1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 Hardtop

This is the Advanced Prototype GT350. It was the 10th Shelby Mustang to be completed in January of 1965. The car was then sent to the engine department to be supercharged and was used as the prototype test bed for the Paxton/McCullogh supercharger which was offered as an option on later production cars. This unique GT350 was fitted with the 1965 Thunderbird taillights and 1966 side scoops and was also used to develop many of the modifications for the later GT350s, including the Shelby/Cragar wheels, folding rear seat and functional brake cooling ducts. It also had a Hollywood career in the Paramount movie driven by James Caan in the Stock Car racing film Red Line 7000 in 1965.

The Shelby Mustang was first shown on January 27th of 1965. The car was available only in Wimbledon White with a blue GT350 side stripe located below the door. The Shelby Mustang had a fiberglass hood with a functional hood scoop, and a tri-colored running horse located on the driver's side of the grille. LeMans stripes running down the center of the body were available as a dealer option. The interior featured competition seat belts, a wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel, a special instrument cluster, and black-only interior.

Under the fiberglass hood was a Hi-Po 289 engine that boosted horsepower from 271 to 306. There was only one gearbox offered, a Borg-Warner special aluminum T-10 four-speed manual, with a 9-inch Detroit differential. To provide better weight distribution, the battery was located in the trunk. The suspension was given considerable attention; there was a large front stabilizer bar, lowered upper 'A' frames, Koni shocks, and traction bars.

The Shelby Mustang GT350 carried a base price of $4,547.00. To back up this price tag, his team cars dominated the SCCA 'B' Production class with Jerry Titus leading the way and winning the National Championship.

This 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 'Supercharged' is a factory prototype that was delivered to Shelby America on December 18th of 1964. It is the only 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 prototype to be fitted with a Paxton/McCulloch supercharger. This was offered as an option in 1966. The car is equipped with Thunderbird tail lamps, which was done for show purposes. Other unique features include hand-painted side stripes and GT350 logos, a 16-inch Cobra-type steering wheel, white painted ram air plenum hood, and stainless-steel braided oil pressure lines.

Work was completed on this car in January 25th of 1965. Its first owner was J.B. Hunter of Costa Mesa, CA who purchased the car on October 26th of 1965. In 1974, the second owner took possession. The car was kept in the second owner's care until 1988 when it was sold to its third owner.

This car was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida where it was estimated to sell between $500,000 - $600,000. At auction, the car was sold for $528,000.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2007