This 65’ Shelby GT350 Was Ford’s First Racehorse
The 2016 Shelby Mustang is arguably the most formidable pony car ever unleashed by the boys from Dearborn, but it never would have happened had it not been for this car. Even without the ‘16s notorious flat-plane V8, all of the ingredients that make a roaring Shelby are here.
Row-your-own gearbox? Check. Sonorous small-block V8? Check. Ground-effects to separate this from other Mustang variants? Check.
And who could forget the essential twin racing stripes with contrasting trim? This is the original recipe Shelby dressed in Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue racing stripes — just as Carroll Shelby intended.
This particular example is number 517 of 562, part of the very first production run of Shelby Mustangs. These cars hold a special place in the hearts of motorsports aficionados as the thoroughbreds of the early Shelbys. Their smaller displacement engines made them lighter than later GT500 cars, which contributed to their nimble handling and success in Trans-Am racing.
The History of This Pony
Purchased in the spring of 1966, the car changed hands twice early in its life — even being traded straight across for a ’62 Corvette. As a member of the Blues & Snopes Race team, the original 289 was swapped out for a Boss 302 engine. Word has it the original 289 was destroyed racing. However, another period-correct 289 was installed in place of the 302 between 2005 and today.
In 1974, the car changed hands again and came into the possession of another Blues & Snopes team member, Jamie Allen. It must have been well cared for because Car & Driver saw fit to let it grace the pages of issue 9/74 of their magazine. Later, when Allen moved out of the states, the prior owner repurchased it from him and set about restoring the car.
Back and Better Than New
Along with the heart transplant, the car’s most recent owner performed a complete restoration, bringing the car back to better-than-new condition. But this is no trailer queen — owner Sam E. Scott drives the car (not daily, but he drives it) and reports that it runs flawlessly.
Equipped with a black vinyl interior, this Shelby is as classic as they come, and with only 61,000 miles, it’s got many years of performance left to give. As part of its commission through Canepa, the car received a thorough inspection and is reported to be “an excellent car.”
So go ahead and take a look at the ’16 car. It’s impressive, but it might not make you feel the way this classic does.
Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>
Via [Canepa]
