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1965 Shelby GT350 Comparison Guide - Under The Snake SkinA comparison of the ’65 Shelby GT350 cars, from street to track From the September, 2011 issue of Modified Mustangs & Fords By Dan Reiter Photography by By The Author
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If you have attended any vintage car convention, particularly with an emphasis on racing, chances are you have found period race cars, and a marquee race for them. By far, the most popular groups are the vintage Trans-Am and B-Production sedans of the mid '60s through the early '70s. This group includes the legends from the American Big 3, including Mustangs, Boss 302s, Camaro Z/28s, Firebirds, AAR 'Cudas, and so many more contenders. One purebred racer stands above all others and is the most popular by far, the legendary '65 Shelby GT350s. The history of the Shelby GT350 is well known to almost all enthusiasts. What's not as well know is what goes into building the race versions of these cars, the awesome '65 Shelby GT350R (only 36 were ever made), and the current vintage racing Mustang fastbacks that recreate this car. Back in the day, these cars raced in SCCA B-Production from 1965 onward and simply dominated their class. When Trams-Am was founded in 1966, newer versions of the Mustang carried the torch, culminating with the '70 Boss 302 and its dominance of the 1970 season. If indeed you have been to a recent SAAC (Shelby American Automobile Club) convention, or one of the many other similar vintage racing events, you have found many vintage Mustang racers on the track and lounging in the sun. These cars are a mix of genuine Shelby GT350s and regular Mustangs that have been rebuilt into period-correct race cars. To keep the fields even, and govern car construction and safety, there are a few groups that have series for these cars. They have very strict and specific rules and guidelines for the cars, keeping them both safe and looking period correct. The two major groups are SVRA (Sportscar Vintage Racing Association) and VARA (Vintage Auto Racing Association). Both groups have very similar rulesùhappily both also strive to keep the technology and looks period correct, while allowing some modernization for safety and reliability. So, back to our original question: What's involved in building one of these cars? It's almost like building any race car, only with stricter rules. Instead of going into a very detailed investigation, we'll show a comparison between a stock '65 GT350, a restored GT350R, and a current race-modified GT350. We'll cover the basics of each major area of the cars and give an overview of the modifications. If you want all the specifics, you should contact each individual sanctioning body and get the specific rules. In a broad stroke, the rules keep the cars as close to production as possible, while allowing brake, engine, and electrical upgrades in accordance to practices of the period. They do accept some modern technology such as ignition, fuel, some brake, and other areas, while strongly suggesting full rollcages, fire protection, and other safety features. It keeps the cars from becoming the tube-framed monsters of today, and the costs are held in check. So to all of you "Walter Mittys" out there, follow with us as we show you what your future driver's "office" consists of.  1a Shown here is a front...  1a Shown here is a front view of the three variants. The street ’65 GT350 very closely resembles a regular Mustang, including slightly wider wheels, full bumpers, sheetmetal, and standard ride height...  1b ...The only visible clues...  1b ...The only visible clues are the Shelby-Specific Special Cragar 15x6-inch wheels and Goodyear “Blue Dot” tires. The GT350R shows much more of a racing purpose with the removal of bumpers, chrome, and heavy body components, along with 15x7-inch racing wheels and tires, lightweight windows, and other body modifications...  1c ...The vintage racer carries...  1c ...The vintage racer carries the modifications further with a further lowered stance, no windows, added scoops for brake cooling, and other allowed racing modifications. But the car is still a stock Mustang body.  2a A comparison of the three...  2a A comparison of the three from the rear shows the different purpose of each. The street GT350 again shows its production car heritage, all with the deletion of the rear bumper, vents replaced with a simple steel panel, and replacement of the rear window with a special Plexiglas vented window...  2b ...The race car goes further...  2b ...The race car goes further along the R-model theme, but adds more openings to the window, an external battery cut-off, and other racing upgrades....  2c ... Visible on the race...  2c ... Visible on the race car is a radio antenna on the rear edge of the roof for modern driver-crew communication.  3a Under the hoods again...  3a Under the hoods again delineates the different purpose of each. The street GT350s had the potent “K” code engine, upgraded with an aluminum intake manifold and headers, and good for 306 hp.  3b ...The R-models had their...  3b ...The R-models had their engines all pulled, rebuilt/blueprinted, and probably “tweaked” for best performance with horsepower ratings nearing 375 hp. Today’s engines are indeed more powerful, but still must adhere to strict guidelines. Heads and blocks are mandated to be as original, so roller engines/cams and aluminum heads are out. Overbores are limited to keep displacement as close to stock and the induction must also be as originally provided by the manufacturer. The engines must be in stock locations and no dry-sump oiling systems are allowed...  3c ...Electronic ignition...  3c ...Electronic ignition is permitted, but the trigger must be in the distributor. Within this framework, you have some freedom to squeeze out as much power as you can. A well prepared 289ci vintage race engine can put out 500-plus hp, and have a useable redline of 8,500 rpm. Again, each sanctioning body has its own rules, so some variances are expected.  4a The interior is where...  4a The interior is where one will find the greatest amount of difference. Back in the ’60s, not much was done. The ’65 street GT350s had an instrument pod added with a tach and mechanical oil pressure gauge to help monitor the engine, and the special steering wheel was added...  4b ...The rear seat was removed...  4b ...The rear seat was removed and replaced with a fiberglass shelf. In the R-models, in addition to the street GT350 modifications, the factory removed all door window hardware and glass for more weight savings, replacing them with aluminum parts, a Lexan window, and a strap to hold the window closed. The dash was replaced with racing gauges, and all sound deadening was removed. Still, it was very easy to see the Mustang’s roots.  5a A current vintage racer’s...  5a A current vintage racer’s interior is much more akin to a NASCAR machine...  5b ...Here, the rules allow...  5b ...Here, the rules allow full rollcages to both protect the driver, and tie the chassis together for strength and improved handling...  5c ...Racing seats, fire...  5c ...Racing seats, fire systems, brake bias adjustment, safety equipment, and modern gauges—generally a modern race car inside a vintage body.  6a Even in the trunk, today’s...  6a Even in the trunk, today’s cars are different from the ’60s, mostly due to safety concerns....  6b ...The street ’65 GT350s...  6b ...The street ’65 GT350s had the rear seat removed, and the spare tire relocated to the rear interior area. The trunk was still useable, but very small. The gas tank remained the stock 16-gallon Mustang tank...  6c ...In the R-model, the...  6c ...In the R-model, the gas tank was of increased capacity by combining two tanks to create a 36-gallon tank. Today, safety rules mandate a fuel cell and safety systems for crash and fire concerns.  7a Front suspension and...  7a Front suspension and brakes get a lot of attention on the vintage racers...  7b ...Again, rules are very...  7b ...Again, rules are very strict, but do allow upgrades as long as they keep all stock dimensions, and increase safety. The suspension must have the stock configuration, but can be reworked. Seen here are many significant changes, including a beefier rotor and hub, a reworked caliper, an upper ball joint repositioning kit, bumpsteer correction, and heavier springs. Basically, all the faults of the original suspension are dealt with!  8 Out back, the same rules...  8 Out back, the same rules as front suspension apply as well. Drum brakes must be retained, but can be improved. Also, springs, shocks, and more all receive attention to aid handling, and survive the racing stress.  9 Even the rear window receives...  9 Even the rear window receives attention, with extra holes added to help extract air from the interior.  10a Tires are another difference...  10a Tires are another difference with the cars. The street ’65 GT350s got Cragar wheels and 15-inch Goodyear Blue Dot tires...  10b ...Today, the rules still...  10b ...Today, the rules still stipulate a 15-inch tire on period correct rims, but the variety is even greater.  11 Yes, this is a real Shelby....  11 Yes, this is a real Shelby. This particular car has a long history of being raced almost since new, and the current state of the car has been an evolutionary process.  12 This car, plus its stable-mate,...  12 This car, plus its stable-mate, are looked after by one of the largest and best Cobra and Shelby shops in the country. Cobra Automotive can do everything from sell you a correct gasket to build you a race car. Got the itch and the cash? Here’s your first stop.  13 Home in the garage, our...  13 Home in the garage, our subject rests with its stable-mate. These two belong to a father and son team that runs at many vintage meets. If you attend any of these, there’s a good chance you have seen these two cars. Notice on the wall some of the original parts!
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