Carroll Shelby, the creator of the 1965-1966 Shelby GT-350, was a Texas chicken farmer who had a notable stint as a driver for Enzo Ferrari in the 1950s. After retiring from racing in 1960 due to health issues, Shelby went on to become America’s most dynamic creator of high-performance specialty cars.
From 1962 to 1970, Shelby built or contributed to some of the most legendary and powerful vehicles, including the iconic Cobra 289 and 427, the Sunbeam Tiger, and Ford’s mid-engine GT40 and Mark IV competition cars.
The latter played a pivotal role in Ford’s dominance, securing outright victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1966 to 1969.
Among Shelby’s many projects, the GT-350 proved to be the most popular from a sales perspective. This high-performance version of the Ford Mustang was developed to give Ford’s new 1965 “pony car” a true performance image, a goal it achieved as the national Sports Car Club of America B-Production champion for three consecutive years (1965-67).
The GT-350 originated as a white Mustang 2+2 fastback, which was delivered to Shelby-American’s modest shop in Venice, California. It came equipped with Ford’s “Hi-Performance” 289 V-8 engine and a four-speed manual transmission.
Shelby then enhanced the car’s performance with a “High-Riser” manifold, a large four-barrel carburetor, a hot camshaft, free-flowing exhaust headers, and trailing arms that were used to install a rear axle borrowed from Ford’s larger Galaxie model, replacing the lighter-duty Falcon axle.
Shelby also upgraded the rear brakes with metallic linings, while Kelsey-Hayes disc brakes were installed in the front.
Additional modifications included Koni adjustable shock absorbers, a quick-ratio steering box, a front anti-sway bar, a reinforced steel-tube underhood brace, and 15-inch cast-aluminum wheels fitted with high-performance Goodyear tires. Furthermore, the front suspension’s forward mounts were relocated to optimize the car’s geometry.
These upgrades resulted in near-neutral handling, a notable improvement over the standard Mustang’s strong understeer, along with a significant performance boost, raising the car’s output to 306 horsepower, compared to the factory rating of 271.
Listing
Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback is on auction at classics with highest bid of $200,000 in Florida.
This 1966 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 is a remarkable example of automotive history from the first generation (’65-’66) of the Shelby Mustang line.
The car is powered by a 289ci HiPo V8 engine, also known as the K-Code, which is paired with a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, delivering an exhilarating driving experience.
The vehicle has been modified, adding unique enhancements while retaining its classic charm. With 46,839 miles on the odometer, the car’s mileage is listed as TMU (True Miles Unknown).
The Shelby Mustang GT350 features a striking red exterior, which is complemented by a sleek black interior. This two-door coupe offers a left-hand drive configuration, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts looking to own a piece of American automotive history. The VIN for this vehicle is SFM6S1720.