Soaring into the number one spot is a Mustang that earned its place in history with its seemingly innate ability to leave terra firma behind: the 1965 Shelby GT350R Prototype. Selling for $3.85 million at the 2020 Indy Summer Special, this ultra-hot stallion is known as the “Flying Mustang” and has more than one first to its name. It was the first Shelby R-model competition car built in addition to being the first Shelby Mustang to win a race. January 27, 1965, marked the start of its promotional duties, being shown to the press at the Riverside International Raceway in California. The vehicle was way more than a pretty face and was soon put to serious race use, being utilized in competition for the first time on February 14 at Green Valley Raceway near Dallas. Behind the wheel was famed wheelman Ken Miles, who was in love with the raw performance pedigree that allowed him to win that day’s B Production races. Besides the first-place finish, more good fortune arrived when a photographer snapped photos of the vehicle soaring over a rise with all four tires off the pavement, resulting in iconic imagery that led to its branding for years to come as the “Flying Mustang.” Mere weeks after the Texas win, Jerry Titus racked up his own winning streak in the vehicle in multiple races across the country, followed by additional race success by GT350 project engineer Chuck Cantwell. The red-hot streak didn’t cool down, but with other irons in the fire, on March 31, 1966, Shelby American sold the vehicle to Bill Clawson, an engineer in the Ford Performance Division in Dearborn, Michigan. Knowing full well the car’s capabilities, he campaigned it in the SCCA Midwest circuit before selling it in 1968. It changed hands again in 1970, ending up on a trailer in an open shelter in a yard near Monterrey, Mexico. It was discovered in 1989 by Mark Gillette who purchased it and brought the car back stateside where it ended up being displayed “as is” in the Shelby American Museum in Boulder, Colorado. In 2010, it was acquired by John Atzbach who commissioned Thoroughbred Restorations in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to restore the vehicle to its racing setup as seen in February of 1965. FAST FACTS Sold Where Sold for Sold When Lot # Nicknamed Part of Driven by Indianapolis, Indiana $3,850,000 The John Atzbach Collection July 2020 F140 The Flying Mustang Ken Miles Bob Bondurant Chuck Cantwell Peter Brock Jerry Titus Body Style Paint Interior Engine Transmission Chassis # PRODUCTION SPECS Fastback Wimbledon White Black 289 CI V-8 4-speed manual SFM5R002 RARITY FIGURES 1st Shelby R-Model competition car built 1st Shelby Mustang to win a race Since its completion, the Shelby has been presented at numerous prestigious events including the 2014 Amelia Island Concours, the National Shelby Convention at Road America, a special show of “Important Ford Prototypes” held in Dearborn and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Spurred by such a prestigious pedigree and track-proven prowess, the arena was ecstatic when the Shelby rolled down the red carpet at the 2020 Indy Summer Special and hammered sold for that spectacular, record-setting price.
