1965 Shelby GT 350

Description 1965 Shelby GT350 Mustang s/n SFM5S077 Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue Le Mans Stripes More than fifty years ago Carroll Shelby put his name on the first 1965 Mustang fastback. Packing the potent 289/271 hp engine and a host of precise improvements, Shelby American transformed the Mustang into the now legendary Shelby GT 350. The already potent Hi-Po “K-Code” engine package was robust from a power perspective, but it needed just a bit of clever suspension engineering, fine tuning, and a dose of Shelby’s spicey marketing to drum up media interest. Bolstered by Ford racing dollars and track support, it didn’t take long to get the word out – if you wanted a capable American performance car that could compete against any of the high-priced European offerings, the GT350 was a great choice. Not only was the GT350 a superb performance car, utilizing the proven Mustang platform, enthusiasts could enjoy American reliability and sports car handling without worrying about costly maintenance or difficulty acquiring parts. The Shelby GT350 immediately distinguished itself on the racetrack, besting Jaguars, Tigers, and Corvettes through the corners or down the backstretch. As the inaugural offering, the 1965 model was built to meet the minimum homologation efforts for SCCA racing. Although eventually 521 1965 GT350s would be built that year, the San Jose Ford plant constructed and delivered the first shipment of 100 cars to the Shelby American Inc., Venice, CA assembly plant, all of which were painted Wimbledon White and trimmed with black interior. The first of these 100 cars, now referred to as “Double Digit” cars, are distinguished by their serial number signifying construction within that first production sequence. These double-digit cars featured details unique to early series production models developed specifically for the 1965 model year including a rear mounted battery, a weight distribution decision to improve cornering. Ultimately deemed too costly a modification, the later series cars retained their front-mounted batteries as delivered from the Ford factory. Other Shelby modifications included converting the rear seating area to a lighter weight storage platform, relocation of the spare tire atop the storage platform, a 16” Shelby Cobra steering wheel, Koni adjustable shock absorbers front and rear, anti-tramp bars fitted above the rear axle, cables to limit rear axle travel, a prop shaft safety loop, aircraft style 3” safety belts, Autolite battery (rear mounted in early versions) and a special dash binnacle mounted at the center of the dash including a tachometer and oil pressure gauge. Rare in number when produced, many were raced, damaged, or modified as the years progressed. Locating an original example with known history from new is both rare and remarkable. Authenticated March 17, 2021 by Howard Pardee/SAAC Registry (certificate on file with the car) and retaining its original matching numbers engine, this Shelby GT350, SFM5S077 is a documented double-digit example built within the first 100 cars. Constructed February 19, 1965 and completed March 31, 1965, the 289 Hi-Po engine, Borg Warner T-10 4-speed side loader transmission, 3.89:1 Detroit Locker rear end, and suspension modifications were prepared per build specifications and then tagged for the installation of special-order items per customer order. SFM5S077 was outfitted with R-Model magnesium racing wheels (American Racing Torque-Thrust). The original engine is reported to have been outfitted with three two-barrel Holley carburetors (Six-Pack) atop a specially built Shelby intake manifold. Though documentation for this being fitted from Shelby American is not on file with the car, the current set up is very original and properly prepared for the car. Upon completion, SFM5S077 was shipped to District Sales Office 9 (DSO number marked on the radiator support) Paradise Ford Sales Inc., Scottsdale, AZ along with two other Shelby cars, 068 and 075, all three of which were ordered and processed through Paradise Ford. Copies of documentation accompanying the car include the sales invoice dated March 31, 1965 for $3,646.00 plus $220.00 for “special alloy wheels” totaling $3,955.50 including freight. A $4.02 warranty service receipt is also documented on December 2, 1965 with service for a cracked air filter seal, processed through Paradise Ford. The first owner took possession of the car and immediately pulled the engine for blueprinting along with some conversions performed to bring the car to “R” model racing specifications. The fuel tank was replaced with an R model unit for quick fueling, the front apron was changed out with an open center front valence panel, and the six-pack carburetors were replaced with four twin downdraft Weber units. Though racing history is not known with certainty, according to documentation on file the car was never significantly damaged during the period it was raced. In 1976 the second owner returned the car to the original configuration utilizing a Mustang front valance (stamped steel date coded to 1970) and a standard Ford gas tank. Today, these items are regarded as the only non-original parts that make up the car in its current condition. Even the original order six-pack carburetors are mounted in place, as they were when ordered new and delivered by Shelby American. During the restoration process, every effort was made to retain all original parts, many of which had survived for so many years unmolested and retained with the car. Great care was given to preserve the original matching numbers engine and all body panels as originally delivered on the car with the exception of the front valance panel which had been replaced when new for racing use. Correct factory finishes and hardware were applied throughout the car with particular care given to the mechanical features, correct Shelby parts, and authentic finishes. In recent years SFM5S077 has been driven with regularity by the curre