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NOTE: When the photos were taken the decals were not in the engine or trunk areas. The spare tire and jack were not put in the car when the trunk photos were taken.
The 1965 Shelby GT 350
Some FACTS, and a little HISTORY of the Shelby GT 350
To understand how the 1966 Shelby GT 350 came about, a short story must be told about the marriage of Ford and Carroll Shelby that began in early 1965. Carol Shelby took the 1965 Mustang Fastback and made some mild exterior changes. The fiberglass hood with functional hood scoop and clean looking grill first caught the eye. He removed all the Mustang emblems. He put a tri-colored running horse was located on the driver's side of the grill. All 1965 Shelby GT 350's were Wimbledon White with a bold blue GT350 side stripe located below the door. The LeMans stripes running over the top and down the center of the body was optional. The interior was black. The roll bar was optional. It had a special flat wood-rimmed 3-spoke steering wheel and competition seat belts. A special instrument pad located in the center of the dash with a large oil pressure gauge and a tach. The rear seats were removed and replaced with a special fiberglass shelf
The 289 V/8 had solid lifters and a special aluminum intake with Tri-Y headers. It had a 4-speed and a 9" differentials. Shelby extensively modified the stock Mustang suspension.
Their were only 562 produced. Ford dealers contended that the company could sell more if the cars were more consumer-friendly and comfortable.
So the 1966 Shelby GT 350 offered basic Wimbledon White with the blue side stripes plus black, red, green and blue. The LeMans could added at the dealerships. The same 289 V/8 engine returned in 1966. A new dash mounted 9,000 RPM Tach was added.
But the BEST looking changes were the replacement plexiglass quarter windows and the side air scoops that cooled the brakes. This gave the 1966 GT 350 a racier look!!The spare tire was placed in the trunk and the rear seat added to be able to carry 4 people. Also the C4 automatic was offered.
A special deal between Ford and Hertz Rent-a brought about the GT 350H.There were a total of 1000 of these special weekend
"Rent-a-Racer" Shelby's. There were a total of 2,380 GT 350 produced in 1966. They are TRUELY one of the BEST LOOKING Shelby ever build!!
This GORGEOUS 1966 Shelby GT 350 Replica was a San Hose Ca. build Mustang Fastback like the original Mustang Fastbacks that were selected to be shipped over to Carol Shelby for the Shelby GT 350 transformation!! This car taken completely apart for the restoration and it's transformation into a 1966 Shelby GT 350 Replica. The basic body parts were painted separately with the beautiful single stage Wimbledon White. The car was assembled and strips were taped off the painting of the Blue LeMan stripes. Then the car was taken apart and the Blue Leman stripes were painted on each of the body parts.Then the body was assembled and watered sanded and buffed to a BEAUTIFUL FINISH!! This was a long drawn process but the END RESULT is a
NICE EXAMPLE !! More money ended up being spent on this car
this than it is being offered for. The original hood was replaced with a correct GT 350 hood. The 2 valances were replaced new ones, but the rest of the original body parts
including the fenders, doors quarters trunk lid were used The body underneath was stripped to the original metal. After it was stripped, it was primers and painted semi gloss black before all the complete new suspension front and rear was added. All new brakes including the front Disc Brakes and new brakes lines. New Tinted Glass including the large rear. New door latch assemblies. All new rubber. All new Chrome and Stainless trim including new grille and trim. New Shelby gas cap and GT 350 Emblem. New outside door handles and all new interior window and door handles. The instrument panel was taken apart redone (including needles repainted) and instrument panels bezels replaced with new ones. The side plexiglass quarter windows and the side air scoops that cooled the brakes look as nice as the ones Carol Shelby did in 1966. Everything up under the dash was taken apart and redone including the whole heater box assembly. New under the dash and under the hood to engine and to the headlights harnesses.
The engine was extensively rebuilt and bored 30 over. It has the solid lifters and cam to give the car the original sound that comes out the original ford type dual exhaust and mufflers. It sure sounds GREAT!! It doesn't have 10 miles on it yet! When you look under the hood you will see the original
type of Cobra aluminum intake, air breather, valve covers and Tri-Y headers that Carol used in 1966. New radiator and original 1966 Ford hose clamps. It is as nicely detailed under the hood and in the trunk as 1966! When you are in the driver seat you will see the complete new beautiful black interior including the 1966 Shelby Dash Mounted 9,000 RPM tachometer and you would think that you were in a showroom car
in 1966!! It has a 4 speed with a new Competition/Plus Shifter. It has a 9" rear end with a new rebuilt Posi-traction and 3.50 ratio gear that were optional in 1966. This ratio is a nice balance for a fast get away and for the highway.
It hits the road with new Torq-thrust D's and BF Goodrich TA Radials!! This car sets great and looks great from and angle!!
There is SO MUCH MORE that could be said about this VERY NICE
1966 Shelby GT 350 Replica!! Almost everything that could be bought for this car was!! If this car was a real Shelby GT 350 and this time and money had been spent on it, it probably be $80,000. and you won't be able to ENJOY like you can this car
for half the money!! It would probably be hard to find another one like this for this money. It is clean enough underneath to eat for of it, if you really wanted to!
SOLD
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