by Mike –

The 1965 Shelby GT350 Mustang is a milestone car for many reasons and the 1966 model may be a better street driver. Both the 1965 and 1966 have a top level collectability rating, with the 1966 version going for prices that are half (or less) than a 1965 version.

In 1964 Ford asked Carroll Shelby to transform the Ford Mustang into a race car. He did that and in 1965 the Shelby GT350 Mustang won the SCCA B/Production Class championship. There were 562 1965 GT350s produced: 34 were the race version, 9 were drag racing models, 1 street prototype, 2 race prototypes and 516 street versions.

The 1966 model was designated simply a Shelby GT350, not a Mustang. While all of the 1965 GT350s were white other colors, in addition to white, were introduced in 1966 which included: red, green, blue and black. There were 2,367 examples made in 1966 including 999 of the Hertz version (GT350H) and four convertibles.

The easiest way to spot the difference between a 1965 and 1966 GT350 are the air scoops behind the doors, which are designed to cool the rear brakes, on the 1966 model. The new version also had rear quarter-panel windows instead of vents. Options included the Select Shift 3-speed automatic (instead of the 4-speed manual transmission) and a Paxton supercharger which made the GT350 even faster.

The battery was located in the engine compartment instead of the trunk, the fold down rear seats were an option and dual-exhaust exiting the rear was standard. The 1965 models had the exhaust coming out the side behind the doors.

They look great, go fast and sound great. Maybe someday I will find one for me.

Buyers need to be careful because it is fairly easy to create a fake GT350. It is important to be sure any 1966 Shelby GT350 you want to purchase is in the SAAC 1965-1967 Shelby Mustang Registry.