Photo: Hyman Ltd
When the Ford Mustang debuted in 1964, it was quickly obvious that it would be a major hit among buyers.
A year later, the lightweight 1965 GT 350 models were rolled out. Often called "Cobras," Shelby American produced these Ford-powered two-seater sports cars during the same period. All 1965– 66 cars featured the Windsor 289 cu in (4.7 L) HiPo K-Code 271 hp (202 kW; 275 PS) V8 engine. In addition, Shelby modified them with a 4-barrel Holley carburetor to produce 306 bhp (310 PS; 228 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 329 lb-ft (446 N⋅m) of torque at 4,200 rpm.
Beginning as a stock Mustang with a 4-speed manual transmission and 9" live rear axle, units were shipped to Shelby American, upgraded with high-riser manifolds and Tri-Y headers.
By that time, Carroll Shelby was a fixture within the Ford Motor Company family, and Ford was actively involved in motorsport, and Shelby was their go-to resource. The Shelby American Racing Team had already met with success, and the Cobra would go on to take FIA GT World Championship in 1965 with their iconic Daytona Coupe.
So when the moment was hot, Carroll Shelby and his team at Shelby American, transformed the Mustang into the blazingly fast and nimble GT350 by undertaking major suspension upgrades, adding considerably more powerful brakes, boosting the Hi-Po V8 from 270 horsepower and dropping weight via a fiberglass hood. The GT350 was meant to take down classics like the Sunbeam Tiger, Jaguar E-Type, and the Chevrolet Corvette, and the cars went on to sweep the 1965 SCCA B/Production National Championship. That victory put an end to seven years of Chevrolet dominance in that class.
The example is one of just 562 1965 models built. Over the years, it was raced in SCCA Solo I and autocross events and run during events at Willow Springs, Riverside, Ontario, and Laguna Seca.
Early in 2016, the car was sent to Cobra Automotive of Wallingford, Connecticut, to perform a thoroughly detailed and Concours-quality restoration.
This Shelby is powered by the original, numbers-matching K-code 289 cu. in. V8 and includes a four-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip rear axle.
This is hardly a subtle machine, and it’s everything one would expect from a race-ready GT350.
And should you have the requisite $475,000 handy, you can take it out on the track yourself.
Beginning as a stock Mustang with a 4-speed manual transmission and 9" live rear axle, units were shipped to Shelby American, upgraded with high-riser manifolds and Tri-Y headers.
By that time, Carroll Shelby was a fixture within the Ford Motor Company family, and Ford was actively involved in motorsport, and Shelby was their go-to resource. The Shelby American Racing Team had already met with success, and the Cobra would go on to take FIA GT World Championship in 1965 with their iconic Daytona Coupe.
So when the moment was hot, Carroll Shelby and his team at Shelby American, transformed the Mustang into the blazingly fast and nimble GT350 by undertaking major suspension upgrades, adding considerably more powerful brakes, boosting the Hi-Po V8 from 270 horsepower and dropping weight via a fiberglass hood. The GT350 was meant to take down classics like the Sunbeam Tiger, Jaguar E-Type, and the Chevrolet Corvette, and the cars went on to sweep the 1965 SCCA B/Production National Championship. That victory put an end to seven years of Chevrolet dominance in that class.
The example is one of just 562 1965 models built. Over the years, it was raced in SCCA Solo I and autocross events and run during events at Willow Springs, Riverside, Ontario, and Laguna Seca.
Early in 2016, the car was sent to Cobra Automotive of Wallingford, Connecticut, to perform a thoroughly detailed and Concours-quality restoration.
This Shelby is powered by the original, numbers-matching K-code 289 cu. in. V8 and includes a four-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip rear axle.
This is hardly a subtle machine, and it’s everything one would expect from a race-ready GT350.
And should you have the requisite $475,000 handy, you can take it out on the track yourself.
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