Some 250 of the 562 '65 Shelby GT350s were built at Venice. The rest were assembled at the new airport facility. At the new factory, Shelby Mustangs were produced on a production line, much like an automobile assembly plant. The cars moved from one workstation to the next. That is the way Shelby Mustangs were transformed through 1967.
Shelby-American campaigned the GT350 on the track, as well, dominating the series for which it was built. In 1965, GT350s won five of the six SCCA divisional championships. Of the 14 cars and 2 alternates that qualified for the B-production run-off at the '65 ARRC (American Road Race of Champions) held in Daytona, Florida, 10 entries were GT350s and the winner was 5R001, driven by Shelby team driver Jerry Titus.
After that championship '65 season, Shelby American withdrew and left the fight for wins to its customers. Likewise, it quit producing the Competition GT350. R-models (as they came to be named much later by SAAC) remained unsold, amazing, considering just 36 had been built. The market was small indeed for a full-tilt race car. Shelby, however, kept producing and selling his GT350 Mustang for the street.
But make no mistake about it, the '65 Shelby Mustang GT350 was the original, born out of a necessity to race. Racing was the reason for its existence, creating a no-nonsense performance ponycar. It spawned a series of Shelby Mustangs that lasted a short six model years through 1970.
Quick Reference Guide To Shelby MustangsFirst Generation'65 Mustang GT350 CompetitionThe original GT350, the big-buck ride that the high-rollers lust after in vintage racing, is the Competition model. These ponies went racing right off the assembly line.
The 289 High Performance V-8 is all-out race, with 16 mechanical lifters, Cobra high-rise, Holley center-pivot, extra-tall oil fillers/breathers, and steel valve covers, plus a fiberglass front lower apron, sans bumper. The R-model designation comes from the R in the serial number.
The R-model is weight reduction to the extreme, including no bumpers, aluminum-framed sliding side windows, and a plexiglass, vented rear window. It also had front and rear brake cooling assemblies, 34 gallon fuel tank, 311/42-inch quick-fill gas cap, electric fuel pump, five magnesium bolt-on 7x15-inch wheels, revised wheel openings, roll bar, shoulder harness, fire extinguisher, and flame resistance interior.
'65 Mustang GT350It was the ultimate street warrior with the same basic suspension used in the Competition model. It was Cobra 289 modified to produce 306 hp, featuring a Cobra high-rise aluminum intake, Holley 715-cfm four-barrel carburetor, and hollow Cobra-lettered, finned, aluminum valve covers. All have aluminum Borg-Warner T-10 four-speeds and 9-inch Galaxie rearends with larger rear drum brakes. No compromises for the street.
Form follows function. The fiberglass hood incorporates a scoop that really works, same for the scoops to the brakes. Guardsman Blue LeMans stripes painted over the top of the car were optional. Side stripes along the lower rocker panels incorporated the GT350 logo. Cragar five-spoke mags were optional. Most, if not all, GT350s were equipped with 15x511/42-inch steel wheels, chrome lug nuts, and Goodyear Blue Dot tires.
Note: There were also four Shelby-prepared GT350 drag cars built in 1965.