5R213 - Bring A Trailer

[silverton_ford]

Link: - https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1965-shelby-mustang-gt350r/



Description:

This 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350R is one of approximately 36 examples of the special competition variant built by Shelby American in 1965 to bolster Ford's presence in SCCA Production racing. After its construction, chassis 5R213 was part of a multi-car roster showcased during a 12-city tour on the Shelby American Cobra Caravan to promote the manufacturer's racing achievements. In June 1966, the car joined a group of R-models imported to Peru by well-to-do sportsmen who wished to compete against each other in rallies and endurance races. It remained in Peru until 1984 when an Arkansas collector purchased it and returned it to the US along with two of the other Peruvian R-Models. Over the next 20 years the car spent time in Arkansas and Connecticut before an 11-year stint in California during which it underwent an additional refurbishment and subsequently achieved a Triple Crown on the Shelby show circuit in 2017. In 2018, the car was purchased by the seller, who installed a street-specification 289ci HiPo V8 equipped with a Holley four-barrel carburetor, a Cobra high-rise intake manifold, and tri-Y exhaust manifolds. Additional features include a close-ratio Borg Warner T10 four-speed manual transmission, a Detroit Locker 9" rear axle, an oil cooler, a high-capacity radiator, an electric fuel pump, a 34-gallon fuel tank, a fiberglass front apron with brake cooling ducts, traction bars, 15" aluminum wheels, plexiglass rear and side windows, a roll bar, and a bolstered driver's seat. The car is accompanied by an uninstalled 289ci V8 that was reportedly rebuilt to race specifications under previous ownership as well as by a set of removed magnesium wheels. This GT350R is now offered with copies of historical documents and photos and a clean Texas title in the seller's name.

In response to Ford's desire to bolster a performance-oriented image for the Mustang, Shelby began development of a turn-key racing variant of the GT350 to offer alongside the street models that were built to satisfy SCCA homologation requirements. The GT350 competition model – later referred to as the R-Model – accounted for three straight SCCA B Production national titles, the first of which was among the achievements celebrated in Shelby's 1965 Cobra Caravan promotional tour. Chassis 5R213 was decorated with blue fender script advertising the GT350's SCCA prowess as it joined a GT40, a Cobra Daytona coupe, and a Cobra roadster on the tour.

The car is said to have undergone a refurbishment by Thoroughbred Restorations in Oklahoma in the 2010s and is finished in the original color scheme of Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue Le Mans stripes and side accents. Features distinct to competition models include a fiberglass front apron with integrated brake-cooling intakes, flared fenders, a top-vented plexiglass rear window, pull-up plexiglass side windows, and riveted aluminum sail panel block-off plates.

Aluminum wheels were installed following the seller's acquisition and are mounted with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. The four removed magnesium wheels are included in the sale and are wrapped in 9.50-15 racing tires, as is a fifth magnesium wheel that serves as a spare. Braking is handled without assistance by ventilated front discs and 10"-diameter rear drums, and cooling ducts are in place at all four corners.

The cockpit is devoid of carpeting and houses a bolstered driver's seat and a standard passenger seat, both upholstered in black. Safety equipment includes a roll bar, a driver's shoulder harness, a latch-and-link lap belt for the passenger, and a console-mounted fire extinguisher.

The wood-rimmed steering wheel frames a 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline, and gauges monitoring fuel pressure, oil temperature, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The speedometer is inoperative. The five-digit odometer shows 9k miles, approximately 500 of which have been added by the seller.

The replacement 289ci V8 is stamped with VIN 5F09K725851 and was installed by the seller following a refresh that is said to have included the installation of a flat-tappet camshaft and rebuilds of the cylinder heads with replacement valve springs, keepers, retainers, and guides. The water pump, lifters, and timing assembly were also reportedly replaced. The Holley four-barrel carburetor, Cobra high-rise intake manifold, air cleaner, and valve covers were carried over from the previously installed engine, and additional competition components include an oil cooler, high-capacity radiator, electric fuel pump, tri-Y exhaust headers, and a 34-gallon fuel tank with a 3.5" filler. According to the seller, the block shows evidence of previously repaired damage from a clutch failure.

The close-ratio Borg-Warner T10 four-speed manual transmission features an aluminum case and tail housing and transfers power to the rear wheels through a 9" rear end with a Detroit Locker differential. Suspension incorporates adjustable Koni shock absorbers all around along with a 1" front sway bar and overrider rear traction bars.

Included in the sale is a removed replacement 289ci HiPo V8 that was reportedly rebuilt to race specifications during the 2010s. VIN stamping 5R09K211738 is pictured on the block in the gallery below along with other images of the spare engine. A February 2021 dynamometer sheet for the spare engine from Brand Racing Engines is also pictured in the gallery and shows a peak horsepower of 374.9 with torque topping out at 351.9 lb-ft.

A December 1965 letter addressed to Porter-Hooper & Company lists 5R213 among the vehicles included on the Cobra Caravan, and an image of the car during the tour is shown in the gallery below. Also shown in the gallery are 1966 invoices for the sale of the car to Larsen Ford in White Plains, New York, and then to F. Marti & Co. in New York, New York, the latter of which lists the car as a 1966 model. An air waybill for the shipping of the car from Peru to the US is among documents from the car's 1984 return to the US, and photos of the car from around that time are also included in the sale.

Letters from the SAAC's Rick Kopec and Howard Pardee in 1988 and 1998, respectively, confirm that the car's Shelby and Ford serial numbers correspond with Shelby factory records, and the car's SAAC Registry entry is pictured in the gallery below. The car's Shelby identification tag is reportedly a reproduction added under previous ownership. Also shown in the gallery are trophies from 2017 gold awards in the Concours Class at SAAC 42 in Indianapolis and the MCA Grand Nationals in Kansas City, which combined with a gold award in the 2017 Concours Class at the Mid-America Shelby Nationals in Tulsa to give the car a Triple Crown.

[FL SAAC]

The Holy Grail

[shelbymann1970]

The Holy Grail

There are 6 Shelby Mustangs on baT right now. All factory white with blue stripe cars. I feel sorry for the others as this will garner the attention. Will be a fun auction to watch.

[Richstang]

It is fantastic that that ad show photos for the 3 Peruvian 'R' models getting air lifter back to the states in 1984.
5r213 is only shown in a few of those '84 photos so they are a bonus for us.

[FL SAAC]

Found a 5 minute read on these vehicles

Cobra Caravan Survivor: 1965 Shelby GT350 R
https://silodrome.com/cobra-caravan-shelby-gt350-r/

[silverton_ford]

https://www.hagerty.com/media/auctions/shelby-americans-one-time-promotional-gt350r-is-looking-for-a-home/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MED_UN_NA_EML_UN_DailyDriver_Monday&hashed_email=07757dceca31391000a593964ecc27e5b8ea0d78aee36e4668b3de9eb5c110e5

[QuickSilverShelby]

To all the experts out there...... seriously.... what's this car worth?  PM me please, I'd like your honest opinions.

QSS

[OldFordGuy]

To all the experts out there...... seriously.... what's this car worth?  PM me please, I'd like your honest opinions.

QSS

I was wondering the same thing. I'm no expert but if it has to be a 500K plus car, right?

ETA: NM, just saw the bid at 775K. Wow!

[silverton_ford]

Sold - $875,000

[FL SAAC]

To all the experts out there...... seriously.... what's this car worth?  PM me please, I'd like your honest opinions.

QSS

I would guess not a penny under $875,000

[Rukiddin]

Possible that the seller ended up with more than through Mecum or BJ ? After all the "extra fees" you pay at the bigger TV type auctions you might have to break the million dollar bracket to get $875K check. Any experienced sellers willing to offer insight?

[kranky]

Fees...well let's see, there's is usually a sellers fee of around 10% "+ or -" per auction house (depends if you are an active seller/buyer with that specific auction company), extra fees sometimes charged for a "prime time" TV spot or selling date (Friday or Saturday is preferable, but hopefully not next to another car that is similar), hotel and lodging fees, shipping or transport fees, etc. etc.  Just think of fees, fees and more fees.

[terlingua11]

Who's the lucky buyer? Anyone from on here?

[Rickmustang]

Looks like going to MA.

[shelbymann1970]

Who's the lucky buyer? Anyone from on here?

Sounds like the winning bidder owns a 65 already and it might very well be on BaT soon according to his comment after winning.