Back in late January 1965, the 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350, based on the Mustang Fastback, was revealed and caught the attention of car enthusiasts. Apart from its impressive looks, the GT350 featured significant suspensions upgrades, replacing the standard components with high-performance racing parts.
The most notable enhancements to the Shelby GT350 were made under the hood, with Shelby extensively modifying the standard Mustang’s Hi-Po 289 cubic-inch V-8 engine, which already delivered a respectable output of 271 horsepower.
Each GT350 engine underwent modifications such as replacing the stock cast-iron intake with a Cobra Hi-Rise manifold. Additionally, a Holley four-barrel 715-cfm carburetor and lightweight tubular Tri-Y exhaust headers were added. To prevent overheating, a larger radiator from the Ford Galaxy 500 was fitted in the GT350.
The 1965 Shelby GT350 had a power output of 306 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, enabling it to reach a top speed of 138 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds. Its power was transferred through a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed gearbox.
Although it was challenging to drive in regular traffic, the GT350 excelled on the racetrack, enhancing the Mustang’s reputation significantly.In 1965, 562 GT350s were manufactured, which included 34 GT350R competition models. These 1965 Shelby GT350s have gained almost legendary status and are highly sought after by collectors worldwide.
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