What is it about the 66 GT350

[427hunter]

Hi all,  having been fortunate enough to have owed many muscle and pony cars over the years, I was asked recently which was my favorite,  I can't figure out why but the 66 GT350 is my favorite. Looking back in comparison to the others I have owned over the years, it would have been my favorite then as well. The 66 has something that captures my imagination every time I drive it.

So what is it about the gt350? 

[jk66gt350]

The iconic look, the sound, the performance, the fact that I was a Mustang nut from the day they were announced - and the fact that I always wanted a 66 GT 350 and was lucky enough to find 6S1575 34 years ago.  It still puts a smile on my face every time I take it out for a rip around the country side. 

[greekz]

I agree; the look, sound, and performance make it a fun car to drive.  I also like the manual steering and smaller size compared to my 1967 GT-350. 

[JD]

I agree; the look, sound, and performance make it a fun car to drive.  I also like the manual steering and smaller size compared to my 1967 GT-350. 

All very good reasons...

[Grumpy]

had a 65 convertible back then. I really liked the 66's when they came out. Had a new cluster. side vent windows, gas cap and a new grille. Plus different colors. To this day I think about getting one.

[68blk500c]

Actually was looking for one when I found our '68 instead.  Still think about it.

[TJinSA]

The 66 is NOT necessarily 65-light, and you don't have to have a over-priced left-over to have the same basic car most 65s were. There are all sorts of variations PLUS colors!... and scoops, and quarter windows, half a dozen wheel variations, automatic and top loader transmissions ... all that spells a car far more variable to tastes and more distinctive from the herd than the 65 brethren.  It's still an early car... nimble on its feet, with just enough dash to be a driver's car, just not a woo the crowd and girls with "luxuriousness". It is appreciated by automotive enthusiasts accross the board, not just by some cult movie crowd. They are special... season to taste!

[SFM6S087]

The 1965-66 GT350s were small and light (compared to the later versions) with relatively powerful engines. Great looking and competitive street/road racers. Not the best quarter mile dragsters, but nice balanced performance cars for their day. The 65's demand a higher price because they were the first year and a touch more raw. But the 66's are nearly identical in performance and have better looks thanks to the quarter windows and side scoops. Plus the variety of colors, transmissions and wheels, and the "optional" rear seat. All that combines to make the 66 the more desirable car in my opinion. With the carryovers slightly favored.

The 1967 and later cars are beautiful and desirable in their own way. But, in my opinion, they lost the crisp handling and clean look with their gain in size and weight.

Having said all that, there's not a 1965-70 Shelby Mustang made that I wouldn't love to own.

Steve

[6s2055]

I've had a few Shelby's over the years. My '66 was the most enjoyable. It become my track car. As the years went on and values started to climb above $100K came to the realization that it could be a financial loss that would be hard to absorb. Bought a new '08 GT500 for track use. Changed the suspension, added a roll bar and pumped the HP. Car was incredible on the track. After three events it just wasn't as much fun as the '66. Retired the '08 and went back to the '66. No regrets as life is too short not to enjoy!

[jamesfee]

I recently wrote about a trip I took in Blue down the Blue Ridge Parkway. My take on my 66 GT350 is:
It's not that the new cars can't replicate what he does. The newer powerhouses on the road offer more power than I can possibly wring out of him. They offer comfort and civility. And maybe that's why I'm happy with what I've got. Blue is noisy, smells and is obnoxiously twitchy. There's a primal force at work here and there are no intermediary systems managing it for you. You take control of it and direct it. Fail at it and bad things happen... very quickly. I find it challenging and enjoyable.

j

[Shelby_r_b]

The 66 is NOT necessarily 65-light, and you don't have to have a over-priced left-over to have the same basic car most 65s were. There are all sorts of variations PLUS colors!... and scoops, and quarter windows, half a dozen wheel variations, automatic and top loader transmissions ... all that spells a car far more variable to tastes and more distinctive from the herd than the 65 brethren.  It's still an early car... nimble on its feet, with just enough dash to be a driver's car, just not a woo the crowd and girls with "luxuriousness". It is appreciated by automotive enthusiasts accross the board, not just by some cult movie crowd. They are special... season to taste!

I would disagree with part of your statement. 66s without the 1" drop, over ride traction bars, Koni Shocks, etc. do feel different than a 65 or Carryover. And, price is all in the eye of the beholder, regarded "over-priced leftovers".

However, all Shelbys from 65-70 are special in their own way.

[gt350hr]

    For me it is all about the 1/4 window. From the moment I saw the window in '66 I knew I had to have one.

[Vernon Estes]

Quick note to all your 65 Shelby owners out there reading up about how much better 66 Shelbys are...

I'm offering a special promotional program currently where Ill trade you a 66 of equal quality and originality for your lesser, crude, plain-jane 65...and I don't even want any cash on the hood! Straight trade...my loss is your gain...hurry while supplies last!

[68gtcoupe]

For me, the '66 checks all the boxes.  Not as "rough and tumble" as the '65 but still enough to let you know it means business.  The additional colors, the quarter windows, rear seat option, C4 transmission for those so inclined, the Hertz models.  Just a cool car.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of anything Shelby from '65 to '70, but I do fancy the '66. 

[98SVT - was 06GT]

1966 below aprox 1,000 is the high watermark. The ones with over-ride traction bars and either factory or owner lowered A arms along with Konis gives you all the BP winning chassis advantages. The engine continues the performance upgrades of the 65. The rear 1/4 windows set it apart from pedestrian Mustang grocery getters. As soon as you get to 1967 the cars start to be heavier and more of a styling exercise than performance road racers. By the time Ford was building them in 1968 they were only heavy expensive restyled Mustangs with nothing different in the drivetrain that you couldn't order on any Mustang. Which explains the rapid demise of GT350 and GT500 once Ford took them over.