Colourful history European '67 GT350

[2112]

Carroll Shelby's team had been campaigning Ford's Mustang 'pony car' with considerable success in US and capitalising on this, Shelby began manufacturing modified Mustangs. These cars were to be officially sanctioned and sold through selected Ford dealerships and the very first Shelby Mustang was the model we are offering onto the market, the 350GT. The model was launched in 1965 and powered by a modified version of Ford's 289ci 4.7 small-block V8 producing 306bhp, with options of a 340-360bhp unit in competition trim or 400bhp supercharged. Stock transmission was a four-speed Borg-Warner manual gearbox on the early Shelby Mustangs and a three-speed automatic was later available as an option. The running gear was up-rated to handle the GT350's increased performance, incorporating the optional Kelsey-Hayes front disc brakes, stronger Ford Galaxie rear axle, Koni adjustable shock absorbers and aluminium-alloy wheels.

WME 9G is an exceptionally well documented GT350 with a wonderful history covering virtually its entire life, including the all important Marti Report confirming its authenticity. This pristine example was manufactured at the San Jose, Calfornia factory and the build was completed 28 days behind schedule on the 22nd March 1967. This Shelby Mustang was then supplied new by Minar Ford Inc in Minneapolis and is one of 1,174 GT-350s manufactured in 1967, of which 821 had manual transmission like this example.

In 1968 the Shelby was exported to the UK where it was raced competitively in club events before being sold to Anthony Wolfe Motors of Middlesex in 1971. On 4th June 1971 Mr R G C Watling purchased the GT350, which came complete with a trailer and a set of slick-shod racing wheels and a bill of sale in the history file confirms this. In February 1978, the car was purchased by Simpson's of Wembley still wearing its white and blue racing livery and the American car specialists reinstated the original colour scheme. WME 9G was then used by Phil Simpson, a director of the company.

The car's next owner was Mr Robert William Mael in 1979 and during his ownership the car was famously photographed with Carroll Shelby himself at the inaugural Street Racing Promotion in Birmingham in 1984. In 1986 the Mustang was repatriated to US and two private owners in Florida enjoyed the car before passing via a dealer in Colorado to Robert Brooks, founder of Brooks Auctioneers.

WME 9G was then shipped back to the UK in December 1989. With impressive records of its racing career in the 1970s, '80s and '90s and FIA papers dated 1990, the 350 GT was then bought by the Marlboro Tobacco Company. The Shelby was then given as the star prize in its 'Coast to Coast' promotion in July 1991 and was won by Mr P Hanson of Bradford, West Yorkshire. In March 1992 the car was purchased from a Bradford motor dealer by D Dean Motors of Ruislip and the Mustang changed hands a couple of times in the South of England. In 2001 the Shelby was purchased by a long term owner, keeping the car for almost fourteen years and in 2008 treating the Ford to a six year full nut and bolt rebuild to the very highest of standards. The well documented restoration cost circa £100,000+VAT with invoices and records kept in the impressive history file. Less than 1000 miles have been covered since the rebuilds completion in January 2014 and the car is presented in effectively 'as new' condition and offers collectors and enthusiasts a wonderful rare opportunity to buy one of the best GT's available. WHE 9G has been in the hands of collectors since with little use on the road ensuring the car presents and performs perfectly as it did on completion of the six figure six year rebuild. This is a special car and importantly retains its original correct date code block, heads, transmission and original rear axle. The car is also seriously quick with exceptional power due to a serious race spec engine said to produce up to 400 bhp. The Shelby is fully prepared, ready to be delivered, and has covered just 50 miles on a brand new set of factory correct radial tyres.


Sorry, I can't save the pictures

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1220629?utm_source=car%20and%20classic%20newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly%20digest&utm_source=Car+%26+Classic+Users&utm_campaign=fe277ed19f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_04_23_08_28_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd04a64dff-fe277ed19f-120709039

[JD]

I think this is car #1598... will try and post a couple images.

[Shelby_r_b]

Interesting.  The Shelby Tag looks to be a repop, there doesn't appear to be a Shelby Stamping on the passenger side, and they went a bit sticker happy in then engine bay.

This looks to be car number 1588 or 1598...not sure from the pictures.

[Shelby_r_b]

Apologies, based not the 2011 Registry, this looks to be 1598 - you were right, JD!

[JD]

a couple more images...

[J_Speegle]

A picture of a VIN tag that carried the number 67200F5A01598. Not from the current ad or pictures connected with the ad.




As always with ANY car - get it fully checked out and be comfortable with your findings as well as conclusions when considering any purchase. Don't be "That Guy"

[Shelby_r_b]

A picture of a VIN tag that carried the number 67200F5A01598. Not from the current ad or pictures connected with the ad.




As always with ANY car - get it fully checked out and be comfortable with your findings as well as conclusions when considering any purchase. Don't be "That Guy"

Yikes!!

[557]

That's some "interesting" stamping on the vin plate..
..

[Bob Gaines]

That's some "interesting" stamping on the vin plate..
..

+1 .That is besides the different setup of the repro vin plate to begin with.

[acapulco350]

Maybe they should put "Z" at the front to make it more legit

[2112]

Since they mentioned it, I looked up the VAT rate in England. 20-25%.

The Value added Tax on the restoration alone starts at $24,750. 

I suppose that will get collected again when the car sells?

[tesgt350]

Is this the same Car being offered at Cape Cod?

[capecodmustang.com]

Is this the same Car being offered at Cape Cod?

Nope!

[Side-Oilers]

You could probably lift fingerprints off that mastik around the fender plate. ^^^^   

[BGlover67]

Thanks for posting Michael.  Love the radiator shroud sticker.  Pretty sure that's the European design.