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1965 – 1966 Mustang Shelby GT350
1965 – 1970 Shelby Mustang ( 1st Generation ), Shelby Mustangs produced between 1965 and 1970 ( 1st Generation ), The 1965 GT350 was not intended to be a comfortable or simple vehicle to operate in any way. This model won the B-Production class for the previous three years in a row, and there were 34 “GT350R” race-spec vehicles built specifically for use in competition in accordance with SCCA regulations.
Casual drivers had a more comfortable experience in the 1966 GT350 because it featured rear seats, multiple color options, and the option of an automatic transmission. In the years that followed, people continued to have a need for additional options and conveniences, which resulted in the development of automobiles that were significantly larger, heavier, and more comfortable. The standard Mustang received primarily cosmetic updates in 1969 for the GT350 and GT500 models, respectively.
1965
The exhaust system of the 1965 GT350 featured a side-exit twin exhaust along with glasspack mufflers. Exhaust systems that exit from the rear were installed in fourteen automobiles so that the sellers could comply with state regulations governing sales in certain locations. The Goodyear “Blue Dot” tires that came standard on the GT350 were rated for a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h) and got their name from the recognizable blue dot that was located on each sidewall. The 1965 GT350 only had two seats available due to the fact that the rear seats had been removed and replaced with a full-size spare tire.
1966
The Mustang name was eliminated from the GT350 for the 1966 model year, and it was now referred to as the Shelby GT350. Additionally, for the new model year, colors other than white were made available, including blue, red, green, and even black. Other modifications included bespoke rear quarter-panel windows that were installed in lieu of the original extractor vents, working brake scoops on both sides of the vehicle, an optional Paxton supercharger, and an available three-speed automatic transmission. In 1966, the battery was not moved to the trunk, and over-rider traction bars were no longer an option. Also, the trunk was not used to store the battery.
The Shelby GT350 from 1966 continued to make use of the previous year’s High-Performance K-code 289 cubic-inch V8 engine even though it had been enhanced the year before. On this particular engine, modifications were made to include the installation of a high-rise aluminum intake manifold, a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, and Tri-Y headers. The Shelby-inspired 289 received significant enhancements to its performance characteristics, turning it into a formidable adversary for any challenge.
In 1967, Ford updated the Mustang, making it heavier and giving it a bigger, fiberglass hood along with revised fascias both in front of and behind the vehicle. Carroll Shelby wanted to differentiate his vehicle from the Mustang, which it was based on, so he made several design alterations that gave the car a more aggressive appearance. The original design from 1965 was still there, but these adjustments achieved their goal.
1967
The engine of the 1967 GT350 was an iron-block V-8 with a displacement of 289 cubic inches (4.7 liters), and it generated 306 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. When considering that the GT350 had a pushrod engine, the engine revved exceptionally high; yet, the peak horsepower did not reach full throttle until the 6,000-rpm redline. In 1967, when the vehicle was manufactured, it only featured a single Holley four-barrel carburetor, which was a long time before modern fuel injection.
1968
In 1968, a factory 302 V8 engine with an aluminum Cobra intake manifold and a Holley 600 cfm carburetor was installed in lieu of the previous 289ci V8 engine. The 302 had fewer racing components than the 289 and generated 250 horsepower, but it had the same amount of speed. Available was a Paxton Supercharger with a rating of 33 horsepower at 5,200 revolutions per minute.
1969 Shelby GT350 Super Snake
When compared to the 1968 model, the 1969 Shelby GT350 had a few subtle exterior updates. The front end of the GT350 was stretched out even farther, and a bigger fiberglass hood that included three operational air scoops was used. Additionally, the grille of the GT350 received a makeover, and rectangular driving lights were relocated from above the front bumper to below it.
The 1969 Ford GT350 received an upgrade in the form of a 470 CFM four-barrel Autolite carburetor and a new 351 cubic-inch Windsor V8 engine from Ford. In addition, this engine came with a one-of-a-kind aluminum intake manifold and aluminum valve covers in the shape of a striped ‘Cobra.’ The 290 horsepower came from the 351 Windsor engine.
