Earliest GT350 and GT350R build dates

[Johnnydarkgt350]

Having a GT350 or GT350R is amazing. As the last build is going to be recorded soon I feel it’s time for you early build Shelby GT350 and GT350R registered cars to be known for historical reasons; As an owner of three 1966 Shelby GT350’s the first cars known hold historical value (Especially the 1965 Shelby GT350’s) Some may be better than me at this important listing; any help at this would be welcomed ! Thanks Jim Wahl - Shelby GT350R- build date 5/26/2015.- Chassis PP 011 - Magnetic Metallic

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[Tomster]

I think harry has/ had a 15 track pack.

AFAIK, @PP0001 has the earliest S550 GT350 on this forum.

Yours is a '16 MY? I had a '16 built in '15 as well.

 

[Johnnydarkgt350]

I think harry has/ had a 15 track pack.

AFAIK, @PP0001 has the earliest S550 GT350 on this forum.

Yours is a '16 MY? I had a '16 built in '15 as well.

I’m hoping Harry or you , since you’re more experienced could help organize this great historical info ? Or give me some Direction how to organize all this great information we can put together for us and future owners.

 

[Tomster]

There is a registry at the top of the forum as a sticky. Who has what is listed there.

This is right up Harry's alley, so I'm sure he will chime in soon enough.

Here is the registry link

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/official-gt350-r-mustang-owners-registry.35461/

 

[Johnnydarkgt350]

I think harry has/ had a 15 track pack.

AFAIK, @PP0001 has the earliest S550 GT350 on this forum.

Yours is a '16 MY? I had a '16 built in '15 as well.

Also finding out how many are registered that were built before the “ famous 37” GT350R’s that Harry said he believed that they were built July 13th / 2015 ? Like Jay Leno’s

 

[Tomster]

Also finding out how many are registered that were built before the “ famous 37” GT350R’s that Harry said he believed that they were built July 13th / 2015 ? Like Jay Leno’s

Do you speak of a PP '15 R? Now that is a unicorn.

 

[Johnnydarkgt350]

Do you speak of a PP '15 R? Now that is a unicorn.

Seems to be unicorn; it’s vin is about 165 # less than Fords PP001 GT350R? I’m hoping that we all can discover these early build date cars . My past with the 65/66 Shelby’s makes me think some history repeats itself.

 

[Tomster]

as I'm sure you know, early prototype and tool trial vehicles are built before PP cars. Usually those don't survive. Most are destroyed some are preserved. There was an instance where the FPRS got a early model R that would have otherwise been destroyed. They fabricated it into an FP350S.

The tally doesn't really start until the PP cars. Good luck getting your hands on one.

The GT500s that were driven all over Detroit after TT production will all most likely suffer the same fate.... destruction.

Get ready for it..... wait for it, wait for it...... Harry will be along

 

[Johnnydarkgt350]

as I'm sure you know, early prototype and tool trial vehicles are built before PP cars. Usually those don't survive. Most are destroyed some are preserved. There was an instance where the FPRS got a early model R that would have otherwise been destroyed. They fabricated it into an FP350S.

The tally doesn't really start until the PP cars. Good luck getting your hands on one.

The GT500s that were driven all over Detroit after TT production will all most likely suffer the same fate.... destruction.

Get ready for it..... wait for it, wait for it...... Harry will be along

Any ideas how to get interest in our GT350 and GT350R Build date lists started ? Thanks Jim

 

[Tomster]

This is right up Harry's alley. He hasn't chimed in..... maybe i should text him to make sure he's ok.

 

[PP0001]

This is right up Harry's alley. He hasn't chimed in..... maybe i should text him to make sure he's ok.

Doing just fine Tom but with many other older and experienced enthusiasts on our forum aside from myself I wanted some of them to chime in with their thoughts, comments and feedback with respect to Jim's initial post after which time I thought that I would then add my 2 cents.

 

[Tomster]

older and experienced enthusiasts

Well all is well now. Here you are. So your thoughts? Is there in existence a PP '15 that falls outside the official numbers?

Also do you still have your '15 track pack?

 

[PP0001]

Well all is well now. Here you are. So your thoughts? Is there in existence a PP '15 that falls outside the official numbers?

Also do you still have your '15 track pack?

Based on numerous conversations with various individuals at FP over the last 5 years it is my understanding that Ford did not produce any Pre-Production 2015 GT350/R's whether it be TT, PP or MP cars.

In addition there is no physical evidence to substantiate any additional 2015 GT350/R's including any Pre-Production units that were built outside of the 137 cars which were assembled during various time lines in July, 2015.

Having said that the FRAP did build a number Pilot Production 2016 GT350/R's that actually preceded the 2015 GT350/R's by a couple of months with those cars being built at various times in May, 2015 with of course chassis number "PP001" being the very first GT350R built.

I found it somewhat interesting that many 2016 Pilot Production GT350/R's were assembled prior to the 2015 GT350/R's but that is exactly what happened.

Attached are a couple of friends of mine namely Frank and Shawn putting a nice shine on PP001.

As far as "F0077" it is well and alive but I will be taking it to the Mecum Auction in Indy next month and will see where the market is for a low mileage 2015 Track Pack car that is on the MSO.

 

[Johnnydarkgt350]

That 2015 track pack is stunning; its color combination sets it apart, it’s build date should be recorded I think; anyone run the MSRP on PP001 for us build date ? ( did Ford keep it so it’s never been owned ??) I can ask my friend at my old Ford Store if needed ; I also saw PP029 has info on his 6/02/2015 build GT350 TECH PKG on our forum ; if any early ones known with vin’s maybe I can get the MSRP as that shows the build date . Thanks Harry and Tom for your sharing/ experience and important research.

 

[PP0001]

That 2015 track pack is stunning; its color combination sets it apart, it’s build date should be recorded I think; anyone run the MSRP on PP001 for us build date ? ( did Ford keep it so it’s never been owned ??) I can ask my friend at my old Ford Store if needed ; I also saw PP029 has info on his 6/02/2015 build GT350 TECH PKG on our forum ; if any early ones known with vin’s maybe I can get the MSRP as that shows the build date . Thanks Harry and Tom for your sharing/ experience and important research.

Jim, thanks for posting both your car namely "PP011" along with "PP029" and found it interesting how your Certificate Of Authenticity did not mention that your car was 1 of 526 R models whereas the Certificate Of Authenticity for PP029 listed the 5643 regular GT350's built for the 2016 MY.

Prior to the 2011 model year I was trying to understand the various Pre-Production stages and sequences for Mustang and it wasn't until the launch of the 2012 Boss 302 back in February, 2011 after which time I determined that Ford had 4 Pre-Production stages and levels of vehicles for Mustang.

Between telephone conversations with various people at the FRAP such as Ralph Arning (Klaus Arning's son) and Robert Nagy from DST along with a meeting with FR at Dearborn many years ago I was able to determine that the following Pre-Production stages and levels were involved prior to regular production Mustangs. Along the way I also had numerous meetings with many other Ford personnel which helped me understand the entire pre-production build process.

VP - Variable Prototype (never comes with a VIN and typically there are just one or two produced prior to being destroyed until strict Ford supervision with many of them destroyed in Texas)

TT- Tooling Tryouts (Typically these vehicles are not given to the press and are driven internally by Ford execs and have only seen one of these cars being sold to the public namely "TT0001" which was a 2012 Boss 302 and now "TT005" which is a 2020 GT350R in Grabber Lime and presently for sale)

PP - Pilot Production (Most of these cars are static display vehicles and attend a lot of auto shows in North America)

MP - Mass Production (Many of these vehicles reach the press level and are also driven by numerous Ford employees for a good period of time)

Back in the Fall of 2010 when the early pre-production Boss 302's were launched such as "TT0001" in September and then in October of that same year the "PP" cars were launched and then in December the "MP" cars were launched.

In total for the first year launch of the 2012 Boss 302 the FRAP produced 12 TT's, 12 PP's and 44 MP's for a total of 68 Pre-Productions cars whereas with the launch of the 2016 GT350/R in May and June of 2015 the FRAP produced 95 Pre-Production units.

I was very fortunate to obtain Window Stickers for all TT, PP and MP 2012 Boss 302 cars and of course they tell a great deal about each Pre-Production vehicle.

Of the 95 Pre-Production 2016 GT350/R's I do not recall any of them having chassis numbers that started with TT or MP as was the case with the 2012 Boss 302 cars and suggest that Ford lumped all 95 cars under the "PP" chassis numbers.

Keep in mind that most but not all Pre-Production vehicles are destroyed but obviously some do make it out to the general public as in your case and the 3 cars that I previously owned.

During a discussion with the owner a local towing company from the Detroit area the owner explained to me that on some occasions he would pick up a TT or PP car and would take it to a remote location outside of Detroit after which time the local Fire Departments and/or Emergency Response Teams would be able to set one of these vehicles on fire or use the Jaws Of Life in order to practice emergency response tactics on one of these cool vehicles.

Obviously this was all done under strict supervision from Ford and once these exercises were complete these cars were then towed away and destroyed again under supervision from Ford.

Are some of the Pre-Production vehicles quite collectible, desirable and worth more than a regular model, I would say Yes in some cases but too many factors to list at this time.

Case in point when PP0001 (2012 Boss 302 LS) sold at auction in Texas in the Fall of 2017 it sold for $80,300 but have also seen the flip side where other PP cars were sold at less than a regular production model.

In the case of the early 2016 Pilot Production GT350/R's as in your case I suggest that time will tell how they hold up from a desirable and value standpoint but aside from all that they are just a tremendous car to have and drive therefore congratulations on owning "PP011".

I have attached 2 different Window Stickers for PP0001 one of which was originally issued for the car back in 2010 and then a subsequent WS for when the car was sold to me and as you can see there were a few significant differences with respect to these cars not to be sold to the public at least in the case of this vehicle.

Good luck with your cool vehicle and hope that you get to enjoy it on the road as I did with my 3 PP cars!

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