Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 – Supercharged – Signed By Carroll Shelby

Furlonger are delighted to offer this exceptionally well presented 1965 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350, signed by Carroll Shelby. Mustang SFM 6S240 is 1 of 252 (serial #240) 1965 ‘carry over’ cars and has a correct date coded Paxton Supercharger for a dealer fitment. This Mustang wears the striking colour combination of Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue stripes over a Black trim interior, the same specification it left the Ford assembly plant in. Further standard equipment included special alloy wheels and rear seats, totalling the original invoice (present) to just under $4,000. The car was also equipped with a 298ci high performance V8 (4.7 litre) engine, 4-speed transmission and 9-inch locking differential.

Mustang SFM 6S240 was built at Ford assembly in San Jose, California in 1965, and sent to Shelby American for completion shortly after. The car was supplied to its first owner via S&C Motors in San Francisco, a Mr. J. D. Taylor who took delivery in January 1966. The Mustang was subsequently sold to Randy Gillis, also a resident of California, who reportedly drag raced the car, achieving a national competition record in the process. Naturally, the car passed through other California-based owners, one of whom decided to have the car repainted in black with stripes. The car remained in California until around 2000 before making its way to Pennsylvania and then Ohio in 2004.

In 2004 a U.K. based Mustang enthusiast contacted Mr Alan Faulkner-Stevens of Dragon Wheels Ltd, a renowned marque specialist and ex-Aston Martin engineer, expressing his interest in purchasing a GT350. Mr Faulkner-Stevens contacted Mr Bill Collins, also a highly experienced and reputable Mustang specialist, based in Harrisburg, USA to search for a car. By September Mr Collins had been offered this GT350 which was owned by a close friend of his. Shelby GT350 serial #240 is a very desirable ‘’leftover 65 edition’’ or ‘’carry over’’ example that features a dealer fitted Paxton Supercharger (approximately 1 of just 20) and retains a traceable history from new. Furthermore, the car retained all the factory fitted components after nearly 40 years which is often not the case!

As this enquiry progressed, Mr B. Collins conducted a meticulous inspection of #240 on behalf of the interested party, detailing its original configuration, history and authenticity – present within the car’s history file. His inspection report detailed the following: Evidenced by its Ford ‘’5R09K’’ serial number, this confirms that #240 is a genuine Shelby GT350. This has also been authenticated from Ford and Shelby factory records presently in the custody of the Shelby American Automobile club (SAAC). Mr Collins summarises his inspection with recommendation to purchase the vehicle based on its originality, provenance, highly desirable production position and optional equipment. Once the car had arrived in the U.K. Mr Faulkner-Stevens made a formal application to H.M. Customs and Excise for the reclassification of the Shelby GT350 to an historic vehicle. The application contains 18 pages including a detailed cover letter about the Mustang, its originality and provenance and includes the correspondence with the parties in the USA. Also present is a letter from Paul Foote, Shelby Mustang Co-ordinator for the Mustang Owners Club of Great Britain, confirming the rarity of this car and why it’s of such historical importance in the classic car world.

The current owner instructed Dragon Wheels Ltd to carry out a comprehensive recommissioning, returning the car from Black to its factory specification of Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue stripes. This process has been extremely well documented with hundreds of photographs which are filed in two large folders present with the cars documentation. The underside of the GT350 was recoated as per factory specification – the underside of the GT350 varied depending on where they were assembled. Since completion of restoration works the Mustang has been driven conscientiously and cherished by its keeper who has occasionally taken the car to shows and events.

Now offered for sale, this presents an excellent opportunity to purchase one of the world’s most distinguished and recognised historic motorcars with an exceptional level of originality, wonderful provenance and traceable history from new. Being one of a mere 252 ‘’carry over’’ cars, 1 of approximately 20 equipped with a correct date coded Paxton Supercharger for a dealer fitment, and likely one of a handful signed and revisited by Carroll Shelby, this remarkable Mustang is considered one of, if not the finest examples in Europe.