My Car Quest

October 15, 2024

It’s Kind Of A Magical Car … This 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 R

by Mike –

If you want a 1960s era race car this is the one to have. It is one of the very rare 1965 Shelby GT350 R code race cars.

1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 R

1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 R

RM says this,

Est. 450 bhp, 289/293 cu. in. OHV V-8, Holley 4756 “double pumper” 4V carburetor, Shelby aluminum intake manifold, Borg-Warner Sebring T-10 close-ratio four-speed transmission, competition independent front suspension with upper A-arms, lower single arms, coil springs, adjustable shock absorbers, and HD anti-roll bar, rear live axle with four semi-elliptic leaf springs, and ventilated front disc brakes with rear drum brakes. Wheelbase: 108 in.

Documented as the “winningest” Shelby ever, with 17 straight wins from 1968–1969, driven by Charlie Kemp

Ran at a clocked 184 mph at Daytona in 1968, the highest speed known for any 289-powered Shelby, including Cobras

1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 R engine

Extensive racing history, including entries in Daytona and Sebring

Body panels are remarkably original and feature correct K-Code stampings

Extraordinary and fascinating history file, with original invoices, photographs, articles, and SAAC authentication documents

Eligible for all relevant historic races, including the 2014 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 R

This is Chassis no. SFM-5R538 – the estimate is: $900,000 – $1,200,000.

This very fast race car is owned and was raced by Charlie Kemp.

“It has been a winner,” said Charlie. “Everybody who drove that car won races in it. It’s kind of a magical car… some cars are just that way.”

I suspect this GT350 R will be sold at the top end of the estimate. The RM listing is here.

I have adored the 1965 Shelby GT350 every since as a kid I saw them driving around Los Angeles when they were new.

1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 R

1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 R

1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 poster

Summary
 It’s Kind Of A Magical Car ... This 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 R
Article Name
It’s Kind Of A Magical Car ... This 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 R
Description
This is the "winningest" Shelby ever - a 1965 GT350 R for auction at Amelia Island.
Author

Comments

  1. Always wondered why it was so much faster than contemporary GT350Rs. Special heads or stroked crank or something? Just think 184mph at Daytona. Just when you start thinking it was too magical, I spotted that booger weld on that door bar to A pillar bar!!!! Looks like it was welded with a harbor freight 110 mig with no gas.

    Let me add that Charlie Kemp was a wheel man, so the driver part was solid.

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