Vehicle Description
By the time the Ford Mustang made its sensational debut in 1964,
Carroll Shelby was well-established within the Ford Motor Company
hierarchy. Ford actively pursued all forms of motorsport, from the
grassroots to the world stage, and Shelby was their man to get the
job done. The Shelby American Racing Team had success with the
Cobra and was poised to win the hotly contested FIA GT World
Championship in 1965 with their mighty Daytona Coupe.With the
popularity of production-class road racing spreading like wildfire
in America, Ford saw the Mustang as the ideal platform to
capitalize on their success. Starting with the already exceptional
K-Code fastback, Carroll Shelby and his team at Shelby American
transformed the Mustang into the white-hot GT350 by fitting
comprehensive suspension upgrades, more powerful brakes, boosting
the Hi-Po V8 from 270 to 306 horsepower, and adding race-ready
parts like snarling side-exit exhaust, a fiberglass hood, and much
more. With these carefully selected modifications, Shelby
transformed the style-conscious Mustang into a world-class sports
car capable of fending off the Sunbeam Tiger, Jaguar E-Type, and
Chevrolet Corvette. The 1965 GT350 was a pure homologation special
which serious racers could run virtually 'off the shelf.' Shelby's
efforts paid off immediately with a sweep of the 1965 SCCA
B/Production National Championship, ending Chevrolet's 7-year
dominance of the class. This highly desirable 1965 GT350, chassis
number SFM 5S205, is one of just 562 1965 models built. Shelby
American Auto Club records show it was received by Shelby American
on March 20, 1965, with work commencing on April 29, 1965, and a
completion date of May 7. Production notes show the driveshaft was
defective upon arrival at Shelby American, and about a month later,
Shelby American also determined that the transmission had a faulty
shift fork. Shelby proceeded to install a new gearbox and invoiced
Ford $146 for the warranty work. Upon completion, the GT350 was
retained by the factory for public relations purposes, including
demonstrations. Once promotional duties were done, Shelby shipped
the car to Hi-Performance Motors in Los Angeles, California, on
September 17, 1965. While the original owner's name is not known,
it is understood that this GT350 remained in California for much of
its life. In 1971 5S205 was in the hands of Don Burke of
Northridge, CA, who campaigned the car in SCCA Solo I and autocross
events. In 1980, Stephen Conner of Simi Valley, California acquired
it and used it as-intendedat track events at Willow Springs,
Riverside, Ontario, and Laguna Seca for the ensuing decade. In
1991, New Life Shelby & Mustang restored the GT350, and it went on
to win second place in the SAAC-17 concours in Portland in July
1992. It was offered for sale throughHemmings Motor Newsin October
2015 and purchased in early 2016. The owner entrusted the respected
marque experts at Cobra Automotive of Wallingford, Connecticut, to
perform the highly detailed, concours-quality restoration. As
offered here, this exquisite GT350 is beautifully presented in the
traditional Wimbledon White with Blue LeMans stripes. Fittings
include a driver's-side Talbot mirror, and it rolls on Shelby
Cragar wheels wrapped in period-correct Goodyear "blue dot" tires.
Paint quality and finish levels are superb, with particular
attention paid to replicating the factory imperfections like
overspray from the stripes and masking lines - details only a
highly experienced restorer knows to apply. Body fit is excellent,
with near-perfect alignment of the doors and crisply defined
feature lines. Climbing aboard, the cockpit is familiar to any
Mustang enthusiast, with a few notable exceptions. Shelby ditched
the rear seats in favor of a lightweight fiberglass panel to
qualify the car for B/Production racing. Shelby also relocated the
spare wheel to the cargo area and the battery to the trunk for
balanced weight distribution. This car features correct bucket
seats, 3-inch lap belts, the '65-only wood-rimmed steering wheel,
and has options including a pushbutton radio and Shelby gauge pod
with tachometer and oil pressure gauge. Like the body, the interior
is faithfully restored to original specs using correct materials
and techniques. This Shelby is powered by the original,
numbers-matching K-code 289 cu. in. V-8, as confirmed by marque
experts. The engine is backed by a four-speed manual transmission,
feeding a limited-slip rear axle. Concours quality detailing
continues under the fiberglass hood, with excellent paint finishes,
chrome, and faithfully reproduced labels, decals, and markings.
Likewise, the undercarriage is correctly finished in red oxide
primer and fully detailed. Included in the sale are receipts from
Cobra Automotive, previous ownership documents, photos from the
1990s restoration, and service/maintenance records dating back to
the 1980s. Since its debut more than 55 years ago, the GT350
remains a dramatic and visceral driving experience. There is
nothing subtle about the car; it is designed to go fast, make
noise, handle well, and turn heads. While chassis SFM 5S205 is
undoubtedly immaculate, it is certainly no exception to this
long-established rule, and it will make the ideal entrant into a
variety of vintage rallies, concours, and motoring events
worldwide. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7362-1965-shelby-gt350/
