1966 Shelby GT350

The success of the 1965 Shelby GT350 established Carroll Shelby’s reputation for transforming the Ford Mustang into a serious high-performance machine. While the early GT350s were celebrated for their race-bred character, some owners found their uncompromising nature, stiff ride, and excessive noise less suitable for everyday driving. In response, Shelby refined the formula for 1966, creating a more civilized yet equally capable performance car. Improvements included revised suspension tuning for enhanced ride quality, quieter exhaust systems, Plexiglas quarter windows, and functional rear brake cooling scoops. Power continued to come from Shelby’s legendary 289ci Hi-Po V8, producing 306 horsepower through a Holley four-barrel carburetor and backed by a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual transmission. The result was a more comfortable GT350 that retained the performance pedigree enthusiasts demanded. Production totaled 1,365 GT350s for 1966, along with 999 GT350H Hertz “Rent-A-Racers” and a small number of special-purpose prototypes.

Finished in its factory-delivered Candy Apple Red paint with the highly desirable Le Mans Stripe Delete option, this exceptional 1966 Shelby GT350 represents one of the finest examples available today. According to the Shelby American Automobile Club Registry, the car was shipped from Shelby American’s Los Angeles facility to Koons Ford in Falls Church, Virginia, in June 1966 and sold to its first owner on July 26, 1966. Like all 1966 GT350s, it began life as a K-Code Mustang Fastback before receiving Shelby’s comprehensive performance upgrades, including a Cobra aluminum intake manifold, Holley carburetor, Tri-Y headers, Koni shock absorbers, rear traction bars, side scoops, dash-mounted tachometer, competition seat belts, and wood-rim steering wheel.

This GT350 has benefited from a no-expense-spared, nut-and-bolt concours-quality restoration completed by a noted Shelby specialist and has accumulated only test miles since completion. Retaining its matching-numbers Hi-Po 289ci V8 engine, the car is reported by previous ownership to have traveled just 22,338 miles from new. During the restoration, the body was meticulously block-sanded and panel gaps were carefully fitted to achieve a laser-straight finish surpassing factory standards. The paint was then wet-sanded and polished to concours-level presentation. Equally impressive, the undercarriage was restored to factory-correct specifications, featuring red oxide primer floor pans, body-color overspray, proper inspection markings, and authentic paint daubs throughout.

Accompanying the vehicle are copies of the dealer shipping report, dealer invoice, order invoice, and Shelby American Automobile Club serial number verification documentation. Combining desirable factory specifications, documented history, matching-numbers driveline, and a concours-level restoration, this 1966 Shelby GT350 represents an outstanding opportunity to acquire one of the most iconic and collectible American performance cars of the era.