Vehicle Description
1965 Shelby Mustang GT350
VIN: SFM5S517
This blue striped beauty is number 517 of the 562 Shelby Mustang
GT350s built in 1965. The smallest and lightest of the GT 350
models, the 2-seater fastback came with the 'Cobra hi-riser' K-Code
289ci, 306 hp V8 attached to a 4-speed manual transmission. As with
all 1965 GT350s, 5S517 is painted Wimbledon White with Guardsman
Blue rocker stripes. It has the optional Le Mans top stripes, also
in Guardsman Blue.
Finished in July of 1965, 5S517 remained in Shelby American's
possession until January of 1966 when the car was finally sent out
into the world to find its first owner.
It found a home in the spring of 1966 with Fred H. Thompson of
Jackson, MS. After a couple years of use Fred fancied a 1962
Corvette belonging to Ronnie MacDowell, also of Jackson, MS and
traded the car straight across. MacDowell got the itch less than a
year later, and 5S517 was swapped again, this time to Mississippi
lawyer and racer Sam E. Scott for a 1967 Shelby GT350 #097.
Scott was a partner with Car and Driver editor William Jeanes in
the legendary Southern good times racing team, Bolus & Snopes.
Known for their lighthearted attitude towards professional racing,
they were reported to have had a blimp called the Graf Bolus II
that was always about to land at the local track; a steamboat
called the Robert E. Snopes that was laden with beer, car parts,
and a harpoon gun; and their team mascot, Dick Johnson, was a
sorrel mule that had either escaped captivity or been kidnapped.
Poster and stickers would be seen all around the tracks stating
that Bolus & Snopes had lost their ass.
One of their most famous moments was at the 12 Hours of Sebring in
1971 when they were running in the 9th hour and the car started to
fail. They put out the pit board that said, 'IN - WASH.' The car
came in and they proceeded to wash the car in the pits until the
end of the race, and then sent the sparkling car out for the final
lap and the checkered flag.
While they were campaigning their famous former Hertz rental car, a
1966 Shelby GT350H (#6S1828) the racing engine began to give up the
ghost. So it was decided in true Bolus and Snopes fashion to pull
their ailing racing engine at the track and put in the motor from
Scott's street GT350. You guessed it, that day 5S517 gave up its
motor in the name racing.
Scott eventually sold 5S517 to one of his crewmembers, Jamie Allen,
in 1974. Shortly after Allen's purchase the car was featured in the
9/74 issue of Car and Driver, written by Bolus and Snopes owner,
William Jeanes. Interestingly the photo of 5S517 on the road was
taken from the back seat, which had been put in by the original
owner.
Allen drove the car infrequently and eventually moved to France
leaving the car in storage with Scott. After watching the car
languish in storage for many years Scott repurchased the car in
November of 1998, and enjoyed it once again until 2005. In July of
2005 Scott once again sold the GT350, and the new owners set about
a complete restoration of 5S517 that was completed in 2006.
The result is immaculate. Immense attention was paid to the details
and execution of the work. Such care was taken in the restoration
that the car is presented with all the factory chalk marks, warning
tags, and paint inspection stamps. It is a perfect balance of show
winning execution, but not so overdone that it cannot be properly
enjoyed where it belongs - on the open road.
5S517 was driven in the New England 1000 and ran flawlessly. Since
restoration it has been serviced regularly and extremely well
looked after. It has a Shelby Serial Number Verification, and has
also been verified by Shelby expert Howard Pardee.
Since arriving at Canepa, 5S517 has received a thorough inspection
and has been found to be an excellent car. This exquisite Shelby
would be the centerpiece of any collection of significant cars.
The 1965 Mustang GT350 will always remain in the exclusive realm of
Shelby automobiles, and as it passes its 50th birthday will
undoubtedly prove to be an excellent investment.
"It was loud, rough, scary and as dependable as any car ever made.
Never again would anything like it be produced for public
consumption" Car and Driver, September 1974.
