the raw character of the 427 stroker. Others will prefer the modern confidence of the Coyote platform. For those who want something truly wild, the boosted options push the GT500 Tribute into serious high-performance territory.

Transmission choices continue that same flexibility. The standard Tremec TKX 5-speed manual gives the car a mechanical, driver-focused feel. A Tremec 6-speed manual is available for those who want another level of control, while an automatic transmission offers a more relaxed but still capable driving experience.

Braking Confidence to Match the Power

A proper restomod cannot just accelerate harder than the original car. It also has to stop better, corner better, and inspire more confidence from behind the wheel. That is why every GT500 Tribute comes standard with Wilwood 4-piston brakes and drilled and slotted rotors front and rear.

This gives the car the braking performance needed to support the upgraded powertrain, modern suspension, and wide tire package. For more serious driving, Wilwood 6-piston brakes are available and included with the Ultimate Pro-Touring Track Pack.

The difference matters. A high-horsepower classic Mustang should not feel like a handful every time the road gets tight, or traffic slows down. The GT500 Tribute is built as a complete system, with power, suspension, brakes, and tires working together.

A Bespoke Interior Built Around the Owner

Inside, the GT500 Tribute continues the same philosophy as the rest of the build. The cabin is not simply restored. It is completely reimagined around the owner’s vision.

Every car can be customized with the buyer’s preferred seat style, interior color, gauge layout, materials, and overall feel. The dash can be shaved and smoothed, then finished with a custom French-stitched dash pad. Alcantara headliner and visors, billet steering wheel and shifter components, and premium parts from names like Ringbrothers and Billet Specialties help give the interior the same level of craftsmanship as the exterior and are all available to give it the perfect touch.

This creates a cockpit that can feel refined, aggressive, or road-trip friendly depending on the owner’s goals. It still feels like a classic Mustang, but every touchpoint has been elevated for a modern custom build.

Modern Technology Without Losing Character

A great restomod should make a classic car easier to enjoy without taking away what made it special. The GT500 Tribute does that through a complete electrical overhaul that includes an American Autowire wiring harness, MSD ignition, LED headlights, sequential LED taillights, and a modern sound system.

Inside, the JL Audio system and 8-inch touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto add the convenience buyers expect today. The car still feels raw, emotional, and mechanical, but it starts, charges, lights, and connects like a modern build should.

The V8 is still the main soundtrack, but when the owner wants music, navigation, or easier cruising, the technology is there.

Built to Fit the Owner’s Vision

No two owners imagine their perfect Mustang the same way. That is why the GT500 Tribute is built as a bespoke platform rather than a one-size-fits-all restoration.

From the brakes to the seat belt color, every piece of the car can be configured around the owner’s goals. One buyer may want a traditional silver-and-black GT500-style build, while another may want a bold color combination with a fully custom interior.

That flexibility is what separates this car from a simple tribute. It is not just being brought back to what it was. It is being built into what the owner wants it to become.

Shelby Style Without Shelby Limitations

The original GT500 earned its reputation for its raw power and racing presence. The Restomod Mustangs 1967-68 GT500 Tribute keeps that spirit alive while giving the car the performance foundation it always deserved. With modern options and components under the body,  it delivers the attitude of an icon with the confidence of a contemporary performance car the like Caroll Shelby could have only dreamt of.