How high will it go?
A 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 for sale on Bring A Trailer has already passed supercar money, with one day left to bid. The GT350 in question is one of just 504 street-legal examples to be built for that year, and it was first delivered to Hi-Performance Motors of Los Angeles on July 26, 1965.
It wasn't parked in a climate-controlled garage, however. The mechanical odometer shows 24,000 miles, but the New Mexico title mentions that the mileage is not accurate and that there is a discrepancy. This most likely dates back to the car's early life in Peru. After it arrived in LA, it was shipped to the South American country, where Luis Alvarado and Jorge Nicolini reportedly raced it.
The car returned to the USA in 2002 and received substantial refurbishment between 2013 to 2015. The 289 cubic inch V8 and four-speed manual transmission were replaced, leading to the discrepancy in mileage.
This particular model is sold in its original albeit refreshed body color. The Wimbledon White and Guardsman Blue Le Mans stripes work exceptionally well with the famous GT350 decals on the rocker panels.
The 15-inch Torq Thrust-style wheels, dual-exit side exhaust system, and the R-style front valance borrowed from the GT350R further enhance the exterior. It comes with polycarbonate rear and side windows and a rear package tray made from fiberglass to keep the weight down.
Then there are the usual bits and pieces, including the mesh grille, hood scoop, and chrome bumpers. The interior is finished in black vinyl, and the aircraft-style lap belts keep the passengers in place. The wood-rimmed steering wheel offers a nice contrast to the dark interior.
Looking at the images and knowing the story behind the car, it's easy to understand why it was voted the greatest Ford ever.
The sale also includes a copy of the Shelby American invoice for the conversion, plus optional extras like the alloy wheels. Carroll Shelby was tasked with creating a Mustang for the SCCA homologation requirements, and this is the result. It was constructed near the start of Ford and Shelby's famous partnership, culminating in a victory at Le Mans and building go-faster Mustang models. That relationship is ongoing and has even progressed to include the electric Mustang.
While this particular 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 is closing in on entry-level Ferrari and Lamborghini money, it's still far from setting a new Mustang record. The first 2024 Ford Mustang sold for $565,000 at an auction earlier this year, while the all-time record belongs to a 1965 GT350R driven by the late, great Ken Miles, which sold for $3.85 million.
Keyword: 1965 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 Selling For Supercar Money