1966 Shelby GT350 Continuation Series

DescriptionThis is a one of one Shelby GT350. Very limited production numbers make this a very rare car. This Shelby was built by contract with the addition of the Paxton Supercharger. It was the only one with such designation, making it a one of one. Having won the 1965 SCCA B-Production championship and soon to repeat the feat for 1966 with its potent Mustang-based GT350, Shelby American was on a roll at the forefront of Ford's " Total Performance" campaign. Since the first-generation Mustang was slated for replacement in the mid-1966, Carroll Shelby decided to celebrate with four GT350 convertibles to end the 1966 production run. None were sold to the public: instead, they were given to friends and key Shelby American employees. Carroll Shelby was known to have particularly enjoyed this car. That is, until the Ford GT40 racing program took him to Europe and his car was sold off in keeping with the company policy after six months the in the Shelby American fleet. While Shelby eventually terminated his relationship with Ford in 1969 and he followed other pursuits through the 1970's, he never forgot his long-lost GT350 convertible. Since Shelby American Inc. still existed- at least on paper, and its California manufacturers license could be renewed easily, Carroll Shelby began considering the idea of building another GT350 convertible around 1979 as a continuation of the original four cars from 1966. Al Dowd organized the project for Shelby and selected J Brunk's Beverly Hiss Mustang to build the car. The project grew with Shelby's desire to give a car to each of his three children. Brunk sensed the demand for a few more cars and ultimately, Shelby capped the project at 12 cars in all. Sound, rust-free '66 Mustang convertibles were sourced, stripped to their bar unibodies, and assigned sequential Shelby American serial numbers ranging from SFM6S2381 TO SFM6S2392 that immediately followed the last of the four GT350 convertibles built in 1966. Mechanical specifications were the same as in 1966. To power the new cars, Shelby managed to locate a cache of 12 NOS 289 K-Code "Hi-Po" engines at Ford in Detroit and both four-speed and automatic transmissions were available. Exteriors were finished in blue with white Le Mans stripes or Wimbledon White with blue stripes; all cars included upscale "Pony" interiors and fitted with roll bars. Four of the cars (6S2382, 6S2386, 6S2387, and 6S2388) went to Shelby and his children. Eight were sold after they were completed at a basic price of $40,000. Numbered 6S2389, this Wimbledon White GT350 convertible is documented in the Shelby American World Registry as the only one of the 12 continuation cars built with a Paxton supercharger. Built to a contract dated October 28th 1980, 6S2389 was finished in white with blue striped and further equipped with an automatic transmission, floor console, blue top, white interior, and power steering. There have been a few updates since the build. A new top quality Haartz convertible top has been installed and the Paxton supercharger and engine was rebuilt. While kept in a private collection and very well preserved, this GT350 was driven by the current owner in the 2014 sun Valley Road Rally, at one point hitting 130 miles per hours. This Shelby is complete with dash plaque that was affixed when it was built, stating it was test driven and personally inspected by Carroll Shelby himself. This 1966 GT350 convertible is complete with the sales contract. Stored in our climate controlled showroom this, Shelby is road ready and ready for immediate enjoyment. Excellent condition throughout. Contact Shep with your interest at 208.721.1973 Photo credit to Riley Koidahl Read More