1965 Shelby Mustang GT 350 R Competition HardTop

This 1965 Shelby Mustang 350R Fastback with chassis number SFM5R102 was one of the first group of 15 R-models produced by Shelby. It was completed in May of 1965 and consigned to Bob Johnson of Columbus Ohio. It is important to note that this vehicle was not sold, but 'consigned' meaning 'to entrust' or 'to give over to the care of another'. Sponsorship was provided by Ricart Ford with backed with factory support from Shelby America. Johnson was chosen because of his reputation and his racing accomplishments. He had been racing Corvettes in the B/Production where he captured the championship in 1960. He acquired a 1963 Shelby Cobra and raced it in the SCCA A/Production, which he won the Championship two years in a row, beginning in 1963.

It is believed that the GR350R given to Johnson on May 11th, 1965, was one of only four factory team cars which joined the ranks of 001, 002, and 096. 001 and 002 were prototypes raced by Jerry Titus and Chuck Cantwell. Four days after received the car, Johnson entered into SCCA races at Cumberland, Maryland. He qualified fourth but his position was protested by Don Yenko who had entered a Corvette. As a result, Johnson found himself at the back of the pack. When the checkered flag fell, Johnson had maneuvered his machine to a second overall finish and first in B/Production.

The GT350R's were a special breed of racing cars. They were equipped with dual S-W electric fuel pumps, baffled steel high capacity oil pans built by Avaid, modified steel valve covers were breathers, and competition bucket seats.

At Meadowdale, Johnson finished first in class and second overall. At Mid-Ohio on June 13th, he finished first in class and overall, his best finish to that point in a GT350R. On July 5th, he finished first and class and fourth overall. Six days later he was back at Mid-Ohio where he scored a second in class. The following month he was at Lynndale Farms where he finished second overall and in class. He had accumulated a total of 51 point in the division which was enough to earn him an SCCA B/Production National Champion. This amazing accomplishment was achieved even with a late start to the season. To add to this, the GT350R's swept the SCCA B/Production Championship, taking five of the six divisions.

On November 28 at the American Road Race of Champions in Daytona, there were seven GT350R's all racing for top honors in the B/Production field. A heated and competitive battle, including the beefed up Shelby Mustangs, Cobras, and Jaguar XKE's had their drivers struggling for position. Johnson finished second in class behind Titus.

At the conclusion of the race, Johnson returned 5R102 to Shelby American where it was rebuilt and sold to Ron Dykes. Dykes raced it on November of 1966 at the second ARRC in Daytona but failed to finish. Barrey Robles, the next owner, was invited to the 1967 ARRC in Daytona race but he failed to find sponsorship. In 1969 it was raced to a Cal Club SCCA Regional Championship in B/Production. It was retired from active racing 1971.

It has undergone a restoration and is currently in its 1965 SCCA National Championship configuration, including Shelby team Wimbledon white with blue stripes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2011