The Ford Mustang was the brainchild of Lee Iacocca and was branded as the first 'Pony Car' and was borne out of a need to compete with the flood of European sportscars coming into the USA in the sixties. The first production Mustang rolled off the assembly line in Dearborn, Michigan on March 9th, 1964 and was introduced to the public at the New York World's Fair on April 17th, 1964. Legendary Texan racing driver, Carroll Shelby had been campaigning Ford Mustangs with considerable success in America, winning the SCCA’s production title three years running.
Capitalising on his success, Shelby began manufacturing modified Mustangs, which were officially sanctioned by Ford and sold through selected dealerships. The first Shelby Mustang, the GT350, arrived in 1965 powered by a modified version of the Ford’s 289 cubic inch, small block, V8 engine with a four-speed Borg Warner manual gearbox.
If you want to find a real Shelby GT350 from 1965, it won’t be easy: Just 521 of them were produced. But alternatives do exist, such as this GT350 tribute pony car. It’s a for-real, Dearborn-built 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 fastback, one of 71,303 made in the first year for that body style. Imported and converted by Certified professional in Australia, it now resembles that iconic GT350.
In the rich world of Mustang lore, this is what’s called an T-code car, referring to the fifth character in its VIN number. One of the keys to the success of the Mustang was the extensive list of options and powertrain combinations that allowed the buyer to personalise his or her car to unprecedented levels. This1965 Mustang 2+2 Fastback is now equipped with a 302 cubic inch V8 (4949cc or 5 litres) motor mated to a Ford Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic. The car was imported by it's current owner to Hong Kong and road registered in June 2017. It had been the subject of a rebuild converting it to a re-creation of the sought-after Mustang GT350. The rebuild included overhauling the engine, a body restoration, a full repaint from red to blue and a new interior. The car has been upgraded to disc brakes on all four wheels. It is finished in metallic Caspian Blue and is complemented by a black interior.
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY:
The Mustang was the first in a new wave of personal sports compact cars and even coined the name "ponycar" used to distinguish them. From a relatively tame six-cylinder, automatic cruiser suitable for shopping or taking the kids to school through to a fire breathing V8 more suited to the racetrack, the Mustang was all things to all people from the time it was launched in 1964.
Few changes were made to the first generation Mustang- such was the speed they were being snapped up by eager buyers. For 1965 the range of body styles was extended to include the original notchback coupe, convertible and new fastback 2+2 that formed the basis for the super-performance Shelby GT-350 road and race cars. Many Mustangs have subsequently been rebuilt to pay tribute to the legendary Shelby and, done well, provide all the excitement at a price far more accessible to the masses.
Mae West once said, "Too much of a good thing is wonderful," and few cars are more emblematic of such rosy sentiments than the original Shelby GT350. Aiming to create a car that would dominate SCCA racing, Carroll Shelby, whose Ford-powered Cobras were already raking in plenty of trophies, turned his eye on the successful new Ford product that was taking the car market by storm.
Starting with a standard Mustang Fastback Coupe, Shelby installed a heavy-duty rear axle from a Ford Galaxy, bigger brakes, a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual, a massaged motor with solid lifter cams and other upgrades, a set of cast-magnesium center Cragar wheels, and numerous suspension tweaks. To qualify as a 'sports car' for SCCA, the rear seats were removed and in their place a full size spare was mounted. Offered in only one color (Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue rocker stripes—optional 'Le Mans' stripes could be ordered) the '65 GT350s hit the ground running and took home numerous victories in the hands of privateers. With its emphasis on speed, rather than creature comforts and civility, the first year GT350s are seen as the purest of the breed, free of the luxury features that found their way onto later models.
** SIMILAR VEHICLES ALWAYS REQUIRED**
Selling? Our brokerage sale program is a great way to utilise and access our marketing services and knowledge while maximising the return of your vehicle with minimal hassle, If you’d like to take advantage of this then please get in touch for further information.
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on this website has been compiled by Classic Insider with the utmost care. The information contained within this advert is provided ‘as-is’, without warranties as to its accuracy whether expressed or implied and is intended for informational purposes only. Classic Insider is not liable for any errors or mistakes.
Comentarios