Never before offered for public sale, this 1965 Shelby GT350, SFM5S385, is a three-owner car with long-term collector ownership history, as documented in the Shelby Registry. Historically, it was delivered new to fabled performance dealership Tasca Ford before it was consigned to and sold out of John Grappone Ford in New Hampshire in 1965. One of only 562 built—all Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue stripes—in the first year of GT350 production, the Shelby is a midproduction model that retains its original sheet metal- supported fiberglass hood. Originality can be found throughout the car, including the sheet metal, Car Lite side and rear glass, dash pod with Shelby tachometer, button-top fuel pump, air cleaner assembly, valve covers and the aluminum intake. The original matching-numbers drivetrain includes the 306 HP Cobra 289 High Performance engine, aluminum BorgWarner T10 4-speed transmission and 3.89:1 Detroit Locker 9-inch rear end. In late 1964, Ford looked to Carroll Shelby to create a sports car image for its new Mustang by competing in SCCA competition. Needing to base the race car on a street car available to the public, Shelby American came up with the GT350. Starting with 1965 HiPo fastbacks from Ford, Shelby made modifications to enhance the appearance, add horsepower and improve handling. The factory 289 HiPo engines received a Cobra aluminum high-rise intake, 715 CFM Holley 4-barrel, Cobra aluminum valve covers, higher-capacity Cobra aluminum oil pan and Tri-Y headers that exited through side exhaust. For improved handling, the suspension was modified with lowered front A-arms, Koni shocks, override traction bars and a trunk-mounted battery. Because the “sports car” definition required a two-seat configuration, the rear seat was replaced by a fiberglass package tray that also mounted the spare tire. Other interior modifications included a wood-rim steering wheel, competition seat belts and an instrument panel pod with tachometer and oil pressure gauge. Recently detailed, serviced, tuned and mechanically sorted with an emphasis on drivability, SFM5S385 is equipped with the optional Shelby/Cragar 15-inch wheels that mount new reproduction Goodyear blue-dot tires. In addition to its listing in the Shelby Registry, the rare GT350 is documented by its original SFM VIN tag, serial number stamping in the inner fender apron and all three confidential and hidden serial numbers stamped in the upper aprons. The Shelby comes with a binder containing a serial number verification letter, original engine and rear differential tags, copies of previous titles, Shelby invoice, Tasca Ford shipping invoice, SAAC documents, warranty repair orders and an original 1965 Ford dealer brochure. The glovebox door has been signed by Carroll Shelby, and the underside of the decklid was signed by former Shelby American GT350 engineer Chuck Cantwell.
