Rare 1987 Shelby‑Tuned Lancer Hits Bring a Trailer With Only 1,500 Miles
A 1987 Shelby Lancer, built in California and clocking just 1,500 miles, is now listed for sale on Bring a Trailer.
For sale on Bring a Trailer (a Hearst Autos platform) is a 1987 Shelby‑tuned Dodge Lancer that is not a Mustang but carries the famous Shelby signature.
The model comes from the brief era when Shelby was cranking boost on front‑wheel‑drive Mopars in California. Only the 1987 model year was built at Shelby’s California facility; later “Lancer Shelby” versions were assembled in Michigan.
Production was limited to 800 examples, split evenly between manual and automatic transmissions, making surviving examples rare.
This particular car stands out with an odometer reading of 1,500 miles. The seller notes the vehicle’s previous owner’s father traded in a 1960s Shelby Mustang for it and then drove it only sparingly.
From a feature standpoint the Lancer includes air conditioning, power windows and locks, leather upholstery, and a factory CD player—an uncommon amenity for 1987.
Under the hood sits a 2.2‑liter four‑cylinder engine equipped with turbocharging and intercooling, delivering 175 horsepower and 175 pound‑feet of torque. The car is fitted with a three‑speed automatic, which the seller says provides the same power output regardless of gear selection, unlike later automatic‑equipped models.
As expected for a Shelby vehicle, the Lancer is adorned with extensive badging and a plaque indicating it is number 590 of the 800 made. Its styling is boxy yet features a mild aero package and 15‑inch basket‑weave rims, giving it a small, punchy, and agile appearance.
The car was only offered in red, a color shared by the most celebrated sporting Lancers, adding to its collectible appeal.
