Listed for sale on Bring a Trailer, this exceptionally restored 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 represents one of just 504 street-going examples produced during the model’s inaugural year. As one of the most significant high-performance Mustangs ever built, the car retains its period-correct character while carrying a fascinating ownership history that reflects the evolving culture of American performance motoring.
Originally finished in the signature Wimbledon White paint scheme shared by all 1965 GT350s, the car was ordered with the two factory options available at the time: Le Mans-style Guardsman Blue racing stripes extending over the bodywork and a set of distinctive 15-inch Cragar cast-alloy wheels. Delivered new in California, reportedly through Hayward Motors, the Shelby remained registered in the state for approximately two decades, preserving its West Coast heritage.
During ownership by its second caretaker, the GT350 served an unconventional role as a tow vehicle for a race car. To support that duty, modifications included the installation of a Maier Racing front apron and an oversized 34-gallon fuel tank. When ownership changed in 1985, those aftermarket additions were removed, returning the car closer to its original factory specification.
A comprehensive restoration undertaken in the mid-1990s elevated the Shelby to concours standards under the supervision of respected Shelby American Automobile Club judge John Brown. The meticulous work earned national recognition in 2007 when the car captured Premier in Division 1 honors at the SAAC National Convention Concours held at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Following its award-winning appearance, the GT350 passed through the hands of several dedicated collectors before being acquired by its current owner in 2018.
The exterior showcases hallmark GT350 styling cues, including a steel-reinforced fiberglass hood featuring a functional scoop and quick-release pins, a mesh grille with the offset Mustang emblem, and distinctive sail-panel louvers. The optional Cragar wheels are fitted with Avon CR6ZZ tires, while a spare tire is mounted above the fiberglass rear package shelf.
Inside, the cabin remains faithful to Shelby’s competition-inspired formula. Black vinyl upholstery, low-back bucket seats, aircraft-style lap belts, and a fiberglass rear shelf replacing the standard Mustang’s rear seat emphasize the car’s performance-focused mission. Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer, auxiliary oil-pressure gauge, and a tachometer marked with a 6,500-rpm redline.
Power comes from Shelby’s legendary 289-cubic-inch High Performance Windsor V8, equipped with a four-barrel Holley carburetor and aluminum intake manifold. Factory output was rated at 306 horsepower, complemented by Shelby-specific upgrades such as tri-Y exhaust headers, finned aluminum valve covers, and a baffled aluminum oil pan. The engine is paired with a close-ratio Borg-Warner T10 four-speed manual transmission and a rugged 9-inch rear axle fitted with a Detroit Locker differential.
1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 For Sale – Image Gallery
Source: Bring a Trailer
