To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Arizona event, 22 January 2021.
Estimate:
$350,000 - $400,000

• Desirable early Venice-built, “double digit” GT350 - #47
• Retains many unique early production features
• Originally sold through Ray Hunt Ford in Daytona Beach, Florida
• Documented by the SAAC Registry and via original sales invoices
• One of 562 GT350s built in 1965

Starting with Ford’s already exceptional “K-code” Mustang fastback, Carroll Shelby and his team at Shelby American loaded the GT350 with numerous suspension, performance upgrades and improved safety equipment and beefed up the engine, adding approximately 35 horsepower over the standard “Hi-Po” 289 V-8. The result was a production class-racing powerhouse that easily met the challenge from other cars of the day, including the Sunbeam Tiger and Jaguar E-Type, as well as Ford’s arch nemesis, the Chevrolet Corvette, racing in the high profile SCCA B-Production Class. Shelby American produced only 562 of these tough-and-ready GT350s in 1965, and they are considered the most desirable and collectable among all Shelby Mustangs.

The earliest batch of 1965 GT350s were produced for the express purpose of SCCA homologation and were finished in Shelby American’s famed Venice facility, before the firm’s move to much larger facilities at the LAX airport. This small shop is where the hot rodders and fabricators of Shelby American would produce many of the early Cobras and GT40s alongside the early homologation versions of the GT350. In the hierarchy of desirability, these Venice built GT350s are especially coveted by Shelby collectors as they most faithfully represent the original purpose of the GT350 program.

According to the SAAC registry, chassis number SFM 5S047 was received by Shelby American in Venice on 23 December 1964. The crew at Shelby American began working on the car in early February of 1965 and by 23 February 1965 the car was completed. The GT350 was shipped to Ray Hunt Ford in Daytona Beach, Florida on 8 March 1965, and the dealership was invoiced $3,746.75. It was sold new to Robert Mungall of Cocoa Beach, Florida on 8 July 1965. In November of 1965 Mr. Mungall had the hood replaced on the GT350 under warranty, a repair that had been noted when he purchased the car new. The Shelby would have three subsequent U.S.-based owners before being listed in Autoweek on 30 November 1974 for $2,500. It was sold to a gentleman in Canada, remaining in the country through three subsequent owners.

Today, this GT350 presents beautifully, having benefitted from a restoration years ago, and a recent cosmetic refresh in 2019. It retains the signature unique details of an early “two-digit” GT350 including the larger 16-inch wood steering wheel, fiberglass gauge pod with original oil pressure gauge and tachometer, dash-mounted horn switch, and a trunk-mounted battery. It rides on 15-inch Shelby Cragar wheels with Goodyear “blue dot” tires. The interior prominently features Carroll Shelby’s distinctive signature on the glovebox. The GT350 is accompanied by copies of Shelby American Invoices to Ray Hunt Ford and as well as Shelby American warranty work invoices from the first owner. Additional correspondence is included between a prior owner and SAAC confirming the car’s Shelby chassis number matches up with its Ford internal chassis number.

A highly desirable Venice built, double digit example, this beautifully restored Shelby GT350 is sure to draw attention on the road or at the track.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az21.