1965 Shelby Mustang GT350

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Richard McAdam, known as “Doc” to his friends and family, epitomizes "work hard, play hard." Born and raised in rural Appalachia, Doc went on to become a renowned neurosurgeon in Virginia. Patients could regularly find “Doc” pulling into the hospital parking lot in one of his beloved Cobras or high-performance Mustangs. These cars were driven and enjoyed by “Doc” through the years, taking his family on back road joyrides on sunny day commutes. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present the Doc McAdam Collection, offered entirely without reserve.

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Carroll Shelby’s GT350, created to meet the Sports Car Club of America’s rules for entry into the B Production class, fulfilled the Mustang’s potential as a competition car and became an instant legend. Shelby built 562 GT350s for 1965, including 34 race cars (GT350R models) and 500-plus slightly toned-down street versions.

Ford initially shipped an SCCA‑required homologation run of approximately 100 Wimbledon White K‑Code Mustang GT Fastbacks from its San Jose assembly plant to Shelby American’s facility in Venice, California, while later cars were completed at larger leased hangars at Los Angeles International Airport. All vehicles underwent extensive Shelby American modifications to the engine, suspension, and brakes.

According to the Shelby American Automobile Club, this Shelby GT350 was built on the second-to-the-last day of 1965 street car production in July of ’65. Used as a drag car in its early years, this Shelby’s seams were welded together to improve rigidity. It retains its original radiator support, suggesting that it has never been wrecked, although the car no longer has its original engine and transmission.

Following a restoration in the 1980s that resulted in a pair of national prize-winning trophies, the GT350 was purchased in 1988 by Doc Adams, who modified the car for performance driving by installing a high-performance 302ci V8 engine, TREMEC five-speed manual transmission, rear disc brakes, aluminum shock tower braces, Recaro high‑bolster cloth bucket seats, and AutoMeter gauges. The car, which wears its original Shelby serial number tag, has been refinished in correct Wimbledon White paint with Guardsman Blue rocker stripes and LeMans racing stripes.

This 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 is now represented by a Broad Arrow Specialist and is offered at no reserve with the car's original seats and Shelby Cragar mag wheels, and a clean Virginia title in the seller’s name (VIN listed as 5S561).

Highlights

• Offered from the Doc McAdam Collection

• Second-to-the-last serial number for GT350 production in 1965

• Refinished in Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue GT350 rocker stripes and LeMans racing stripes

• Recaro high‑bolster cloth bucket seats with patterned inserts

• Replacement high-performance 302ci V8 engine

• TREMEC 5‑speed manual transmission

• Kelsey-Hayes 4-piston front disc brakes

• Original set of 4 Shelby Cragar wheels

Factory Equipment

• Original Shelby SFM serial number tag

• Original Impact 3” lap belts

• Original rear package tray

• Original trunk floors and rear frame rails

• All Ford Confidential serial numbers

• Lowered front A-arms

• Detroit Locker rear end

• Shelby door sill plates

• The Shelby serial number (SFM5S561) decodes as:

  • S – Shelby American

  • F – Ford Motor Company

  • M – Mustang

  • 5 – 1965 model year

  • S – Street

  • 561 – Sequential production number

Modifications

• 302ci V8

• Mallory Unilite electronic distributor

• TREMEC 5‑speed manual transmission

• Borla high-performance mufflers

• Reproduction ’66 Shelby-style bullet aluminum mirror

• Rear disc brakes

• American Racing 15” five-spoke wheels

• Adjustable proportioning valve

• Frame connectors

• Seams welded for rigidity (from its early years as a drag car)

• Recaro high‑bolster cloth bucket seats with patterned inserts (original seats included)

• Reproduction Shelby-style wood-rimmed steering wheel

• Full AutoMeter gauge cluster (speedometer, tachometer, fuel, oil temperature, amps, water temperature, and oil pressure)

• Kenwood AM/FM/cassette head unit

Service & Documentation

The seller states that the car has been refinished in Wimbledon White and that the following have been replaced:

• Ford NOS rear quarter panels installed during restoration

• Reproduction chrome bumpers, front and rear

• Replacement GT350 fiberglass hood with functional scoop

• Reproduction Carlite windshield

• Koni shocks

Known Imperfections

• Hood is not flush when closed; shows gaps

• Paint chips behind passenger rear wheel

• Hole in headliner, as shown in gallery

• Sill plates are scuffed

• Michelin Pilot tires are 20-plus years old

Ownership History

This 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 is offered from the Doc McAdam Collection of no reserve automobiles. Mr. McAdam purchased the car in 1988.

According to the Shelby Registry, original work on the car began on 30 June 1965 and was completed on 8 July 1965. Ordered on 27 July 1965, it was consigned and shipped to Lynch-Davidson Motors of Jacksonville, Florida, and invoiced for $3,547 plus $100.75 freight for a total cost of $3,647.75.

It was purchased by an unknown owner in Banks, Alabama, and eventually sold to Ken Salter of Pace, Florida, in early 1982. The Shelby was “painted blue and given shag carpeting, a Playboy air freshener, 1968 Mustang Mach 1 seats, baby moon hubcaps, side marker lights, and fur-covered dash. It was missing the engine, tachometer, and steering wheel. Salter restored it with Cragar wheels and painted it original (Wimbledon) White, and it won two National First Place trophies.”

Included Items

• Plaid Mustang trunk mat

• Original bucket seats

• Original set of 4 Cragar wheels (one is chipped)

• Exhaust system and brake parts

• Uninstalled AM radio

• Spare tire and wheel with cover

• Original screw‑type bumper jack and jack handle/lug wrench

• Fire extinguisher

• Shelby Owners Club newsletters

Additional Information

The Virginia title lists the VIN as 5S561.

According to Howard C. Pardee, the 1965 & ’66 GT350 Registrar for the Shelby American Automobile Club, the GT350s were not built in numerical order. This example wears the second-to-the-last serial number, and SAAC records show that No. SFM5S561 was built on July 8, 1966, the second-to-the-last day of street GT350 production.

Pardee explains, “The 1965 and 1966 GT350s were NOT finished in either Shelby or Ford serial number order. The Shelby serial number was assigned just after a delivery truck dropped off the cars at Shelby’s facility at the Los Angeles Airport and were put in long lines in random order. When the assembly line was ready for the next car, a worker was sent outside to bring a car into the building. Most probably, the worker would pick the car that was closest to the entry door and drive it in.”

The seller’s representative says, “This GT350 would be a great candidate for participation in Lee Cross' annual GT350 tour.”

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A Broad Arrow Representative is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this vehicle. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 Email: dgould@hagerty.com