1965 Shelby GT350

LMC is very proud to offer for sale this very special 1965 Shelby GT350

   The 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 was offered in a single exterior paint option - Wimbledon White with optional blue LeMans stripes in Guardsman Blue that ran down the center of the body and with a functional hood scoop, the fiberglass hood of the car made it something of an icon on the road. In 1965 Ford had been spurned by the SCCA, the sanctioning body for amateur sports car racing in this country. The severely independent SCCA seemingly did not appreciate being muscled by large corporations, so Ford turned to Carroll Shelby. As SCCA regulations state, in order for Carroll's cars to be sanctioned there needed to be 100 of them built.

   The brand new 1965 GT350 was powered by a Ford 289-cubic inch V-8, but with some Kobra Kustom accessories bolted on. Shelby starts with the 271-hp “High-Performance” version of the 289 V-8, and adds a high-riser intake manifold, welded-tube headers and cast-aluminum valve-rocker covers which raise peak power to 306hp. Also, the pressed-steel stock oil sump is replaced with a large cast-aluminum sump, complete with cooling fins. It also featured a four-speed manual transmission and side-exhaust pipes fitted with two-inch Glasspak mufflers. A 9-inch differential fitted with 3.89 rear gears transferred the grunt of the 289 to the pavement. Most notably, the 1965 GT350 had no rear seat because SCCA B Production requirements only permitted two-seater cars. In its place was a fiberglass floor, with a spare tire mounted beneath the rear glass.

   The car offered for sale here was originally delivered to Marv Tonkin Ford Sales in Portland, Oregon on April 29th, 1965. This beautiful GT350 has been treated to a complete nut and bolt rotisserie restoration to a concours level finish that has been well documented with photos throughout the process. It is powered by its matching numbers Hi-Po 289ci/306hp engine and aluminum case T-10 4 speed manual transmission. The overall look sound of the factory side exiting exhaust just in front of the correct Blue Dot tires mounted on the optional Cragar wheels is unmistakable. The interior is correct with dash mounted pod with 8,000 rpm tach and oil pressure, factory racing lap belts, 15" wood rimmed steering wheel and factory radio delete plate. It was also one of the few with the very rare and collectible trunk mounted battery. On a hoist and you will discover the undercarriage to be in wonderfully restored condition with floors finished in the correct factory style red oxide primer with body color overspray and blacked out pinch welds.  Also factory style paint dabs, chalk markings, stickers and tags are present to complete this beautiful restoration.

   This original Shelby GT350 is fully documented.  It comes complete with; Shelby factory pre order sheet, its Shelby American invoice to selling dealer Marv Tokin Ford along  with 2 other GT350s and one 289 Cobra, letter from Shelby sales manager suggesting to use one of their 3 newly delivered Shelby's as a dealer demonstrator, as it would give their dealership “a great deal of promotional visibility”, the individual Shelby American invoice for this specific car, credit memo from Shelby American to selling dealer, various Shelby warranty invoices, confirmation from SAAC on Ford Vin, as well registered and documented in the Shelby American Automobile Club Registry on pg. 98 and pg. 56.

   An example of true American muscle car history, the iconic 1965 Shelby GT350's were the first of their breed, purpose built, very rare, unique and highly sought after.  With these characteristics combined with a numbers matching engine, trunk mount battery, complete and full documentation, beautiful restoration, this GT350 is a truly remarkable find.