A magazine ad for the 1966 Shelby 350 GT effusively stated “That farm boy outfit and big black hat cropped up everywhere from Le Mans to Riverside. On tortuous racing circuits around the world, Carroll Shelby learned what a car should be….power when you need it, handling when you need it. And he proceeded to build America’s first true sports car….the 289 Cobra.”

When you look at the long list of standards for this machine, you will quickly understand the excitement of such a car that could easily back up the praise. The two-place fastback coupe came with a Shelby American prepared 289-cid OHV Cobra V-8 engine (as in this car) equipped with a special high riser aluminum manifold, four-barrel carburetor, specially designed hand built tubular tuned exhaust, finned Cobra aluminum valve covers, extra capacity finned and baffled aluminum oil pan, fully synchronized Borg Warner special Sebring close ratio four-speed manual transmission with lightweight all alloy case, computer designed competition suspension geometry with special components, torque controlled rear axle equipped with “No-Spin” limited slip differential, Kelsey-Hayes front ventilated disc brakes, wide rear drums, special wheels, high-speed rated tires, Koni adjustable shock absorbers, trunk-mounted battery for weight distribution, lightweight fiberglass hood with functional air scoop, all black interior with bucket seats and Shelby approved competition seatbelts, special instrument cluster with tachometer and oil pressure gauge in addition to speedometer, fuel gauge and water temperature gauge, wood-rimmed steering wheel, heater and 350 competition (Le Mans) side stripes. This well laden performance platform was advertised at a list price of $4,547, and if you wanted the Shelby 10-spoke aluminum wheels like on this example, it would cost an additional $273. A competition prepared version was available at $5,950.

When 1966 Shelby GT 350 statistics are looked at you see 1,356 cars were built in addition to 999 GT 350H Hertz “Rent-A-Racers,” five prototypes, ten with Paxton superchargers, four drag cars and four Convertibles for a total of 2,378 Shelby cars during the course of the 1966 model year.

According to the 2011 Fourth Edition of the 1965-1966-1967 Shelby Registry this particular car (6S364) was finished in white and was ordered on December 16, 1965 and was shipped to Stepp’s Friendly Ford, Inc. in the far-off wilderness of Anchorage, Alaska on December 21 where they were invoiced $3,547 plus extras for Cragar wheels, Le Mans stripes, rear seats, a Detroit locker and freight for a total of $4,120.75; the car originally carried an automatic transmission.

The story continues in the late 1960s with a bit of a twist in that the Shelby was thought to have been “liberated” from its then-rightful owner while in California. It was next discovered at an unstated point in time in a Midwest body shop without the title or serial plate. Much like many of the generation that saved special and well recognized classics; this Shelby was recognized as being a great car deserving of proper attention and fell into the right hands to make it whole again. Thanks to retaining its confidential number throughout; a subsequent owner ran a 50-state stolen car check and title search; all results turned up negative and it ended up being restored in 1991 at which time it received the four-speed manual transmission. After stops at further owners the car was sold into an ownership that is close to ten years as part of a private collection that includes other prominent American performance cars of the period – all of which are impeccable in presentation. Displaying all of the traits which make the Shelby exceptional, you will find a GT 350 with persona and outstanding presentation.