Ford enlisted Carroll Shelby, famed American automotive designer, and race car driver, to help bolster the image of their new Mustang as a performance car. That work began with the 1965 Mustang fastback and continued through 1969. The first collaboration resulted in the GT-350, which produced 306 hp out of a 289 V8 once Shelby got done with it. This ’66 Mustang was targeted by the seller for a GT-350 tribute car restoration, but money and time have prevented that from happening. So, it’s available as a roller in Santa Paula, California, and here on eBay where the bidding has reached $7,600, but the reserve hasn’t yet kicked in.
After 562 Shelby Mustang GT-350s were built in 1965, the ante rose for the following year. Output increased to 1,373 copies (plus another 1,003 for Hertz to rent out), and the cars were available in something other the Wimbledon White, though today that’s the color best remembered with dark blue graphics. An automatic transmission was available in ‘66 whereas buyers could only get a 4-speed before. Most of the 1965-66 Shelby GT-350s were K-Code Mustangs before their transformation began (that 289 would produce 271 hp directly from Ford).
The seller’s Mustang was originally a C-code car meaning it had a 289 V8 with an automatic, but just a 2-barrel carburetor and an output rating of 200 hp. That engine and transmission are long gone, so the seller can build it his way, depending on how hard it is to locate the proper hardware. This is the second time this car was intended to be a GT-350 clone given the graphics still on the car, but we don’t know how far that owner got. It’s now a rolling chassis with a body and undercarriage that are virtually rust-free, according to the seller. We’re told all the bodywork has been done previously, but some minor rework here and there is going to be needed.
Accompanying the car is a nice fiberglass Shelby-style hood and side scoops. Inside the car, you’ll find a 4-point roll cage that has been tied into custom subframe connectors. Everything that’s there is either a replacement or original piece. The seller goes on to list many of these parts but doesn’t mention if anything is missing (beyond the drivetrain), so you’d have to conclude that everything is there somewhere. If you continue down the GT-350 clone path, you’d be replicating a car where the real deal can be worth six figures. But a clone like this is harder to put a price on.
Would this be a viable undertaking? I know most everything is available but still…..? I suppose this might be a good do it yourself project as these cars are pretty easy to work on but would it be more cost effective to buy a plain Mustang GT that has already been done ? I often think about this and just would like to hear how others more experienced than I feel. I’m referring to just 65-66 Mustangs.
It can get costly, but if a do-it-yourselfer were to work on it, it can be done reasonably….
Hi Russ – I am the owner of this car, thanks for the great write up! Yes, this is the second time around for this car trying to become a GT-350. Previous owner bought it painted like you see it and never built it. I started to have the exterior restoration done, but ran into financial difficulty myself. The car looks much uglier than when I bought it, but it’s much better now and is in the “nothing to hide” phase. There was some cracked paint that was ground all the way down to metal and redone, which are some the primer spots. The car is ready for a sand, prime, block and paint. No metal work is needed on the body. Happy to answer any questions. Thanks! Rob