Can a car that has not been on the road in more than 37 years really be worth $135,000? At a recent auction in South Dakota, the answer was yes. A 1967 Shelby GT350 that sat parked for over three decades just sold for that price, and the story behind it is the kind that makes every car lover look twice at the back corner of the garage.

The car sold at the McPherson Auto Auction in Deadwood, South Dakota. Under the hood is the K-code 289 Hi-Po V8, paired with a Top Loader four-speed manual. For anyone who loves classic Fords, that is about as desirable as a combination gets: the high-performance small-block, the four-speed, and the Shelby name.

The details of its life are what make it special. The same owner had the car since 1979, and by then it already had more than 90,000 miles on it. In 1989, that owner parked it. And there it stayed, for over 37 years.

Instagram creator @mcmillanbuildz shared the auction result, and you can see it below.

View this post on Instagram

A Long Nap And A Big Price

Here is the part that gets people talking. Today the odometer shows just over 100,000 miles, and the car remains largely untouched. Think about that for a second. More than 90,000 of those miles were already on the clock when the current chapter of its story began in 1979, and then it went quiet from 1989 on.

That kind of history matters to buyers. A car that has been left alone has not been reworked by a series of restorers, so what you see is much closer to what left the factory. Collectors have long paid extra for that kind of honesty, and for a Shelby, the interest only grows.

The GT350 itself needs little introduction. It was the high-performance Mustang built by Carroll Shelby, and the 289 Hi-Po engine was a big part of its appeal. In the 1967 model year the GT350 was rated at 306 horsepower from its 289 cubic inch V8, which was serious muscle for the era. Pair that with a four-speed manual and you have a car built to be driven, not just admired.

What This Means For The Rest Of Us

Most of us are not going to stumble onto a Shelby in a barn. But plenty of us have a car, a motorcycle, a tool collection or a pile of old gear sitting out back, and this story offers a few lessons worth keeping.

• Originality can be worth money. A vehicle that has not been heavily modified or redone is often worth more to serious collectors. Before you fix up anything old, ask whether you are about to erase some of its value.
• Keep the paperwork. Titles, service receipts, old photos and sale records help a buyer trust a car’s story. A clear history, like one owner for many years, makes that story easier to believe.
• Know what you have. Engine, transmission and options can make a huge difference in price on the same model. The K-code engine in this car is a perfect example of a detail that collectors care about.
• Get an opinion before you sell. A specialist auction house or an owners club for that make can help you work out whether you have something special or something ordinary.

If You Ever Find A Sleeper

Say you open a garage door and find something that has been sitting for years. Resist the urge to turn the key. Old fuel can turn to varnish, rubber can harden and crack, and oil drains away from the parts that need it. Cranking an engine that has slept for decades can cause real damage in seconds.

A smarter plan is to photograph everything first, exactly as you found it. Then check the fluids, look for moisture and pests, and have the brakes, tires and fuel system inspected by someone who knows older vehicles before it moves under its own power. If it could be valuable, talk to an appraiser before you spend money on it. A fresh coat of paint and a new interior can cost you more in lost value than they ever add.

It also pays to stay realistic. Not every dusty car in a shed is a gold mine. Value comes from the make, the model, the engine, the condition and the story. A rare, desirable car with an honest past can bring serious money, while a common one with the same dust on it may simply make a nice weekend project.

Not Bad For A Parked Car

Still, the numbers here are hard to ignore. A Shelby that sat for more than 37 years, with just over 100,000 miles on the odometer and a largely untouched condition, sold for $135,000 in Deadwood. The same owner parked it in 1989, and decades later it is still making news.

So the next time you walk past that old car under the tarp, give it a second look. You never know what a little patience, and a lot of honest history, might be worth.

More Stories You May Like

• Barn Find 1967 Shelby GT350 That Sat For More Than 37 Years Sells For $135,000 At A South Dakota Auction, And The Story Behind The Car Is Even Better Than The Price
• Five Things Your Car Salesman Should Never Know About You Before the Negotiation Even Starts
• Five Car Parts Every Driver Should Check At 25,000 Miles Before Small Sensor Problems Turn Into Hard Starts, Rough Idling And Stalling