Shelby GT350 MYSTERY

[DaveB]

When my wife got in mine the first time she was concerned that there were no mustang logos....she has a 16 cs/gt

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[Voodoo Velocity]

I agree, that I do like the Mustang DNA. After all, my very 1st ride was a 1970 Mach1 and this car was reminiscent of that 69-70 fastback styling. And I think this gen is the best looking modern Mustang. I soooo wanted a Shelby back then. Took me 40 years to achieve that goal. But I added a discreet pony in my strut tower covers. Still a 'stang with the soul of Shelby.

 

[BLUE DEVIL]

I see that Sunbeam Tiger Banner!!!!!! I learned to drive manual trans. and took my driver's test in one back in 1985.

 

[Spart]

I like that it has Mustang DNA.. the mustang logo is so iconic.. I have to say I miss seeing the running pony logo. Maybe I should add one to my grill?
oh no... here comes the backlash LOL.....

I have the Ford all-weather floor liners which have a running pony logo debossed in them. That enough to scratch the itch? ;)

The GT350 has "Ford" hub caps, but it doesn't say Ford anywhere else and it still doesn't say Mustang.

There's a rather large Ford logo in the fret of the front window.

 

[JAJ]

...There's a rather large Ford logo in the fret of the front window.

I've already been corrected on this. Also, it's on the UAW sticker on the rear quarter window behind the driver's head.

 

[Johnnydarkgt350]

I see that Sunbeam Tiger Banner!!!!!! I learned to drive manual trans. and took my driver's test in one back in 1985.

Yes I’m glad to say I’ve had two ; a1966 mark1a And a Forest green 1965 mark one . My 65 had a five bolt 289 and drove it to The track and a 90+ degree day and ran a 12:81 !

 

[BLUE DEVIL]

My pop had about 6 between 1976 & 1988. His first was a California car 1964/65 early car with factory vinyl dash and the short Cobra shifter. That car was tremendously highly optioned and obviously ordered for some road course action, car even had the mid 60's version Tiger embossed alum intake? We removed the orig. 260 and installed a mildly cammed Hipo 289. We never could get it to run cool enough to enjoy it after that. He had this one from 1975-88. My car was a 66 I bought in 1983. Came out of Pa. had 5k orig miles, seller had no idea what the car was worth. He bought it new for his kid who promptly lost his license, the car sat in his garage and was started and driven around the block a couple times a year. These cars are amazing! I got some pretty rare stuff left over..........

 

[Lorne34]

I agree, that I do like the Mustang DNA. After all, my very 1st ride was a 1970 Mach1 and this car was reminiscent of that 69-70 fastback styling. And I think this gen is the best looking modern Mustang. I soooo wanted a Shelby back then. Took me 40 years to achieve that goal. But I added a discreet pony in my strut tower covers. Still a 'stang with the soul of Shelby.

This is going on mine ASAP ... can I ask where you got these?
Nice Color by the way.. performance blue or velocity?

 

[Voodoo Velocity]

This is going on mine ASAP ... can I ask where you got these?
Nice Color by the way.. performance blue or velocity?

Velocity Blue

They are MMD covers I purchased from American Muscle - which no longer carries them.
But I saw this vendor on eBay that says he can do any year/strut. I also see he can do the pony, cobra, GT350 and various coyote options. Might be worth contacting him to assure he can provide the fit and logo you seek.

What I like about them is the cover the entire top of strut tower and simply pop on / off for access. The are notched for the cables on the pax side. However I do not think they will align with the various aftermarket Master Cylinder covers out there, due to their size.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-2020-...114258976839?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

 

[PP0001]

I'm not sure what you're asking, but let's put it this way: before the GT350, Shelby's didn't say "Ford" or "Mustang" on them anywhere - the closest they got was "SVT" on the hub caps. The GT350 has "Ford" hub caps, but it doesn't say Ford anywhere else and it still doesn't say Mustang. That's probably because, from a branding standpoint, it's not a Ford Mustang. It's a Ford Shelby GT350.

I am not sure how long you have been around Mustang and/or Shelby's but for you to suggest that a GT350 is not a Ford Mustang is an insult especially for those of us that grew up with the original cars that the Shelby Team built back in 1965 and 1966.

Not sure if you know who of Peter Brock, Jim Marietta, Ted Sutton, Chuck Cantwell, Klaus Arning and Ken Miles just to name a few but based on my discussions with Jim Marietta and having seen a great deal of communication from Chuck Cantwell whereby he spoke of extensively of designing and testing Carroll Shelby's Mustangs it was obvious that both Jim and Chuck and their team considered these great cars a Ford Mustang and not just a "Ford Shelby GT350" as you have suggested.

As far as a GT350 never saying "Mustang" on them anywhere I suggest that you take a look at any 1965 or 1966 Shelby American identification plate which is located at the top of the inner drivers side fender and you will see the SA identification plate clearly indicating on the top line of that plate "Mustang G.T. 350".

Even the very first 1965 GT350 Competition R model namely "5R002" (which by the way was a prototype) that cars identification plate clearly shows that being a " Mustang G.T. 350" and if you would like to view it just head over to the Mecum Indy 2020 website and look at lot # R266.

I have also attached a couple of pictures one of which is from a Road & Track magazine that I have from May 1965 whereby Shelby American provided a lot of pictures and information for this 6 page spread and of course always referred to this car as a Mustang GT-350.

 

[JAJ]

I am not sure how long you have been around Mustang and/or Shelby's but for you to suggest that a GT350 is not a Ford Mustang is an insult especially for those of us that grew up with the original cars that the Shelby Team built back in 1965 and 1966.

Not sure if you know who of Peter Brock, Jim Marietta, Ted Sutton, Chuck Cantwell, Klaus Arning and Ken Miles just to name a few but based on my discussions with Jim Marietta and having seen a great deal of communication from Chuck Cantwell whereby he spoke of extensively of designing and testing Carroll Shelby's Mustangs it was obvious that both Jim and Chuck and their team considered these great cars a Ford Mustang and not just a "Ford Shelby GT350" as you have suggested.

As far as a GT350 never saying "Mustang" on them anywhere I suggest that you take a look at any 1965 or 1966 Shelby American identification plate which is located at the top of the inner drivers side fender and you will see the SA identification plate clearly indicating on the top line of that plate "Mustang G.T. 350".

Even the very first 1965 GT350 Competition R model namely "5R002" (which by the way was a prototype) that cars identification plate clearly shows that being a " Mustang G.T. 350" and if you would like to view it just head over to the Mecum Indy 2020 website and look at lot # R266.

I have also attached a couple of pictures one of which is from a Road & Track magazine that I have from May 1965 whereby Shelby American provided a lot of pictures and information for this 6 page spread and of course always referred to this car as a Mustang GT-350.

Did you miss the words "from the branding standpoint"?

Here's the first Mustang in the family (backup lights? Who needs backup lights?):

My high school buddy (who I was pit crew for later) worked at John Hall's Car Craft in North Van. Saw Mustangs there too. Always wanted one with 500 horsepower. Got one now.

 

[PP0001]

Did you miss the words "from the branding standpoint"?

Here's the first Mustang in the family (backup lights? Who needs backup lights?):

My high school buddy (who I was pit crew for later) worked at John Hall's Car Craft in North Van. Saw Mustangs there too. Always wanted one with 500 horsepower. Got one now.

I saw your words "from a branding standpoint" but also saw your comments that nowhere did the name "Mustang" appear on any prior GT350 Shelby's which is obviously incorrect.

With respect to the "branding standpoint" it was very clear back in the day that it was always the intent for the Shelby American Team to keep the name "Mustang" as part of the GT350 model branding name.

Within the last year the "Original Venice Crew" which now consists of Pete Brock, Jim Marietta and Ted Sutton with those 3 original crew members now building 36 additional 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 Competition Models that they all helped assemble back in Venice in 1965 and of course they made it very clear that the "Mustang" name will be a part of these 36 new GT350 competition models as well.

 

[sox3]

As far as a GT350 never saying "Mustang" on them anywhere I suggest that you take a look at any 1965 or 1966 Shelby American identification plate which is located at the top of the inner drivers side fender and you will see the SA identification plate clearly indicating on the top line of that plate "Mustang G.T. 350".

Yep, there it is.

 

[JAJ]

I saw your words "from a branding standpoint" but also saw your comments that nowhere did the name "Mustang" appear on any prior GT350 Shelby's which is obviously incorrect.

With respect to the "branding standpoint" it was very clear back in the day that it was always the intent for the Shelby American Team to keep the name "Mustang" as part of the GT350 model branding name.

Within the last year the "Original Venice Crew" which now consists of Pete Brock, Jim Marietta and Ted Sutton with those 3 original crew members now building 36 additional 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 Competition Models that they all helped assemble back in Venice in 1965 and of course they made it very clear that the "Mustang" name will be a part of these 36 new GT350 competition models as well.

Ok - I stand corrected. What I meant to say was that the more recent Ford-manufactured Shelby's, like the S197 GT500, didn't come with Mustang badging.

 

[PP0001]

Ok - I stand corrected. What I meant to say was that the more recent Ford-manufactured Shelby's, like the S197 GT500, didn't come with Mustang badging.

Understood.

Can tell you that we might have crossed paths over the years as I enjoyed being at Westwood in the very early 70's a lot along with attending a lot of races at Mission at that same time and ran a 340 Duster in the mid 80's at Mission.

Also did a lot of auto crossing in the PNW during the 80's as well.

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