Vehicle Description
Craig Jackson's personal 1965 Shelby GT350. Finished in Wimbledon
White with blue LeMans stripes, it was restored to factory original
specifications by SAAC Head Judge John Brown of Thoroughbred
Restorations. It's powered by the original high-performance 289ci
V8 engine producing a Shelby-enhanced 306hp. Shifting duties are
handled by the original all-aluminum BorgWarner T10M 4-speed manual
transmission and power is planted by way of the original 9-inch
Ford rear end housing a Detroit Locker and 3.89 gears. A barn find
in 2016, Craig Jackson commenced a no-expense-spared restoration in
his quest to produce the finest 1965 GT350 example to exist. He
accomplished that goal as this car, 5S553, was the very first '65
GT350 to ever be awarded the "Triple Crown" - Gold in Division One
at the Mid-America Ford and Shelby Meet in 2017, the MCA Gold in
the Thoroughbred Class as well as the prestigious MCA (Mustang Club
of America) Authenticity Award in 2018, and SAAC's Premier Award at
SAAC-43, also in 2018 - the highest honors that can be achieved in
each of the highly respected clubs. 5S553 was factory-equipped with
LeMans stripes, Shelby/Cragar 15x6 alloy wheels, Goodyear Blue-Dot
tires, 15-inch wood steering wheel, Fiberglass hood with steel
frame and rear-exiting exhaust per California requirements.
SFM5S553 was owned by one family (two brothers) from new until the
summer of 2016. At that time, the owner of the car had recently
passed away and his son found it sitting in the barn, where it had
been moved from the garage some 15 years earlier. Craig Jackson was
in search of the best '65 GT350 at the time and received word of
this car's discovery. A deal was made and the Shelby was shipped to
John Brown of Thoroughbred Restorations in Oklahoma for
restoration. This Shelby would receive no ordinary restoration;
Brown was instructed to make this one-family-owned GT350 the best
Shelby on the planet. He did just that. The original drivetrain was
pulled from the car and completely gone through. All original
components were rebuilt or, if deemed subpar, replaced with
correctly date-coded superior original components. Having spent its
life in California before its move to South Texas, the Shelby was
in remarkable condition. One of 5S553's many unique points of
historical significance it that it is one of the last 10 1965
Shelby GT350s produced.