The first Shelby Mustang, the GT350, debuted in 1965, featuring a modified Ford 289ci (4.7-liter) small-block V8 that delivered 306 horsepower. Performance-focused variants included competition-spec engines producing 340-360 hp and a supercharged version rated at 400 hp. Early GT350s came standard with a 4-speed Borg-Warner manual transmission, though a robust 3-speed automatic soon became an optional upgrade.
The suspension and drivetrain were upgraded to handle the GT350’s enhanced performance, but externally, it remained understated apart from the signature racing stripes running down the center of the car. On the road, however, the GT350’s performance set it apart from its standard Mustang counterparts.
This 1966 Shelby GT350, delivered to Downey Auto Center in California on October 19, 1966, sports a red exterior with white stripes and a reupholstered black vinyl interior. Powered by a Shelby-tuned 289ci HiPo V8 producing 306 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, it’s paired with a replacement 4-speed manual transmission.
The car is equipped with front disc brakes, optional 10-spoke alloy wheels, a Holley four-barrel carburetor, a cast aluminum high-rise intake manifold, a steel-reinforced fiberglass hood, a wood-rimmed F.I.V. Secura steering wheel, a Sport Deck rear seat, and a dual exhaust system with an H-pipe and Flowmaster mufflers.
As one of the most iconic muscle cars of the 1960s, the Shelby Mustang continued to evolve alongside the standard model, adopting styling updates and mechanical refinements while maintaining its distinct performance-oriented features until production concluded in 1970.
Source: Bring A Trailer
