The 1966 Shelby GT350 shares a close resemblance to the original 1965 model, though it shifted slightly away from its pure race car roots, leaning more towards being a road-friendly sports car. It now featured rear seats, slightly softer suspension, and a full under-car exhaust system.
A key visual difference was the addition of rear quarter windows in place of the vents found on the ’65 model. However, it still retained the high-performance 306 HP K-Code HiPo engine and 4-speed manual transmission, with a new optional Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission available.
This particular 1966 Shelby GT350, chassis SFM6S798, was ordered on January 20, 1966, and initially delivered to Young Motor Company in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was specified in Sapphire Blue with optional 14″ alloy wheels and rear seats, as confirmed by a copy of its original invoice.
The car looks stunning today, thanks to a bare-metal restoration carried out between 2012 and 2015. This restoration involved disassembly, acid dipping, and repainting of the body, and retrimming the black interior.
The 289ci HiPo V8 paired with a four-speed manual transmission and rated at 306 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, was rebuilt during the restoration. Additionally, in 2021, the carburetor was overhauled, ignition components were replaced, and fluids were refreshed.
Source: Bring A Trailer
