SHELBY MUSTANG

shelby mustang

Shelby Mustang Up To 1970

They were assembled between 1965 to 1967 and then 1969 to 1971 in Los Angeles, California and in 1968 in Ionia, Michigan.

Shelby American

It was a Pony car and a Muscle car on a Ford D2C platform
The Shelby Mustang is a high performance variant of the Ford Mustang which was built by Shelby from 1965 to 1968, and from 1969 to 1970 by Ford.

1st generation (1965–1972)

1965–1966 Shelby G.T.350
1965 Shelby Mustang G.T.350
1966 Shelby G.T.350

Shelby G.T.350

The Production was between 1965 and 1966 and was assembled in Los Angeles, California.
Its Body style was a:
1. 2-door fastback
2. 2-door convertible
3. 2-door hardtop
Its Engine was a 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor V8 2-barrel and it had a 3-speed automatic and 4-speed manual
Its Wheelbase was 108.0 in (2,743 mm) and its Length was 181.6 in (4,613 mm).

1965 G.T.350R

The 1965–1966 cars were the smallest and lightest of the GT 350 models.
These cars are often called “Cobras”.
Both models use the Cobra emblem, similar paint scheme, and the optional “Cobra” valve covers on many GT350s that were part of a marketing tie-in by Shelby, as well as one of his iconic symbols.

All 1965–66 cars featured the K-Code 271 hp (202 kW; 275 PS) 289 cu in (4.7 L), modified to produce 306 hp (228 kW; 310 PS).
Beginning as a stock Mustang with a 4-speed manual and 9″ live rear axle, the cars were shipped to Shelby American, where they received:
1. The high-riser manifolds
2. Tri-Y headers
3. Larger Ford Galaxie rear drum brakes with metallic-linings
4. Kelsey-Hayes front disc brakes.The 1965 G.T. 350 was not built for comfort or ease of driving.
There were 34 “G.T. 350R” race-spec cars built specifically for competition use under SCCA rules, and the model was the B-Production champion for three straight years.

The 1966 G.T. 350 had featured more comfort of casual drivers that included:
• Rear seats
• Optional colors
• An optional automatic transmission.
This trend for additional features continued in following years
The cars becoming progressively larger, heavier, and more comfortable

The 1969 G.T. 350s and 500s were largely styling modifications to a stock Mustang.
By 1969 Carroll Shelby was no longer involved in the Shelby GT program, and the design was done in-house by Ford.
The 1965 and 1966 G.T. 350s were delivered from Ford’s San Jose assembly plant in body in white form for modification by Carroll Shelby’s operation, originally in Venice Beach and later at Los Angeles International Airport.

1965

All 1965 G.T. 350s were painted Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue rocker stripes.
Very few GT350s were delivered to the dealer with the optional “Le Mans” (or “LeMans”) top stripes, which run the length of the entire car.
28% of the 562 1965 cars built had Le Mans stripes.
Dealers often added the stripes.
Today, it is difficult to find a GT 350 not so equipped.
Many ERT 1965 cars had the battery relocated to the trunk.
Over-rider traction bars are named so because of their design being on top of the leaf spring as opposed to underneath them.
There was only one transmission available, a 4-speed Borg-Warner T-10 manual.
The exhaust system in the 1965 G.T. 350 was a side-exit dual exhaust with glass-pack mufflers.
The 1965 G.T. 350 had:
A full size spare tire mounted in place of rear seats
Total 1965 model year production was 562 units.

1966 Shelby GT 350

For 1966, the GT 350 lost its Mustang tag and was marketed simply as the Shelby GT 350.
The new model year also saw the introduction of non-white colors, including blue, red, green, and black.
Other changes included:
1. Special rear quarter-panel windows replacing the factory extractor vents
2. Functional brake scoops on each side
3. Optional SelectShift 3-speed automatic
4. Optional Paxton supercharger
The battery was no longer relocated to the trunk for 1966, and the over-rider traction bars were discontinued.
The normal factory fold-down rear seat was optional.
While early 1965 cars had black engine blocks, 1966 and later cars had their engines painted the regular factory Ford dark blue.

The 1966 models came with a dual-exhaust exiting in the rear.
The first 252 GT 350s for 1966 began as 1965 Mustang K-Code Fastbacks.
Total production for 1966 was:
1,373 fastbacks,
This included two prototypes and four drag cars
The 252 early production models with Ford Mustang 1965 bodies
Total production for 1966 was 2,378 units.
A small number of the 1966 models were fitted from the factory with Paxton superchargers, but not the No-Spin limited slip differential; with an option price of $670 USD, the engine was rated at 440 hp (330 kW)

1966 Shelby G.T. 350 Hertz models

Most Hertz cars were black with gold LeMans stripes and rocker panel stripes
A few were white with blue stripes. T
The first 85 Hertz cars were available with:
Four-speed manual transmissions
Hertz advertised them as “Rent-a-Racer” cars.
When the Hertz cars were returned to Ford to be prepared for sale to the public, the high-performance parts were often “lost” (presumably at the manufacturer) before final sale.

1967 Shelby G.T. 350 / G.T. 500

For 1967, the G.T. 350 carried over the K-Code high performance 289 with a ‘COBRA’ aluminum hi-rise.
The G.T. 500 was added to the lineup
It was equipped with a “Ford Cobra” V8 (FE Series 428 cu.in.) engine with two 600 CFM Holly four-barrel carburetors sitting atop a mid-rise Aluminum intake manifold.
Documented plans to introduce a convertible mid-production year were shelved due to supply, production and financial problems
By October 1966, Ford took control over engineering and purchasing.
On August 18, 1967, a small staff were sent to Ionia.
The small staff of the newly formed Shelby Automotive, Inc. had substantially less involvement after this time.
Notable cars for 1967 include:
• The first G.T. 500 built.
• The only Shelby G.T. coupe built (“Little Red’), which was the precursor to the ’68 California Special
• The only Shelby GT 500 convertible built (in 1967)
One 1967 Fastback was updated with a G.T. 500 equipped with a:
427 FE GT40 racing engine producing 650 horsepower
It was known as the “Super Snake”
The car was capable of speeds over 150 mph; hitting 170 mph during a demonstration

1968

For 1968, the Cobra name was applied to both models, and they were now marketed as the Shelby Cobra GT 350 and the Shelby Cobra GT 500.
The solid lifter K-code engine was discontinued by Ford so Shelby used the hydraulic lifter 230 hp 302.
It produced 250 HP with the high rise intake but was not equipped with Shelby headers in order to make room for power steering.
The early 1968 GT500 used the Shelby installed 428 Police Interceptor with a single four barrel carburettor rated at 360 HP.
1967 Shelby G.T.350 & 1968 Cobra G.T.350
1967 Shelby G.T.350
1968 Shelby Cobra G.T.350
It was produced in 1967 and 1968, it was assembled in 1967 in Los Angeles, California and 1968 Ionia, Michigan
It was available in a 2-door fastback and a 2-door convertible.
Its Engine was 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor V8 with a 3-speed automatic and 4-speed manual transmission.
1968 convertible
The 1967 redesign made for a heavier Mustang, along with:
• A longer, fiberglass hood
• New front and rear facias.
• The separate high-beam headlamps in the grille
• Chrome front bumper sat below a mesh grille with the classic “Shelby G.T.350” logo in place
• The small hood scoop was there to deliver fresh air to the engine.
Shelby also included:
1. New, horizontal taillights
2. An integrated Kamm-type rear spoiler
3. Functional rear brake-cooling scoops adorned the rear quarter panels
4. Ten-spoke, fifteen-inch, cast-aluminum rims were the wheel choice with Goodyear white-lettered radials.
G.T.350 was available with:
1. Air conditioning
2. An AM/FM radio
3. The steering wheel was a wood-rimmed and satin-trimmed design with the classic Shelby logo in the center
4. A very classy-looking set of gauges
5. A 140-mph speedometer and a whopping 8,000-rpm tachometer
6. Smaller analog clock
7. Fuel level
8. Water temperature
9. Oil pressure gauges.
The G.T.350 came with:
• An iron-block, 289-cubic-inch (4.7-liter) V-8 rated at 306 horsepower and 329 lb-foot of torque.
• A single Holley four-barrel carburettor
• The true dual-exhaust with H-shaped crossover system came standard with Flowmasters and chrome exhaust tips
• Power was routed to the ground through a sturdy, four-speed manual transmission with a single, dry-disc clutch
• A three-speed automatic was made available as an option
• Rear-end ratios were 3.89-to-1 for the four-speed manual and 3.50-to-1 for the automatic
• Acceleration was impressive, with a 0-to-60 time of around seven seconds and a top speed of 140 mph
• Braking duties were handled by 11.3-inch discs up front and drums in the rear
• Power assist was standard.
• The front suspension consisted of unequal-length control arms
• Coil springs
• Adjustable tube arms,
• An anti-sway bar
• Out back was a live axle, with multi-leaf, semi-elliptical springs and tube shocks.
• The steering was a power-assisted recirculating ball design.
1967 Shelby G.T.500 & 1968 Cobra G.T.500
1967 Shelby G.T.500
1968 Shelby Cobra G.T.500

The GT 500 was produced between 1967 and 1968.
It was assembled in Los Angeles, California and in 1968 Ionia, Michigan.
It’s body styles were a:
2-door fastback
2-door convertible
It’s Engine was a:
427 cu in (7.0 L) 428 V8
A 427 cu in (7.0 L) 428 Cobra Jet V8
It’s Transmission was a 3-speed automatic and a 4-speed manual.
It’s Curb weight was a 1,470 kg (3,241 lb) It’s successor was the 1968 G.T.500KR
1968 convertible
The 1967 Shelby GT500 was the first model built in the Shelby GT500 range. It is based on the 1967 Mustang Fastback and is equipped with a 428cu (7.0L) V8. 2,048 were produced back in 1967.
Several body parts of the GT500 were made of fiberglass including the side intakes and bonnet.

1968 G.T.500KR

Convertible G.T.500KR
Beginning in April 1968, Ford began factory installing a version of the 428 engine known as the “Cobra Jet”.
The G.T. 500 was subsequently known as The Cobra G.T. 500 KR. T
The initials KR stood for “King of the Road.”
Ford rated the Cobra jet at 335 horsepower (250 kW), but with 440 foot-pounds of torque at 3400 RPM, the horsepower was considered significantly underreported.

1969–1970 GT 350 & GT 500

1969 Shelby GT 500 SportsRoof
The 1969 Shelby GT 500 was produced in 1969 to 1970.
It was assembled in Los Angeles, California
Its Body style was a:
2-door fastback
2-door convertible
It’s Engine was a:
351 cu in (5.8 L) Windsor V8 (GT 350)
A 428 cu in (7.0 L) 428 V8 (GT 500).
It’s Transmission was a:
3-speed automatic
A 4-speed manual
It’s Wheelbase was 108.0 in (2,743 mm
A Length of 191.0 in (4,851 mm).
The GTs lost their Cobra tag for 1969 and once again were marketed simply as Shelby GT 350 and Shelby GT 500.
The GT 350 and GT 500 for the 1969 model year received an extensive face lift
The body alone increasing in length by 4 inches (100 mm) with some reaching 10 inches (250 mm).
Ford was involved with design and style decisions, with Shelby having little input.
The GT 350 was now equipped with a 351 cubic-inch V8.
No production of 1970 Shelby GT 350 and 500 models was undertaken; however, unsold 1969 models were given 1970 vehicle identification numbers under FBI supervision

The 1970 models had two cosmetic changes:
• A front chin spoiler
• Two black hood stripes
The rest of the changes had to do with emissions.
GT500 had the carburetor modified and marked “ed” (edited) on tag.
The GT500 distributor was also changed to the 70 version. The GT350 had the distributor changed to a 70 version.
A total of 789 were re-VIN’d.

1971 Shelby Europa

Although production of Shelby GTs in the USA had ceased, a total of nine 1971 “Shelby Europa” GT-350 and GT-500 Mustangs were produced under license by Belgian dealer Claude Dubois for the European market.
7 Fastbacks (Ford used the term Sportsroof) and 2 convertibles were produced; of which 7 were M-code and 1 H-code cars.
One 429SCJ J-code Fastback was produced, though its whereabouts today are unknown.
Both convertibles and 1 fastback were modified to GT-500 with 351-HO.
All 1971 Shelby Europas were based on 1971 Mustang, none on 1972 Mustang.
Previously it was believed that 14 cars were produced, but the total production number of 9 cars was confirmed in 2014 by cross-check of Claude Dubois’ files and Ford Factory Mustang production data.

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