1965 GT350R build questions (re: 1966 cars)

[socalwrench]

There's something that's been bugging me for quite some time. I have searched for this, and only come up with some success. To my knowledge, there were 34 actual competition models (for the road course) for 1965- named the GT350R. What I can't figure out is what happened in 1966 for the GT350R? From what I can tell, the car was still for sale. And, I have a couple of sources that state the 1966 model was actually a left over 1965 model. Were the 1966 GT350R cars just left over from 1966? If so, did the competition model receive the side scoops and window delete panels like the 1965 model; or did anything change?

 

Thanks for the help. I figured this was the best place to ask.

[kahmann]

Good question

[John Canfield]

Rick Kopecs 'Shelby American Guide' shows 4 of the R-models that were built in '65 and carrying a 65 seral #, but not sold until the 66 model year; SFM5R533,34,36 and 38.

 

Hope this helps.

[socalwrench]

That makes me think that ALL the GT350Rs were 1965 cars, even though some weren't sold until 1966. Was this an order filing situation? Were any revisions made to the later GT350Rs?

[vapor08GT500]

All the R models were 65's, even though many were sold in 66, they were all completed in 65 as 65 models. There were no updates done to the ones sold in 66 like the regular 66 Shelbys. In fact the first 252 66 Shelbys had various 65 parts they finished using up parts on. I have seen several early 66's with rear seat delete, side exit exhaust etc...

 

Alex

[socalwrench]

Ah ha, so what you're saying is that ALL the GT350R cars were actually built in 1965 to 1965 specs., but some weren't sold until 1966. Thanks for the clarification.

 

One last question then: Did any of the GT350Rs sold in 1966 use a 1966 VIN or CSM number?

[John Canfield]

Sorta...kinda...well this is the world of old Shelby stuff.

Referencing the Shelby American World Registry, it specifically refers to R-models from the last batch and apparently they were built with tape stripes (as opposed to painted stripes that all earlier R-models and reg/ '65s had) as well as '66 style grilles. Two R-model chassis were used as a '67 GT600 mules. There was one of the last batch cars assigned a '66 serial number, 6S800, and sold as a chassis (for the stagggering amount of $200). I'm not trying to make sense of it, just relaying the facts as they have been presented. (Source: Shelby American World Registry; pg 412)

[socalwrench]

Well, that does answer another puzzling fact. I saw a GT350R with a shiny 1966 grille- claimed to be original- guess it was. The vinyl, aka taped, stripes doesn't surprise me either, but I thought it occured midway through the production cycle, a few months after the move to the LAX facility- no matter. I'm not even sure Shelby American kept track of which cars where built in which order.

 

Your post states a 1967 GT600 prototype. Was that a typo for a 1967 GT500?

 

According to the registry then, there was a 'batch' of cars sold with a 1966 CSM number- that's wild. Damn, I'd like to know how many. If I'm understanding this correctly, there technically were 1966 cars, according to their CSM number, even though they were identical to the 1965 GT350Rs except for the last 'batch' with the 66 grille and vinyl stripes. This is probably were some confusion starts from- people see the 66 grille, the famous window delete panels, and the 66 side scoops- and assume it's a 1966 R model, when it's actually a late 1965 R model; with the side scoops added on after SA built it.

[John Canfield]

I was a typo, it was a GT500 mule, not 600. There was only one of the last batch listed that was given a '66 serial number, and it wasn't even a completed car. There was even a '65 number that was re-assigned to a different non-R car, but it had been used a CSs driving school and refitted to R-model specs.

Confusing, ain't it?

[socalwrench]

LOL. Yes, it's very confusing. But, it's fun to figure out.

 

Alright, so only ONE GT350R chassis was given a 1966 CSM. And, then later SA reassigned a 1965 GT350 to a 1966 GT350 CSM that was used as a school car (with R specs.). Heh, school car, I mean training vehicle..... still sounds funny.

[cobrakidz]

The Shelby driving school car was at SAAC 27 in Fontana in 2002.

[socalwrench]

Ah, yes. Thanks for the picture. That was the car that was converted to R specs., but kept the standard side louvers and rear bumper.

 

[cobrakidz]

For a cool million you could own it............... https://mangomotorsllc.com/1965_GT350_Drv_Schl.html

[John Canfield]

There is a very nice article on the 'R' cars in the latest issue of Muscle Car Review this month.

[Fred Hilbert]

There's something that's been bugging me for quite some time. I have searched for this, and only come up with some success. To my knowledge, there were 34 actual competition models (for the road course) for 1965- named the GT350R. What I can't figure out is what happened in 1966 for the GT350R? From what I can tell, the car was still for sale. And, I have a couple of sources that state the 1966 model was actually a left over 1965 model. Were the 1966 GT350R cars just left over from 1966? If so, did the competition model receive the side scoops and window delete panels like the 1965 model; or did anything change?

 

Thanks for the help. I figured this was the best place to ask.

 

 

My name is Fred Hilbert, owner and racer of SFM5R094, the first 1965 GT-350 Competition (R-Model) sold in 1965 to public. I have been the owner for over 37 years. In answer to your question there was a total of 36 1965 R-Models made. They were made in three seprate runs in 1965, and the two factory cars 5R001 & 5R002. First run started with serial number 5R094 thru 5R108 (15 each), Second run started with serial number 5R209 thru 5R213 (5 each). Third and finale run started with serial number 5R527 thru 5R540 (14 each). (Total 36) There was no 1966 Competition models made. Of the 36 1965 Competition models made, 31 are accounted for and SAAC has a current list of these owners. Three are verified destroyed and location or status of two are unknown. If you have any further questions concerning GT350R's, contact me at Fred.Hilbert@gmail.com

[cobrakidz]

My name is Fred Hilbert, owner and racer of SFM5R094, the first 1965 GT-350 Competition (R-Model) sold in 1965 to public. I have been the owner for over 37 years. In answer to your question there was a total of 36 1965 R-Models made. They were made in three seprate runs in 1965, and the two factory cars 5R001 & 5R002. First run started with serial number 5R094 thru 5R108 (15 each), Second run started with serial number 5R209 thru 5R213 (5 each). Third and finale run started with serial number 5R527 thru 5R540 (14 each). (Total 36) There was no 1966 Competition models made. Of the 36 1965 Competition models made, 31 are accounted for and SAAC has a current list of these owners. Three are verified destroyed and location or status of two are unknown. If you have any further questions concerning GT350R's, contact me at Fred.Hilbert@gmail.com

 

 

Good info, thanks for posting.....

[racingdivision]

It is true that none of the R Models recieved a 6RXXX ID plate, but those built using the 66 platform did recieve the 66 side stripes, grill and where sans the alloy grill nose piece found only on the 65 Street and Race cars.

 

Michael Holmes, RPS

Racing Division INC