1965 Shelby GT350 R
Carroll Shelby’s racing answer to Chevrolet’s Corvette began with stripped K-code Mustangs shipped from Ford without side or rear windows, heaters, upholstery, or sound deadening. The resulting competition machine dominated SCCA B-Production racing from 1965 through 1967.
Painted Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue stripes, the R model received a distinctive fiberglass front apron and fender flares to accommodate 15×7-inch wheels. Plexiglass windows in aluminum frames replaced standard glass, while the interior gained a four-point roll cage, specialized instrument cluster, and riveted metal panels covering stripped areas. A long-range fuel tank of roughly 34 gallons extended racing range.
The 289-cubic-inch K-code engine received extensive modifications including a Cobra high-rise aluminum intake manifold, 715-cfm Holley four-barrel carburetor, and Cyclone Tri-Y headers. With an oil cooler managing temperatures, output reached approximately 350 horsepower. An aluminum-case Borg-Warner T-10M four-speed handled shifting duties.
Suspension pickup points were relocated, traction bars added, and a new differential installed. Weight reduction efforts brought the lightest competition cars down to roughly 2,550-2,750 pounds, enabling roughly mid-five-second 0-60 times depending on gearing and state of tune.
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