Shelby GT350: A Carroll Shelby Legacy

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00:00 One of the classes at the 65th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance celebrates the 50th anniversary

00:06 of the Shelby GT350.

00:09 Now the GT350s here are all beautifully restored and are all very special, but let's take a

00:14 look at one with a remarkable history.

00:29 You're looking at a unique collaboration between Ford Motor Company and legendary Texas race

00:35 driver and car builder Carroll Shelby.

00:37 It is, of course, the Shelby GT350, launched 50 years ago this year.

00:44 Back in 1965, fewer than 600 GT350s were built, and this car is a unique survivor.

00:53 Originally sold by Galpin Ford here in Los Angeles, it spent 40 years stored in a shed

00:59 and has covered just 44,000 miles since new.

01:04 Now owned again by Galpin Ford, this GT350 is kept in running condition and has in recent

01:10 years been driven up from Los Angeles to the Monterey Peninsula for Pebble Beach Car Week.

01:16 The GT350 started life as semi-completed Mustangs shipped to Shelby's factory in California.

01:23 Here the engine output was boosted from 271 to 306 horsepower, and a close ratio transmission

01:30 from Shelby's Ford-powered Cobra sports car fitted, along with heavy-duty suspension parts

01:36 and a fiberglass hood.

01:38 The rear seat was removed to save weight, and all cars were painted Wimbledon white.

01:43 Though almost every GT350 you see today features the iconic blue Le Mans stripes up and over

01:49 the hood, roof and trunk, few cars actually left the Shelby factory with them.

01:54 The cars also left the factory rolling on ordinary steel wheels.

01:59 The Kreger alloys seen on this car were an option and were shipped separately for installation

02:03 by the dealer.

02:06 With the GT350, Carroll Shelby gave the original Mustang the muscle its sporty styling promised,

02:12 and helped Ford's hot-selling pony car compete against powerful new compacts emerging from

02:17 General Motors and Chrysler.

02:20 When tested by Motor Trend in 1965, the GT350's quick acceleration and good handling made

02:27 it one of America's best all-round driving cars.

02:31 And it set the blueprint for a dynasty of high-performance Mustangs that continues to

02:36 this day.

02:37 It's an amazing time capsule, this car.

02:40 A survivor, authentic, original.

02:44 Back in 1965, the Shelby GT350 was a truly memorable drive.

02:50 And 50 years later, it still is.

02:52 (music)

02:57 you