1966 Ford Mustang Fastback Shelby GT350 Tribute Project

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Carroll Shelby once said, “The only time a ‘Vette would see Victory Circle was if a Shelby GT350 didn’t show up.” By 1965 Ford had three plants working overtime to meet the demand for Lee Iacocca’s “secretary’s car”. But no one would consider the Mustang a bona fide supercar. 

Carroll Shelby’s GT350 fulfilled the potential of the Mustang that Iacocca never saw. They were created to meet the Sports Car Club of America’s rules to allow them into the B Production class, and Shelby built 34 racers along with a slightly toned-down street version. Wimbledon White K-Code Mustang Fastbacks from Ford’s San Jose, California, plant were trucked to Shelby’s new buildings at Los Angeles International Airport. Along with extensive engine, suspension, and body mods, the engines got a pair of Shelby’s trademark Cobra valve covers. Young designer Peter Brock also designed the GT350 side stripes and wide blue “Le Mans” stripes running over the hood, top, and trunk. Shelby American produced 504 street GT350 Mustangs in 1965 and another 2,377 in ’66, creating an instant legend. 

With the rarity and value of genuine Shelby GT350s, this ’66 Mustang tribute captures the essence of those historic performance machines, without the legendary price tag. 

Highlights 

• GT350 tribute based on what is believed to be a 1966 San Jose K-Code Mustang Fastback  

• Older Wimbledon White repaint with blue “Le Mans” stripes 

• Replacement 289 cu-in (non K-Code) V8 with Shelby upgrades 

• Four-speed “top loader” manual transmission 

• The chassis number (6R09K162092) decodes as: 

  • 6 – Model year 1966 

  • R – San Jose, California, final assembly plant 

  • 09 – Two-door fastback 

  • K – 289 cubic inch V8 Hi-Performance engine 

  • 162092 – Plant sequential unit number 

Features 

• Shelby-style cast-aluminum Cragar five-spoke wheels 

• “Monte Carlo” spring tower reinforcement bar 

• Shelby valve covers and correct style cast oil pan 

• Reproduction Shelby tach and gauge pod 

• New windshield 

Known Imperfections 

• Paint patina with marks, dings, and dents 

• Some filler in the rear quarter panels and possibly other areas 

• Original blue color can be seen through paint cracking in the door jambs  

• Needs front-end alignment (not aligned or driven after front end components were replaced) 

• Slight lifter tick when cold 

• Rattle in dashboard 

• Small rectangular hole cut in the trunk pan by the frame rail 

• Clicking noise in the steering or front-end components 

• Brake and clutch pedals do not line up as well as they should 

Included 

• Shelby owner’s manuals 

• Car cover  

• Another hood that has been cut for a scoop that has been added more professionally than the one currently on the car 

 Ownership History 

The consignor reports, “We bought this car from one of our customers, sold it, and bought it from another customer after they received quotes to have the vehicle restored. We spent the past three years having it reconditioned and have receipts. The powertrain is period correct but was non original when we received the vehicle. The original engine was removed years ago, and the non-HI PO engine in the vehicle when we purchased it had a cracked block. We purchased another non-HI PO 289 with a fairly fresh build and had it installed. We also replaced the clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing. We added the better correct style Shelby sway and Monte Carlo bars, correct style Shelby cast aluminum oil pan, reproduction Shelby tach for the gauge pod, and thicker K code style harmonic balancer to complete the look. It has newer tires and wheels, and we had the front disc brakes, and front-end components including ball joints, tie rods, front springs, shocks, etc., installed. The interior is very nice, with the seats, carpeting, and headliner recently done. The windshield is also new. 

“It has the Shelby correct style gauge pod, Shelby owner's manuals, and top loader four-speed tranmission. The interior and exterior lights work, as do most of the gauges. It has history in several states on the East Coast and Montana from what we can tell. It was sold in the East Coast in the '70s as a Shelby, and the next owner realized it's not a true Shelby. The next owner believed the tags and other Shelby components were added after the fact to replicate the Shelby. It also appears to be heavily raced in the 1970s and warehouse stored for years after that.

“This is a Shelby tribute—it is NOT a real Shelby. It was crafted from a 1966 Mustang Fastback years ago and numbers do not match. The paint is full of patina and imperfections and is semi-professional. Minimally, a front-end alignment and general check over would go a long way, but after sitting for almost a year, it started right up and ran well. It is a non-original Shelby tribute and should be considered a project.”