1965 Shelby GT350R
Wimbledon White with blue stripes, the Shelby GT350 R was a purpose built racecar that became the template for GT350 road cars to follow. Racing in the SCCA’s B/Production class, Shelby was Ford’s answer to winning the Road Racing Championship for several years. The cars were built in series as a turnkey racecar.
Prepared in conjunction with Ford, stripped out 271 hp Mustangs left the factory for conversion in Shelby’s facility. The first arrived without side or rear windows, heaters, defrosters, upholstery, headliners, insulation or sound deadening.
Many changes were done to the body, including the fittament of a distinctive front apron in fiberglass. Flares were added to the fenders to accommodate 15×7 inch wheels. Furthermore the side and rear windows were were replaced by Plexiglas with aluminum frames.
Underneath, Shelby changed the pickup points on the suspension, added traction bars for the rear suspension and installed a new differential.
Inside, a new instrument cluster was added with a tachometer and oil pressure gauge. A large 4-point roll cage was installed with a 34 gallon fuel tank.
The engine was thoroughly reworked to include Cylone Tri-Y headers, A Holley four-barrel carburetor, Cobra high rise aluminum intake manifold which produced around 325 to 360 horsepower. An oil cooler was also fitted.
In Detail
| type | Racing Car |
| built at | USA |
| production | 36 |
| engine | V8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| block material | Cast Iron |
| valvetrain | Pushrod OHV, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Holley 4-Barrel Carburetor |
| displacement | 4736 cc / 289 in³ |
| power | 261.0 kw / 350 bhp |
| specific output | 73.9 bhp per litre |
| body / frame | Unitary Steel Monocoque w/Fiberglass Hood |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | American Racing |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 17.8 cm / 15 x 7 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 17.8 cm / 15 x 7 in |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Leaf Springs |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
Auction Sales History
1965 Shelby GT350 R SFM 5R108 – sold for $770,000 The 1966 SCCA Southwest Division and 1967 B-Production class champion. First in Class at the 1967 12 Hours of Sebring. An early production example; one of only 36 examples built. Retuned to its 1967 AARC racing livery; eligible for historic racing events.
Auction Source: Paul & Chris Andrews Collection by RM Sotheby’s
1965 Shelby Mustang GT350R SFM-5R538 – sold for $984,500
Auction Source: Amelia Island 2014 by RM Auctions
Auction Source: Monterey 2012 by RM Auctions
965 Shelby GT350 R SFM5R108 – did not sell for $590,000
One of Only 36 R-Models Built. Highly Sought-After, Early-Production Example. Sebring Class Winner and Participant at Daytona. 1966 SCCA Southwest Division and 1967 B-Production Champion. Presented in 1967 AARC Racing Livery.
On September 20, 1965, 5R108 roared out of Shelby’s LAX hangars, making it the last R-Model completed during the first round of production. Although 36 R-Models were built over the short run, these 15 early-production customer cars not only cemented the competitive reputation of the GT350, they were often equipped with distinctive features not found on later examples.
In 1982, the R-Model was discovered by Georgians Bill Maney and Lee Roswell and subsequently restored to its 1967 Championship- winning appearance, complete with the distinctive tri-color Mexican livery. The historic racing veteran reappeared at the SAAC Reunion at Dearborn in 1983 and was sold to Fernando Lozano of Jamul, California the following year.
Auction Source: 2011 Scottsdale Auction by Gooding & Company
1965 Ford Shelby Mustang GT 350 R – did not sell for $852,500
Auction Source: 2007 Monterey Preview
Don’t forget about that special rear window on the GT-350R, its got that slit opening to help keep things cooler inside..