Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale January 19th - 22nd, 2017 at Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
Conceived and built for just one purpose - to homologate Ford's wildly successful Mustang for SCCA road-racing competition - Carroll Shelby's original GT350 of 1965-1966 exemplified Ford's "Total Performance" ethos and conferred an unbeatable high-performance image on the trendsetting ponycar. Downright wild and essentially a racecar barely capable of being driven on the street, the GT350 was a totally integrated package with virtually every part of the car modified or upgraded by Shelby American.
The GT350's 289 V-8 received a 35-horsepower boost courtesy of a 715-cfm Holley four-barrel carburetor, aluminum high-rise intake manifold, "Tri-Y" exhaust headers, a high-performance camshaft, and a low-restriction dual exhaust system. The front suspension was lowered, and the front structure was fully triangulated to eliminate front shock-tower flex with an "export brace" and "Monte Carlo" bar. A fatter front stabilizer bar, traction bars, Koni shocks, and a Detroit Locker rear-end, plus special front disc/rear drum brakes were major mechanical upgrades.
The GT350 was visually distinguished from its basic Mustang roots with twin Le Mans stripes from nose to tail, a special fiberglass hood with integral hood scoop and hold-down pins, and wailing exhaust outlets just ahead of the rear wheels. A number of wheel styles were available; all wrapped in Goodyear Blue Streak 130-mph rated tires. Interior appointments included a wood grain steering wheel, three-inch competition seat belts, a tachometer, and the replacement of the rear seat with a simple fiberglass shelf, converting the car into a two-seater. On the track, the GT350 immediately accomplished its mission and utterly dominated the opposition to secure three straight SCCA B-Production championships for Shelby and Ford from 1965 through 1967. Predictably, enduring demand for the GT350 has far outstripped the supply of available cars, spurring excellent recreations or tribute cars over the years.
This excellent, top-quality example is based on an original A-Code (289-4V) 1965 Mustang Fastback, with power delivered by a balanced and blueprinted 289 engine producing 350 horsepower with spent gases handled by a stainless-steel Flowmaster exhaust system. Supporting race-bred components include an aluminum radiator, overflow container, oil cooler, and vented front disc brakes. In addition to the period style Wimbledon White exterior finish with Guardsman Blue "Le Mans" stripes, the Mustang is further equipped with a GT350 R vented Plexiglas rear window, a purposeful black interior with lap harnesses, and Cragar wheels mounting Dunlop tires. Just 100 miles have been covered since completion of the highly detailed restoration and build and with all work performed to the highest-quality standards, this exceptional GT350 tribute proudly stands far above the rest.
