Classic recollections: 1965 Ford Mustang G.T. 350
Any discussion of factory performance vehicles has to include the name Carroll Shelby. Few others have influenced the way manufacturers cultivate race-ready machines like this one-time chicken farmer from Texas.
Shelby's long-standing partnership with the Ford Motor Co. began in 1964 when company executives asked the up-and-coming designer to build a powerful performance version of their new sports car, the Mustang. The result was the G.T. 350, unveiled to the press for the first time on Jan. 27, 1965.
Because of the early race and street success earned by his muscled-up Mustang, Shelby's legacy of creating effective track-worthy street machines continues to this day. You can still walk down to your local Ford dealership and find modern-day examples of his four-wheeled work.
Back in 1965, Shelby customized 562 G.T. 350s for Ford. These models started off life as stock Wimbledon White Mustangs, built at the San Jose, Calif., assembly line. From there they were shipped to Shelby headquarters, located in a hanger at the Los Angeles International Airport, where the transformation began.
The factory 289-cubic-inch V-8 was given an aluminum intake manifold, a Holley carburetor and special Tri-Y tubular exhaust headers, bumping output from 271 to 305 horsepower. The brawny powerplant breathed easier thanks to a rumbling, side-exiting, dual-exhaust setup featuring glass-pack mufflers.
The suspension was stiffened with additional bracing, burlier sway bars and traction bars, while unique “Blue Dot” tires, rated for a blistering 130 mph, were installed at all four corners.
The austere interior included a fiberglass gauge pod in the center of the dash, aircraft-style lap belts and a three-spoke wood steering wheel. In place of a back seat, a fiberglass shelf was installed. Only one transmission was offered — a 4-speed Borg-Warner manual.
These special members of the vintage street elite were anything but cozy, but their straight-line and corner-carving potency remained unchallenged when drivers mashed the gas. Obviously, these original '65 Shelby Mustangs are prized by car collectors today.
Mike Nowak owns this pristine example. His was the 550th G.T. 350 built. The Elgin resident purchased the West-coast car in 1987 and has since had his rust-free Shelby fully restored following a long history of competitive racing among its previous three owners.
“The second owner, a Navy guy stationed in San Diego, heavily drag raced the car and the third drove it everyday and autocrossed it on the weekends,” Nowak said.
Nowak's first task was locating correct wheels and tires for his cruiser; it was still shod with rubber intended for hard-core drag strip use. However, the car's drag-racing days are done for now, as Nowak points his vintage racer down open highways and back roads, heading to cruise nights in South Barrington and Geneva.
“I've always loved the '65. It was the closest you could get to a true race car,” he said. Nowak also spends a good amount of time taking his ride to Shelby events in places like Dearborn, Mich., Indianapolis and the Road America course in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Despite its pedigree, this rugged Shelby has not slipped into posh, trailer-queen status when traveling to car shows. Nowak stays firmly behind the wheel for all those long cruising miles.
“In all my years of having this car, I've never owned a trailer,” he said. “I've always chosen to drive and will continue to do so.”