The initial batch of Shelby GT350s was based on the "fastback" Mustang and a warmed over 289 V8.
Contrary to popular belief, the Ford Mustang was never intended to be anything more than a hip set of wheels for a hip new generation.
Performance wasn't really part of the total equation until Ford decided it was going racing. By then the Mustang was just along for the ride.
What resulted was a string of GT 350 cars that began as raucous weekend warriors and track champions and ended as street-sensible tributes to the man who created them, Carroll Shelby.
But, it took some time to get there. Soon after the Mustang's April-1964 launch, Ford vice-president Lee Iacocca approached ex-racer and Cobra sports-car builder Carroll Shelby in a quest to put together a racing program for his newest and brightest sales star. Iacocca thought that track-proven performance was just the ticket to enhance the Mustang's reputation.
In short order, Shelby's California shop began the process of converting the relatively meek Mustang into a full-blown, race-ready stallion.
The Mustang's optional 289 cubic-inch motor was given an aluminum high-rise intake manifold complete with a big Holley carburetor, low-restriction chrome air cleaner, large tube-type exhaust headers and a special flow-through exhaust system that exited below the doors.
The much modified engine (producing 306 horsepower, 35 more than top-dog 289 that was available) was connected to a Borg-Warner heavy-duty four-speed manual transmission.
In back, the GT 350 used a Ford Fairlane rear axle along with a locking differential. The front and rear suspension was significantly beefed up, larger front disc and rear drum brakes added and 15-inch wheels replaced the Mustang's standard 14-inch rims. The combination of larger wheels and Goodyear Blue Streak tires filled the GT 350's fenderwells almost to the point of overflowing.
Visually, the GT 350 was easy to spot with its twin 10-inch wide racing stripes running the entire length of the all-new fastback body. There were also stripes along the rocker panels with 'GT 350' spelled out in block type. The stock hood was replaced with a fibreglass version held in place using hood pins.
Contrary to popular belief, the Ford Mustang was never intended to be anything more than a hip set of wheels for a hip new generation.
Performance wasn't really part of the total equation until Ford decided it was going racing. By then the Mustang was just along for the ride.
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What resulted was a string of GT 350 cars that began as raucous weekend warriors and track champions and ended as street-sensible tributes to the man who created them, Carroll Shelby.
But, it took some time to get there. Soon after the Mustang's April-1964 launch, Ford vice-president Lee Iacocca approached ex-racer and Cobra sports-car builder Carroll Shelby in a quest to put together a racing program for his newest and brightest sales star. Iacocca thought that track-proven performance was just the ticket to enhance the Mustang's reputation.
In short order, Shelby's California shop began the process of converting the relatively meek Mustang into a full-blown, race-ready stallion.
The Mustang's optional 289 cubic-inch motor was given an aluminum high-rise intake manifold complete with a big Holley carburetor, low-restriction chrome air cleaner, large tube-type exhaust headers and a special flow-through exhaust system that exited below the doors.
The much modified engine (producing 306 horsepower, 35 more than top-dog 289 that was available) was connected to a Borg-Warner heavy-duty four-speed manual transmission.
In back, the GT 350 used a Ford Fairlane rear axle along with a locking differential. The front and rear suspension was significantly beefed up, larger front disc and rear drum brakes added and 15-inch wheels replaced the Mustang's standard 14-inch rims. The combination of larger wheels and Goodyear Blue Streak tires filled the GT 350's fenderwells almost to the point of overflowing.
Visually, the GT 350 was easy to spot with its twin 10-inch wide racing stripes running the entire length of the all-new fastback body. There were also stripes along the rocker panels with 'GT 350' spelled out in block type. The stock hood was replaced with a fibreglass version held in place using hood pins.
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