One to Buy: Dealer Drag Unit 1965 Shelby GT350
In addition to the GT40 and Cobra programmes, Ford commissioned Shelby to create an uprated Mustang to compete in the SCCA B-Production Championship.
The resultant Shelby GT350 was an extensively modified iteration of the massively successful Mustang; every aspect of the base car came in for serious attention.
Thanks to various weight-saving measures, the GT350 tipped the scales at 102kg less than a regular V8-engined Mustang. Performance was further improved thanks to an array of chassis modifications and a tuned 306bhp motor.
Although only 100 examples of the GT350 had to be completed for homologation, demand proved sufficient that over 500 of these 1965 model year GT350s were completed.
33 were to GT350-R competition trim and another four were Drag Unit derivatives.
In addition to the four factory built Drag Unit cars, a further nine dealer delivered GT350s were prepared for drag use, one of which is currently on offer at the Classic Throttle Shop showroom in North Sydney.
Raced by Mike Gray between 1965 and ‘67, chassis 227 was crowned 1966 National Drag Champion of Canada, held records at six venues across North America and was featured in the December edition of that year’s Hot Rod magazine.
Presented in spectacular condition following a ground up restoration to its original specification by Cobra Automotive in 2012, chassis 227 would make a fantastic focal point to any collection of Fords or vintage muscle cars.
Reprinted below is Classic Throttle Shop’s description for this very rare iteration of the Shelby GT350:
Wimbledon White with Blue Stripes
40,469 miles
AU$695,995
A Texan, a racer and a sportscar builder, Carroll Shelby joined forces with the Ford Motor Company in 1965 to create the ‘’father of muscle phenomenon’’, a tremendous version of the Mustang that was made to tear up the race track but also cruise the streets.
The Hi-Po 289 cubic-inch block received a special high-rise intake manifold and Holley 715cfm carburettor, cast aluminium valve covers and oil sump, boosting horsepower to overly happy 306 ponies at 6000rpm. All 1965 Shelby Mustangs came with a Borg-Warner T10M four-speed transmission and a Detroit Locker rear diff, along with heavily reworked suspension consisting of Koni shock absorbers all round, a thicker front anti-roll bar and rear traction over-riders. Shelby also upgraded the Mustang’s brakes, adding Kelsey-Hayes front discs and metallic rear brake linings.
Finished exclusively in Wimbledon White (with optional Le Mans stripes), the GT350 intimidated any machine, with a fibreglass bonnet topped with a functional hood scoop, along with Kelsey-Hayes steel wheels.
The interior was dressed up with a special three-spoke Cobra steering wheel, dash-mounted tachometer and oil pressure gauges. Showing Shelby’s genius mindset, he moved the spare wheel into the cabin and ditching the rear seat, making the GT350 a two-seater allowing the car to compete in the sports car class at the time.
In 1965 Shelby built 526 cars, of these 33 were R-model race cars. Only 4 were factory drag cars and 9 were dealer delivered and prepared drag cars. #227 is one of these very rare dealer delivered drag cars and considered the purest, most desirable Shelby Mustangs of all.
The 1965s are the closest to Carroll Shelby’s original vision for creating a street racer and now commands a premium over other models.
Once owned by the guitarist of Van Morrison Charles Brown, this special machine has continued to enjoy its early life in drag racing and autocross events across the States by passionate enthusiasts.
Presented today is this special muscle car street racer in our unique showrooms at Classic Throttle Shop.
Many decades later, it was upgraded to GT350R specifications for vintage racing by a New Yorker. Later he had the car professionally restored to its original racing trim by the ultimate specialists ‘’Cobra Automotive’’ in 2012. This was also on behalf of a renowned Australian enthusiast.
The rear boot lid is signed by the record-holding Mike Gray who at the time held the lap records for drag strips around the American and Canadian land. After completion, the collectable was imported into Australia and joined one of the most famous Shelby collections, the Ian Cummin’ Collection.
Turning the ignition key to this monster is such an experience and even an achievement. The roar of the beautifully tuned push-rod V8 is unimaginable and when you squeeze the throttle pedal, it feels like the car twists and kicks up onto the two-back wheels. The side exit race exhausts make sure you are in constant conversation with the car, knowing its every thought and feeling. It presents as it did the day it left the restoration bay and it is the car for any true and serious collector.
All we can say is ‘what a machine’!
