The 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT-350 Is A Collector's Cobra

The Shelby Touch

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Ford's then-president Lee Iacocca felt Mustang could sell even better if it had a bit more grunt and liveliness and would benefit from more publicity in general. He hired Carroll Shelby and his team of crazy engineers to produce a car that could be marked as a production SCCA racer. Shelby, Ken Miles, and Chuck Cantwell started working on what would ultimately become one of the most desirable Mustangs of all time

The GT350's Rocky Start

The GT350 wasn't initially a commercial success. It was marketed as a street-legal race car, which meant it was expensive and not very practical for everyday use. Only 562 were built in 1965, and some even sat unsold for months.

The GT350 was too hardcore for most buyers, who preferred the more comfortable and refined versions of the Mustang. The GT350 also faced stiff competition from other muscle cars like the Chevrolet Corvette and the Pontiac GTO, which offered more power and style for less money.

The GT350 was a niche product that appealed only to hardcore enthusiasts and racers who appreciated its raw performance and handling.

Not so street-friendly

Source - Shelby Media

The GT350 was a pain to drive in traffic. The high-performance clutch and heavy steering made it a challenge to maneuver in tight spaces, and the lack of amenities like power steering and air conditioning made it uncomfortable in hot weather.

The GT350 was also very loud, thanks to its modified exhaust system that increased the airflow and horsepower. The GT350 was not a car for cruising or commuting; it was a car for racing and thrashing. The GT350 demanded skill and attention from its driver, who had to cope with its stiff ride, twitchy steering, and brutal acceleration.

White and Blue All Over

Source- Shelby Media

The GT350 was originally available only in Wimbledon white and Guardsman Blue. This color scheme was inspired by American racing colors, and it quickly became an iconic look associated with the Mustang Shelby. The white and blue contrasted sharply with the red and black of the rival Ferrari, and it gave the GT350 a distinctive and patriotic flair.

They were shipped to Shelby Venice where now iconic stuff like the "Cobra Hi-Riser" manifold, graphics Tri Y Headers, Good Year Blue Dot tires, and brakes were installed.

The Secret Weapon Behind the GT350's Success

The GT350 had a secret weapon: Ken Miles. Miles was a British racing driver and engineer who worked with Carroll Shelby to develop and test the GT350. He later became a racing legend in his own right, and his story was featured in the movie "Ford v Ferrari".

Miles was instrumental in fine-tuning the GT350’s performance and handling, and he also drove it to victory in several races, including the 1965 SCCA B-Production Championship.

Miles was known for his fearless and aggressive driving style, which matched the GT350’s character perfectly. He pushed the GT350 to its limits which held the #1 position in Class B SCAA for 3 years.

The GT350-R Was Unhinged...

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For those craving the ultimate Shelby had to offer a very exclusive GT350-R was available that made 360 horsepower and was the ultimate American apex hunter during its era. It came with a roll cage, Aluminum Case Borg Warner 4-Speed, weighed 2,750 LBS and had a top speed of 186 mph.

The Need for Speed

Source- Shelby Media

The GT350 wasn't the fastest Mustang of its time. Although it had a 306-horsepower V8 engine, it was outperformed in straight-line speed by some of its competitors, as pointed out by someone who has owned this Mustang since he was 18 years old.

However, it was more agile and better suited for winding roads and track driving. The GT350 had a lighter and stiffer chassis, a lower center of gravity, and a shorter rear axle ratio than the standard Mustang. It also had improved aerodynamics, steering, and braking. These features gave the GT350 an edge in cornering, handling, and responsiveness, which made it a formidable opponent on twisty courses and circuits.

The GT350 was used as a police car in some jurisdictions. While the GT350 was built for racing, it also had a reputation as a high-performance street car. Some police departments saw the potential of the GT350 as a pursuit vehicle and added them to their fleets. The cars were often modified with police radios, sirens, and emergency lights, but they were still fast enough to catch most criminals.

Unforgettable Exhaust System

The GT350 had a unique exhaust system, making it sound like no other car. Shelby and his team designed a side-exit exhaust system with a glass pack that looked cool and gave the car a distinctive sound. The system consisted of two pipes that exited just behind the doors, which created a loud, aggressive tone that became a signature of the GT350.

'65 GT-350 in Now Costs 100X its original MSRP

Originally sold for $4,547, the used 1965 Ford Mustang GT350 will now cost you between $100,000 to $450,000 as per listings on Hemmings.

This seems to be the bargain as the one owned by Ken Miles sold for $3.5 million. Those options with Le Mans stripes are even more expensive. If vintage is out of the question for you, Shelby American will sell you a perfect replica of the original 1965 GT-350 for about $200,000 before any additional upgrades and options.

1965 Ford Mustang GT-350 and GT350-R Specifications