Makes › Shelby American › GT350 › GT350R · Factory competition · 1965 Ultra Rare
Shelby American
GT350R
Factory competition version of the GT350 for SCCA B-Production
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 34 Built
- Years
- 1965
- Engine
- Front-mounted V8 · 4,740 cc / 4.7 LFactory: 289 cu in · converted
- Power
- 242 kW / 330 PSFactory: 325 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Chuck Cantwell (Shelby American project lead)
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
Shelby American built the GT350R as a turn-key racer for SCCA B-Production, and it immediately dominated the class. It turned the Mustang into a credible sports-racing car and became a cornerstone of Ford's 1960s performance image. Only 34 production R-models were built according to RM Sotheby's.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionR-models built (some sources add prototypes for 36) | 341 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The initiative came from Ford, and Shelby American converted Mustangs supplied by the San Jose plant, with Chuck Cantwell in charge of the project. Base K-code 271 hp engines were replaced by blueprinted 289 V8s producing 325 to 360 hp on Shelby's dyno, driving through an aluminium-case Borg-Warner T-10M four-speed. Weight was cut with Plexiglas windows and a fibreglass front apron, and the cars went on to dominate SCCA B-Production in 1965 and the runoffs for the following three years.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard GT350R.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Front-mounted V82 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 4,740 cc / 4.7 LFactory: 289 cu in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Holley four-barrel carburettor on Cobra high-rise aluminium intake manifold; Cyclone Tri-Y headers2 Independently researched |
| Power | 242 kW / 330 PSFactory: 325 hp · converted2 Independently researchedDyno range 325-360 hp per S1. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Borg-Warner T-10M aluminium-case four-speed manual2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 42 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | independent: coil springs, upper A-arm pivots lowered one inch, Koni shocks, one-inch front sway bar2 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | live axle with leaf springs and traction bars2 Independently researched |
| Brakes | front discs, rear drums (Fairlane station-wagon drums), sintered metallic pads2 Independently researched |
| Steering | quick-ratio steering kit2 Independently researched |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Materials | fibreglass hood and front apron, Plexiglas side and rear windows (saving 25 lb)2 Independently researched |
| Wheelbase | 2,740 mmFactory: 108 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | 129 LFactory: 34 gal-us · converted2 Independently researched |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Look for the fibreglass front apron with deep air intake and brake-cooling scoops, Plexiglas side windows in aluminium frames (saving 25 lb), the gapped rear window, oil cooler, four-point roll bar, 34-gallon baffled fuel tank and American Racing 15x7 five-spoke wheels. Catalogued cars carry SFM5R-prefixed chassis numbers (SFM5R106, SFM 5R096).
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
RM Sotheby's Monterey 2012 – 1965 Shelby GT350 R Level B
- 34 R-models built (some sources add prototypes for 36)
-
2
1965 Shelby GT350 R (Monterey 2012, lot R174) Level C RM Sotheby's
- 289 cu in V-8 engine
- A Holley four-barrel carburetor on a Cobra high-rise aluminum intake manifold
- rated at a thunderous 325 hp
- aluminum case Borg Warner T-10M four-speed
- four-speed manual transmission
- 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"
- 34-gallon baffled fuel tank
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