1965 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback WORLDWIDE SALES & DELIVERY

Description

One of the first “pony cars” – fast and sporty (and with lots of horsepower under the hood) – was of course the iconic Ford Mustang. Introduced in mid-1964, it quickly became a best-seller. Only problem, it was considered a bit small, and lacking the full-throated power that buyers wanted. Ford’s Lee Iacocca felt that he could increase sales with more powerful engines and better handling, and in searching for a solution, he approached Carroll Shelby. Iacocca wanted Shelby to prepare and campaign the Mustang as a B Production SCCA racer (Sports Car Club of America).

Repeating his proven Cobra approach, Shelby first built 100 examples of the GT350 street model to qualify it as B Production car, then built a smaller series of racers (two team cars plus 34 customer cars). Given the go-ahead by Ford in August 1964, the Shelby American staff had only until early 1965 to develop the two models, arrange for the necessary parts to be made, and get the race cars into competition. Chuck Cantwell was the project engineer, Ken Miles did the mechanical development, and Peter Brock designed the graphics.

During the last week of 1964, Ford’s San Jose plant shipped Shelby American 110 specially built Wimbledon White notchbacks in incomplete form; most of their distinctive GT350 modifications would be accomplished in the Venice shop. To qualify the GT350 for SCCA production racing, as Ford had requested, Shelby had to build at least 100 street-legal examples in time for the 1965 season. For him and his busy employees, many of whom were by then deeply involved with 427 Cobra and GT40 work, developing an entirely different car for the street was far more difficult than creating a car for the track. After all, they had to satisfy not only themselves but their client, Ford Motor Company. In the case of the GT350, Shelby American was working on a production model with myriad options, and no doubt Ford was eager that these cars—aimed at a range of influential high-performance customers—would meet its usual quality standards.

Priced at $4,547, the GT350 street version differed only slightly from “R” Model, mainly in that it had a normal steel front bumper and valance, but no roll bar. Normally supplied with 15 x 5.5-inch steel wheels, the 306-hp, 2,800-lb hatchback could also be ordered with 15 x 6-inch Cragar/Shelby alloy wheels. A total of 521production models were built before August 1965, when Shelby American switched over to building the somewhat softened 1966 model.

This particular 1965 Shelby Mustang GT 350 (SFM5S381) was ordered on June 21, 1965 & shipped to Bennett Motor Company in Salt Lake City, Utah and remained in Salt Lake City until purchased by its current owner several years ago. This car was ordered with LeMans stripes which ended up being put on the car at Shelby American Inc. at no additional cost.

This car was owned and restored by (Thomas) Kirkham who is well-know for their hand-formed and built aluminum-bodied CSX Shelby Cobra’s that are built in an old MIG plant in Poland & sent to the United States for final assembly. The restoration work on the car is simply beautiful. The level to detail is amazing and this fully documented, ALL MATCHING NUMBERS 1965 Shelby GT 350 is (now) for sale privately and ready to go!

Documentation includes:

1. Order form #651051 dated 6/21/65 from Bennett Motor Co. to Shelby American.

2. Customer file invoice #A 567 dated 6/20/65 (paid for 7/2/65) from Shelby American to Bennett Motor Co.

3. Delivery receipt #145 dated 6/30/65 listing (4) GT350s shipped via truck from Shelby American to Bennett Motor Co.

4. Warranty and policy form #2306 dated 7/27/66 for replacement of the coil, wire and carburetor jets.

5. Warranty and policy form #2304 dated 7/28/65 for replacement of a bearing and gasket.

6. Customer file credit memo #P 3037 undated for the work done in #5 above.

7. Warranty and policy form #2310 dated 8/16/65 for replacement of the tachometer.

8. Customer file credit memo #P 2276 dated 10/13/65 for the work done in #s 4 and 7 above.

9. Warranty and policy form #1033 dated 9/23/65 for installing spring spacers and a steering wheel lock nut.

10. Warranty and policy form #2524 dated 11/11/65 for, I believe, installing a rear exhaust system.

11. Customer file credit memo #P 3040 undated for the work done in #s 9 and 10 above.

for more details.

Stephen Becker Automotive Group realizes how difficult it is to purchase any automobile over the internet from a classic car dealer or private party.

Is the engine original? Are all the vehicle identification numbers where they should be? Has the car been tampered with? Is the car really worth the asking price? Stephen Becker has bought/sold/inspected/appraised/certified over a thousand GT 350's, GT 500's & GT 500KR’s to happy buyers all around the world. 35+ years in business with a sterling name and reputation in the hobby. We buy/sell/consign/inspect/appraise all makes and models of classic, antique & muscle cars. Stephen Becker is a long-time NADA advisory board member.

Stephen Becker was business partners with Carroll Shelby from 1977 until Carroll's death in 2012.

Stephen Becker offers an inspection service, an appraisal service and can be very helpful with transportation details. We can inspect the Shelby, handle all financial details and take physical possession of the vehicle for safe keeping. We've shipped numerous muscle cars, of all types, to Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland and all over Europe.

Contact us before you drive to the bank and send a stranger your life savings!

Stephen Becker personally works side by side with the Shelby American Automobile Club registrars and have supported their efforts to keep Carroll Shelby’s automobiles and contribution to the automotive industry alive.

Stephen Becker is one of the most renowned Shelby authorities in the world, announced the introduction of a new certified appraisal program for 1960s Shelby Cobras, GT350s and GT500s. Previously available only to a select group of companies and celebrities, SGB’s invaluable expertise is now available to individuals contemplating the sale or purchase of a vintage Shelby car.

“For years, MOPAR, Corvette and Ford collectors have had access to detailed appraisals from experts in those cars, but enthusiasts have not been able to tap a form program when considering the purchase or sale of a Shelby,” said Becker. “With the expertise, records and access to details of Cobras, GT500s and GT350s available through me, collectors can now have the knowledge they need when making a decision on a Shelby they want to purchase or sell.”

Becker personally has performed evaluations for years and attended key collector car auctions for a small group of corporate clients like insurance companies and manufacturers. In late 2009, Stephen Becker provided an appraisal of 75 cars in the corporate and museum collection of Shelby American. The appraisals were done for Shelby’s insurance company, which requested current values of the extensive collection of significant cars. Other high profile corporate and celebrity clients have included the famous Shelby Parts & Restorations company, as well as leaders in the music and entertainment industry.

“Shelby cars are usually considered blue chip collectibles, but each must be carefully inspected and appraised to understand the true value,” noted Becker. “Not only is it important to ensure a car is a genuine Shelby, it’s critical to understand its history. The value difference between a survivor car with great provenance and a Shelby ‘rebuilt’ from a few major components left over from a wreck can be hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Stephen’s knowledge and extensive library led to the creation of the Becker Certified Shelby Certification program. A proprietary 25 point inspection and exhaustive research provides the most thorough report on the market for genuine Shelby vehicles.

Over the past decade, Stephen Becker has been retained by key automotive groups, collectors and industry leaders to authenticate and value Shelby vehicles. This led to the creation of a program for individual collectors and enthusiasts. When completed, a client received a detailed report with a history of the vehicle, if available, and documentation to validate the value.

Since 1977, Stephen Becker has been regarded as a leading authority on 1960s era Shelby Cobras, GT350s and GT500s. The company’s expertise and in-depth knowledge have been tapped by clients to purchase, consign and restore original Shelby’s. SGB has represented clients around the world on stage when their Shelby’s crossed the block.

Founder Stephen Becker was one of the youngest people to ever be selected as a finalist for the Ernst & Young/Inc. Magazine “Entrepreneur of the Year” in the early 1990s.

Stephen Becker Automotive Group Inc. is a licensed and insured Georgia car dealer.

This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements