302ci OHV V8 Engine
Single 4-Barrel Holley Carburetor
250bhp at 6,000rpm
4-Speed Manual
Front Independent Suspension - Live Rear Axle
Front Disc - Rear Drum Brakes

*From the personal collection of Carroll Shelby
*Desirable Raven Black Paint
*3-Pedals and 4-speeds for ultimate control
*The ultimate in provenance and ownership history

THE SHELBY MUSTANG

Ford created a new class of car almost overnight with the introduction of the Mustang sports coupé part way through the 1964 model year, catching the rest of the US auto industry off guard. Brainchild of Lee Iacocca - subsequent savior of the Chrysler Corporation – the Mustang is one of the most remarkable automotive success stories of modern times and arguably the pinnacle of his long career with Ford. Aimed at the affluent young, for whom a car was as much a lifestyle statement as means of transport, the Mustang succeeded brilliantly, achieving sales in excess of a quarter million by the end of '64. This remarkable debut was followed by a staggering 524,791 sales in 1965, earning Ford a fortune.

Legendary Texan racing driver Carroll Shelby's team had been campaigning Ford's Mustang 'pony car' with considerable success in North America, winning the SCCA's B-Production title three years running in the mid-1960s. Capitalizing on his success, Shelby began manufacturing modified Mustangs, which were officially sanctioned and sold through selected Ford dealerships. The first Shelby Mustang - the GT350 - arrived in 1965 powered by a modified version of Ford's 289ci (4.7-liter) small-block V8 producing 306bhp, with options of a 340-360bhp unit in competition trim or 400bhp supercharged. A four-speed Borg-Warner manual gearbox was the stock transmission on early Shelby Mustangs, though a heavy-duty, three-speed automatic soon became available as an option.

The running gear was up-rated appropriately to cope with the GT350's increased performance, though outwardly there was little to distinguish Shelby's GT350 from the standard product apart from a pair of broad 'racing' stripes down the body centreline. On the open road there was, of course, no comparison.

When the factory introduced a 390ci 'big-block' V8 option on the Mustang for 1967, Shelby went one better, installing Ford's 428ci (7.0-liter) Cobra Jet V8 to create the GT500, one of the great, iconic musclecars of the 1960s. The Shelby Mustang continued to be based on the stock version, receiving the latter's styling changes and mechanical improvements while retaining its own distinctive special features until production ended in 1970.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

The 1968 GT350 offered is presented in the desirable Raven Black paint with a matching black interior. For this model year, Shelby and his team adopted the 302ci Windsor power plant, a stroked-out version of the small block with shortened connecting rods. In addition, a high rise aluminum intake manifold, larger Holley four-barrel carburetor, bigger valves, and a longer duration cam complete the performance upgrades made to the motor. As special products of Shelby American, these GT350 blocks are considered some of the strongest available. Furthermore, this Mustang utilizes a 4-speed manual to send its power to the rear wheels, making for a very engaging driving experience.

On January 5th, 1968, the Shelby was shipped to Theodore Robins Ford of Costa Mesa, California, where it was purchased by its original owner, Carl Trautman of Cypress, California. Most recently, the car has remained under the care of Carroll Shelby himself, as documented by the Shelby vehicle authenticity certificate. As such, this example remains well preserved with only minor signs of wear found inside and out. With such a unique provenance, this GT350 is a must have for any Shelby or Ford enthusiast.