One to Buy: ex-Dennis Golembiewski 1966 Shelby GT350
Because Ford had commissioned Shelby to produce the GT350 as a hot Mustang to contest the SCCA B-Production championship, it was no surprise that a good number of privateer owners elected to go racing after their hot new Pony car was delivered.
The GT350 was of course perfectly suited to competition use. Even in bone stock trim it proved a formidable competitor thanks to the myriad modifications Shelby carried out compared to a standard Mustang of the era. This long list of enhancements included work on the engine, transmission, suspension, steering, cooling and wheels plus significantly reduced weight and carefully optimised weight distribution.
Production ran from the autumn of 1964 until the summer of 1966 by which time a little under 3000 GT350s had been completed for the 1965 and ‘66 model years.
Currently on offer at the Grand Prix Classics showroom in La Jolla, California, is one of those GT350s whose first owner pressed it into competitive service: chassis SFM6S413.
The car was ordered on February 28th 1966 and shipped to Gerber-Payne Ford in Fremont, Michigan, on March 8th. It was subsequently acquired by the first owner, Dennis Golembiewski of Lincoln Park, Michigan, who immediately went racing in local events. As SFM6S413 wasn’t registered for street use until August 1970 (just prior to sale), it seems likely the GT350 served as Mr Golembiewski’s dedicated race car.
The next two owners (Walter Hannig and Fred Retterer, both from Ohio) continued to compete with SFM6S413 until the mid 1970s. More recently, the car has been subject to a major restoration to GT350R trim and is today offered in excellent condition throughout complete with its original Shelby sales invoice and SCCA log book.
Reprinted below is Grand Prix Classics’ description:
Make: Shelby
Model: GT350
Type: Racecar
Year: 1966
Chassis #: SFM6S413
Color: White with Blue Le Mans Stripes
History: Shelby American records show 6S413 was ordered February 28, 1966 and shipped to Gerber-Payne Ford in Fremont, Michigan on March 8, 1966. The first owner, Dennis Golembiewski, of Lincoln Park, Mich. purchased the Shelby and started racing it immediately.
It was not registered for the street until August 10, 1970. Walter G. Hannig (Warrensville Heights, Ohio) purchased it on November 19, 1970 and was issued a Central Division SCCA log book #24-103. Hannig raced in 1970 at Nelson Ledges (nine times), Cumberland (once), Watkins Glen (twice) and Indianapolis Raceway Park (once).
Purchased by Fred L. Retterer (Warren, Ohio) in 1972, he went on to race Nelson Ledges eight times, Summit Point twice and Watkins Glen twice. Retterer raced the Shelby again in 1976, returning to Nelson Ledges five times. It was usually raced with number 33 and had a long, successful racing career. Retterer then stored the car for the next 23 years.
It was purchased by Ted Baird, of Canfield, Ohio, in November 2003. The Shelby then went to, Benny S. Sorbello, Sr. in 2004 who restored it to its 1970 racing days. The Shelby ran the SAAC-31 Virginia International Raceway, starting 30th and finishing 25th. It entered the SAAC-33 Thunderbolt Raceway event but did not start. David Martinez acquired the Shelby in 2011 and sent it to the experts at Cobra Automotive (Wallingford, Conn.).
Condition: A bare shell restoration to “R” type specs was done by GT350 expert Curt Vogt’s Cobra Automotive. There are photos and receipts chronicling the work. The final assembly and mechanical work was done by expert, former IndyCar mechanics hired by Martinez.
Then worked on by Shelby GT350 expert Craig Conley in 2018, which included a full engine rebuild and $40,000 in details and race prep. From 2018 to 2023, it was in the care of McGee Motorsports at Sonoma Raceway.
It still retains its original Ford VIN number stamping in the fenders and the original Shelby tag. Transmission is correct alloy Borg Warner T10 4 Speed, engine a period 289 V8. All suspension is correct GT350 components.
It is done as a very accurate “R” type look with front apron, rear plexiglass window, fiber glass front hood, “R” type seats, rear window pulls and roll bar. It is stunning in appearance. Ready to show at a SAAC event or can be race prepped to enter premiere historic races.
Of Note: Very few GT350s have a documented race history from the 1960’s and 1970’s. Documented seven owners from new. It has been restored by some of the best people in the business. Still retains the original Ford VIN stampings and an original Shelby ID tag.
Documents:
Comes with Original Shelby invoice
Period 1960’s and 1970’s Photos of Car Racing
Photos of Trophies
Old SCCA Racing Log Book
Engine Dyno Sheet
Documents Between Owners
Copy of the Original Title in the First Owner’s Name
SAAC Shelby Registry Report
Cobra Automotive Restoration Receipts, Photos
Craig Conley Engine Build and Race Prep Receipts
McGee Motorsports Race Prep Receipts
