1966 Shelby GT350 Convertible
Carroll Shelby’s experimental program produced just four GT350 convertibles in 1966, making them among the rarest American performance cars ever built.
These were the only convertibles in the first-generation GT350 lineup and marked Shelby’s exploration into open-top performance before the model transitioned to its 1967 redesign.
Each convertible was finished in a different color (Ivy Green, Red, Sapphire Blue, and Springtime Yellow) and equipped with features not found on other 1965-66 Shelbys, including factory air conditioning.
Two cars were fitted with automatic transmissions and two with four-speed manual gearboxes. Because of the folding top mechanism, the quarter-panel brake-cooling scoops were non-functional.
Power came from the same 289-cubic-inch high-performance V8 used in the fastback GT350, maintaining Shelby’s performance standards despite the added structural weight of the convertible body. These cars were built as evaluation vehicles for a potential 1967½ GT350 convertible that never entered production.
Documentation uncovered in 1987 confirmed the total production of four, ending years of speculation among enthusiasts. Today, only one is known to retain its original engine, and all four are considered crown jewels in the Shelby collector world.
Source
