5S482 Up for auction

[KR Convertible]

http://www.worldwide-auctioneers.com/auctions/details.cfm?vehicleID=25&id=62


1965 Shelby GT350

The Texas Classic Auction

CHASSIS NO: SFM5S482



• 1 of only 562 produced
• Correct, numbers-matching 'Hi-Po' engine
• Listed in the Shelby Registry


289 cid 'Hi-Po' solid-lifter V-8 engine, 306 HP, single Holley four-barrel carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with coil springs and anti-roll bar, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and traction bars, front disc and rear drum hydraulic brakes; wheelbase: 108"


In the early '60s, Carroll Shelby made a name for himself with the legendary Shelby Cobra but, in many ways, it was his collaboration with Ford Motor Company that really cemented his legacy. Shelby was already well-known as a formidable driver long before he began building cars, and he knew how to get the most performance out of a car. With the experience and expertise that he had acquired on the track, Shelby was the perfect candidate to help Ford with their "Total Performance" campaign.
Although originally conceived as a fun, sporty car for the masses when introduced midyear in 1964, the Mustang was lacking in performance and used the existing Falcon platform and borrowed common components already in production to keep the costs down. When the first of the muscle cars began arriving on the scene, Ford wanted to create a package that would transform the Mustang into a proper sports car capable of competing with the Chevrolet Corvette at the race track. To do so, Ford would first have to convince the Sports Car Club of America that the Mustang was not a 2+2 design and thus not a true sports car.
Initially, Ford was rebuffed by the Sports Car Club of America – the sanctioning body for amateur sports car racing – but Ford then turned to Carroll Shelby to rectify the situation. Using his famous Texan charm, Shelby had a meeting with the SCCA's Executive Director, John Bishop, and asked him what it would take to make the Mustang a production "sports car". The result was the 1965 Shelby GT350 - purpose-built to homologate the Ford Mustang for SCCA racing. Starting with a standard production Ford Mustang GT built at the San Jose plant, the Shelby was transformed into essentially a racecar for the street at the Shelby American facility in Venice, California. After numerous performance modifications and subtle styling changes to visually distinguish it from the base Mustang, the GT350 was ready for the competition. On the track, the GT350 immediately accomplished its mission and dominated the competition to secure three straight SCCA B-Production championships for Shelby and Ford from 1965 through 1967.
The GT350's 289 'Hi-Po' V-8 received a 35-horsepower boost with a Holley four-barrel carburetor, aluminum high-rise intake manifold, "Tri-Y" exhaust headers, a high-performance cam, and dual exhaust. The front suspension was lowered, and the front structure beefed up with an "export brace" and "Monte Carlo" bar. A fatter front stabilizer, rear traction bars, Koni shocks, and Detroit Locker rear-end, plus special front disc and rear drum brakes were major upgrades. The GT350 was visually distinguished from its basic Mustang roots with twin Le Mans stripes from nose to tail, a fiberglass hood with hood scoop and hold-down pins, and exhaust outlets just ahead of the rear wheels. Interior appointments included a woodgrain steering wheel, competition seat belts, a tachometer, and a simple fiberglass shelf in place of the rear seat.
In addition to 34 competition-only R-models, just 562 of these potent performers were built for the street in 1965 to homologate the Shelby GT350 for SCCA racing. This is SFM5S482, and it was received by Shelby American on June 13, 1965. About a week later, work commenced on transforming the Mustang into a Shelby GT350, and the car was completed about a week later on June 28, 1965. The finished Shelby was then shipped to Jack Loftus Ford, Inc. in Hinsdale, Illinois on July 30, 1965. According to the Shelby American World Registry, SFM5S482 was purchased by original owner L. Williams of Griffith, Indiana inexplicably over 15 months later, on December 27, 1966. Over the years, it was owned by several collectors before ending up in the collection of Ronald J. Kaminski in Wexford, Pennsylvania as documented in the Registry. Kelly Schultz of Follett, Texas purchased the car around 1998 and commenced to fully restore the Shelby.
The body of the car was found to be very solid with no evidence of prior damage, and the engine was determined to retain the correct, numbers-matching block. The hidden Ford VIN numbers have been verified with SAAC as corresponding to the Shelby number they have on file. Upon completion of the restoration, the car was sold to a private collector who stored the Shelby on blocks inside his building for the next 15 years. The next owner acquired the GT350 about two years ago and has driven it sparingly during his ownership. Although an older restoration, the car still presents very well today, no doubt due to its limited usage and careful storage. The interior is very clean and in good shape, and the competition style seat belts and correct gauge pod with tachometer on the dash are present in the car. It is fitted with the correct type Cragar wheels and Le Mans racing stripes. The consignor states that the Shelby runs and drives well with no issues at the time of cataloguing, and it is a car that can be driven, and enjoyed or shown.
Purpose-built to homologate Ford's wildly successful Mustang for SCCA racing, Carroll Shelby's original GT350 conferred an unbeatable high-performance image on the trendsetting "pony car" which it proved on the track. Built in very limited numbers and with an illustrious racing pedigree, the GT350 was the original "Shelby" and truly a race car for the street. Properly equipped, striking throughout, and most of all exhilarating to drive, this very correct 1965 Shelby GT350 is simply a must-have for any collection.

[Shelby_r_b]

Anyone have any additional history on this car beyond the registry and / or this listing?

[5s386]

Yes, Shelby_0022. I inspected it for a friend when it was at the WW Auction in Scottsdale 1-2018

I also know Kelly, who is a good guy. Interesting story told by the seller.

[2112]

Yes, Shelby_0022. I inspected it for a friend when it was at the WW Auction in Scottsdale 1-2018

I also know Kelly, who is a good guy. Interesting story told by the seller.

And.............?    🤔

[Shelby_r_b]

Yes, Shelby_0022. I inspected it for a friend when it was at the WW Auction in Scottsdale 1-2018

I also know Kelly, who is a good guy. Interesting story told by the seller.

PM sent. Thanks!

[sfm5]

"In addition to 34 competition-only R-models, just 562 of these potent performers were built for the street in 1965 to homologate the Shelby GT350 for SCCA racing."

I wish these auction houses would get their basic facts right in their descriptions.

Looks like a nice car.

[chris NOS]

was for sale here on forum in may 2015 , 295K .

[Bigfoot]

"In addition to 34 competition-only R-models, just 562 of these potent performers were built for the street in 1965 to homologate the Shelby GT350 for SCCA racing."

I wish these auction houses would get their basic facts right in their descriptions.

They never do....

[sfm5s081]

I saw it too. Thought it was a little nicer than the car that Barrett Jackson sold. Think they'll let it go right around $300

[5s386]

Is this a No Reserve Shelby? If so, I would predict $250K

[Rickmustang]

I'll bite. Not many '65s going for $250K these days. I say definitely north of $300K, even though has many issues with details. My guess is $325K with buyer's premium. Rick

[69mach351w]

"In addition to 34 competition-only R-models, just 562 of these potent performers were built for the street in 1965 to homologate the Shelby GT350 for SCCA racing."

I wish these auction houses would get their basic facts right in their descriptions.

Looks like a nice car.

I thought it was the owner(or given Shelby pro) who gives the auction houses the pertinent info?? Isn't the auction houses just reading off a card??

[Shelby_r_b]

"In addition to 34 competition-only R-models, just 562 of these potent performers were built for the street in 1965 to homologate the Shelby GT350 for SCCA racing."

I wish these auction houses would get their basic facts right in their descriptions.

Looks like a nice car.

I thought it was the owner(or given Shelby pro) who gives the auction houses the pertinent info?? Isn't the auction houses just reading off a card??

Typically, the auction house will allow the consignor to put together most, if not all, of the verbiage for the listing.  And, sometimes, the auction house will make an inadvertent change to the listing without consulting the consignor...that's always fun. 

[Grumpy]

I wish these auction houses would get their basic facts right in their descriptions.

Looks like a nice car.

I wonder if these pictures are of the car NOW ?

[gt350cs]

Nice looking car, even though Auction author is a little off in his knowledge of these cars.