It is one of life’s harsh realities that a genuine 1966 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 has climbed beyond the reach of most mere mortals. That leaves many enthusiasts to accept that parking one in their garage will probably never happen. Alternatively, compromising by purchasing a well-executed tribute could provide the perfect answer. That is what is offered with this 1966 Mustang Fastback. It presents superbly, only emerging from its build completion last week. It needs nothing and would suit an enthusiast seeking a rock-solid classic capable of turning heads. The Fastback is listed here on eBay in Phenix City, Alabama. Bidding sits below the reserve at $25,100, although there is time for interested parties to stake their claim.

Knowing where to start with this Mustang is challenging because finding anything worth criticism is virtually impossible. The seller commenced their build by ensuring the vehicle was rock-solid, and the panels were laser-straight before applying the correct Wimbledon White paint and Guardsman Blue stripes. They buffed the car to a mirror shine, and the result of this labor and attention to detail is perfect presentation. There isn’t a flaw or mark anywhere, the panel gaps are tight, and the underside shots confirm this classic is rust-free. The paint and panels are probably better than buyers received on their new GT350 in 1966, and some purists may reject this car because a genuine tribute should recapture the essence and appearance of the original product. However, there is nothing wrong with aspiring to a vehicle that will turn heads and stand out from the crowd. Every piece of chrome and trim is new, and the only original glass is the quarter windows. The sparkling Torq Thrust wheels provide the ideal finishing touch.

The seller didn’t miss a beat with this Mustang’s interior because it presents as beautifully as the exterior. They refreshed every painted surface before completing a complete retrim in Black vinyl. The listing suggests that virtually everything is new, and with the car only turning twenty-eight miles since leaving the workshop, the presentation is perfect. They specified a Sport Deck rear seat, adding an aftermarket wheel, a retro-style stereo with speakers in the kick panels, and a Hurst shifter. Those items might compromise the car’s claim as a genuine tribute, but with the seller also using the term “restomod” in their description, they have covered their bases.

The VIN confirms this Mustang rolled off the line powered by the C-Code 289ci V8, producing 200hp and 282 ft/lbs of torque. That is well short of what buyers received in a genuine GT350 because the driver had 306hp and 329 ft/lbs at their disposal. They could expect to point the car at a ¼-mile and for the journey to become a memory in 13.9 seconds. The seller describes the powerplant occupying this car’s engine bay as a 5.0-liter. It is as freshly rebuilt as the rest of the Mustang, and the E-303 camshaft should improve low and mid-range power and torque delivery. It inhales through a Holley carburetor, an electronic ignition provides the spark, while headers and a dual exhaust funnel away the spent gases. The power feeds to the road via a five-speed Tremec T5 manual transmission, and an aluminum radiator keeps the V8 cool. Almost every mechanical component is new or freshly rebuilt, and this classic has only covered twenty-eight shakedown miles since emerging from the workshop last week. It runs and drives perfectly, and potential bidders should consider it a turnkey proposition.

Passionate enthusiasts could park a genuine 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 in their garage because they regularly appear on the market. However, doing so requires an extremely healthy six-figure budget, and many people can’t access those funds for a luxury purchase. The alternatives are letting go of the dream or compromising by spending significantly less on a well-executed tribute. This Mustang is beautifully built, but it isn’t a faithful replica. The mechanical upgrades would improve its practicality, which could be a significant consideration if someone is seeking a classic offering a more relaxed ownership experience. It hasn’t reached its reserve, although it has only received six bids. I will be fascinated to gauge what you think the reserve might be and whether the bidding will reach that figure before the hammer falls.