Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

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The Mustang name has been a source of desire for generations, sparking a passion for cars among enthusiasts worldwide. This car has gained a reputation for its powerful roar, tough appearance, and rebellious character, which has made it a popular choice in films and TV shows over the decades. 

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Even today, the current generation of Mustangs continues to record promising sales figures, and fans around the globe can't seem to get enough. However, the legendary Carol Shelby took the popular sports car and worked his magic to create a vehicle that truly embodies American muscle in the truest sense of the term, and we had the opportunity to spend some time with arguably one of the most iconic models: the Mustang Shelby GT350. 

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Shelby's tale has been extensively covered. It's a tale of an impoverished kid with a desire for speed, and it's the foundation for a thrilling film, but we're going to focus on the car in this one. The Mustang was introduced in 1964 at the New York World Fair, and it was an immediate hit. The first batch of Mustangs to arrive in showrooms consisted of 22,000 units, which were immediately sold out. 

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The brand anticipated success, but not at the level of public interest; it was a more affordable sports car that looked and sounded the part, and the public became obsessed. So much so that 400,000 units were sold in its first year of production, which greatly exceeded expectations. Side note: Over 9 million Mustangs have been sold globally, and it's partly thanks to this model's contribution since Ford wanted a Mustang that would offer more. 

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So, there was no better man for the job than the creator of the Cobra, Daytona, and GT40, Carol Shelby. Once Shelby got his hands on the Mustang, it didn’t take very long until the first iteration of his very own Mustang arrived. Less than a year after the Mustang's 1964 debut, Shelby created and sold the first GT350, offering a more refined and powerful option for Mustang enthusiasts with deeper pockets.

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The GT350's naturally aspirated V8 produced 228kW, and the roar was addictive. It was a racing car for the road, with an estimated 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds, helping to define Ford's racing pedigree. It was a more aggressively styled Mustang, featuring a functional bonnet scoop and racing lines, which made it stand out from the influx of new standard Mustangs. It was so daring that it became a popular target for police at the time. 

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Besides the Shelby-tampered engine, the steering was improved, and 15-inch wheels were added with improved tyres to ensure the GT350 would outperform the standard Mustang in every way. It also became a reasonably successful racing car on the track, and the famed Ken Miles spoke very highly of it. It won the Class-B championship for three years in a row after its debut. 

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The car pictured here is a 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350. One that has found its way to our shores and is tearing up our roads with American noise and savagery. Immediately upon entering the GT350, you get a sense that this car could have gotten you into some serious trouble at the time. Its Mustang-branded seats, although soft, provide a rather supportive structure, but once the key turns, you instantly realise what all the fuss was about. The overwhelming roar of the naturally aspirated V8 comes to life, leaving no smile upside down. It’s a truly glorious noise that is only improved by a throttle blip or three. The ride quality immediately reminds you that this car is 60 years old, with noticeable bumps and a ridged chassis that yearns for smooth, paved corners.

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This Shelby sports a 3-speed automatic gearbox, which allows you to make noise for longer within the rev range. Because of the low number of gears, the ratios are long, allowing you to sit in the optimum torque band for longer. Add a naturally aspirated V8 to the equation, and you find the power in the higher revs, but it does take a few seconds to get there. However, the noise it produces beneath you will provide entertainment at any speed.

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The brutish V8 has undergone a slight downtune, transforming it into a more sensible daily driver. As is, it produces 171kW and 300Nm, and considering its weight, it still moves like you can't believe for a 60-year-old. Despite its age, its brilliant body condition and impressive engine bay leave you in awe. If the Shelby GT350 is a car that posed on the posters in your room growing up, this very car is available at Vintage Cars South Africa for an impressive price of R1,350,000. Considering a new BMW M2 will set you back R300k more than this, this legend becomes that much more tempting. 

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I have spent my fair share of time in classic cars, but the Mustangs of old encapsulate the rawness of classic muscle cars. The vibration and shaking the motor produces, paired with the roar of the exhaust and the body, which leaves people's jaws on the floor, is an experience you can't find in modern sports cars. It’s a car that remains an icon time and time again throughout its existence, and it's an experience that I'll cherish for years to come.

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