Shelby American
GT350 R (1965)

Why it matters

The GT350 R was the factory racing version of Shelby's 1965 Mustang-based GT350, built at Ford's instigation as part of its 'Total Performance' push. R-models dominated SCCA B-Production in their first season and kept winning at the national runoffs for several years. Production was tiny, with catalogues giving 34 to 36 cars.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Ford's San Jose plant supplied the base Mustangs and Shelby American converted them in a programme headed by Chuck Cantwell; the first R-models were 15 cars delivered without windows, heaters or upholstery. Engines were blueprinted in Shelby's shop with heads modified by Valley Porting Service, and the cars received a fibreglass front apron, Plexiglas side windows, an oil cooler and a large baffled fuel tank. Priced at $6,105, more than twice a stock Mustang, the R-models were sold to privateer racers in the US and Canada, where one won the 1965 Mosport 500 outright.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Period R-model features include a fibreglass front apron with a deep central air intake flanked by brake-cooling scoops, Plexiglas side windows in aluminium frames, a rear window with a gap at the top, an oil cooler, a four-point roll bar, a 34-gallon baffled fuel tank and American Racing 15x7 five-spoke wheels. Chassis numbers of catalogued cars carry the SFM5R prefix (e.g. SFM5R106, SFM 5R096); registry documentation should confirm R-model status.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   1965 Shelby GT350 R | Monterey 2018 | RM Sotheby's Level B

   • 36 GT350 R models built for 1965 (other catalogues: 33 or 34)

   Accessed 2026-11-11
2. 2
   1965 Shelby GT350 R (SFM5R106) Level B RM Sotheby's

   • 289 cu in V-8 engine
   • rated at a thunderous 325 hp; 325 to 360 horsepower on the Shelby dyno
   • aluminum case Borg Warner T-10M four-speed
   • four-speed manual transmission
   • 34-gallon baffled fuel tank

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   1965 Shelby GT350 R (Monterey 2012, lot R174) Level C RM Sotheby's

   • A Holley four-barrel carburetor on a Cobra high-rise aluminum intake manifold
   • front suspension upper A-arm chassis pivots were lowered an inch and Koni shocks were installed
   • live axle rear suspension with leaf springs
   • The leaf spring suspended rear axles got traction bars
   • front disc and rear drum brakes
   • sintered metallic brake pads and linings
   • quick ratio steering kits
   • Plexiglass side windows with aluminum frames saved 25 pounds
   • Wheelbase: 108"

   Accessed 2026-11-12