Given that it was the first race-ready vehicle ever produced by an American automaker, the Shelby GT 350 was an immediate hit. Each 2+2 Mustang fastback delivered by Ford to Shelby’s Los Angeles-area factory was extensively modified. Every GT 350 featured a K-code 289 cubic inch V-8 pushed to 306 horsepower, side-exiting exhausts, fiberglass hood with air scoop, and the rear seat was eliminated. A Ford top-loader four-speed manual transmission and a stiffened suspension rounded out the essential changes. For 1965, all Shelby GT 350s were painted Wimbledon White. At $4,584, the initial list price was steep, but Shelby had no problem selling 516 street-legal racecars in 1965, the first year of production for a legend in the making. Each GT 350 was designed and assembled with the intention of heading off to race tracks – which were soon dominated by the high-performance coupes.

Rarely are automobiles as sought-after and seemingly immune to market fluctuations as those given Carroll Shelby’s performance touch. The Shelby American Automobile Club’s World Registry keeps detailed records of each Shelby-modified Mustang made. The Shelby GT 350 represented here is a solid, documented example that was subject to an older restoration of quality. It remains in excellent, well-preserved condition. The car, (SFM5S260) was originally shipped to Koons Ford in Falls Church, Virginia in June 1965. The car was initially purchased by Dr. John Clift of Vienna, Virginia and has a well-established ownership record. The late Carroll Shelby signed the glovebox; a very nice personal touch for one of his creations. The Shelby has blue LeMans stripes and correctly styled Shelby Cragar wheels, including the spare. The Shelby being offered is an easily appreciated example that will not look out of place in any collection of significant performance cars or on any show field.

Few high performance cars homologated for road use have enjoyed the devoted following of the Shelby GT 350. In order to qualify for 1965 SCCA/B production competition, Carroll Shelby was required to produce at least 100 cars by February of that year – a deadline he met and later exceeded thanks to heavy demand for his high-performance modified Ford Mustangs.