Car Model History

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

1965–1970, 2016–2020

The Shelby GT350 is where the performance Mustang began. Carroll Shelby took the new 1965 fastback and turned it into a road-and-track car — stiffer suspension, a hotter 289, and a stripped, race-ready focus — creating the first Shelby Mustang and the small-block counterpart to the later big-block GT500. It ran through 1970 in the original Carroll Shelby era, softening from raw racer to grand tourer along the way, then went dormant for decades. Ford revived the name for 2016 on the S550 with something the originals never had: a naturally aspirated 5.2 flat-plane-crank V8 — the screaming 526-hp "Voodoo" — making the modern GT350 one of the most celebrated driver's Mustangs ever built. Horsepower for the 1965–1970 cars is SAE gross; the 2016–2020 cars are SAE net and are not directly comparable.

1965–1970, 2016–2020

Overview

The Shelby GT350 is where the performance Mustang began. Carroll Shelby took the new 1965 fastback and turned it into a road-and-track car — stiffer suspension, a hotter 289, and a stripped, race-ready focus — creating the first Shelby Mustang and the small-block counterpart to the later big-block GT500. It ran through 1970 in the original Carroll Shelby era, softening from raw racer to grand tourer along the way, then went dormant for decades. Ford revived the name for 2016 on the S550 with something the originals never had: a naturally aspirated 5.2 flat-plane-crank V8 — the screaming 526-hp "Voodoo" — making the modern GT350 one of the most celebrated driver's Mustangs ever built. Horsepower for the 1965–1970 cars is SAE gross; the 2016–2020 cars are SAE net and are not directly comparable.

Collectibility

Original 1965–1970 GT350s are top-tier vintage Shelby collectibles — the 1965 competition-flavored cars and the 1966 GT350H "Rent-a-Racer" lead on rarity and provenance, with SAAC registry documentation, originality, and matching numbers driving everything. Among the modern cars, the flat-plane 2016–2020 GT350 is already a benchmark enthusiast car, and the lighter, track-focused GT350R is the most prized; the well-sorted 2019 revision is the connoisseur's pick. Values are qualitative here by design; verify era-correct hardware and documentation before paying a premium.

Every production run

Years & eras

Years Engine HP Production Notable
1965–1966 289 Hi-Po V8 (high-rise intake, Holley 4-bbl) 306 562 built for 1965
  • All 1965–66 GT350s used the 289 Hi-Po reworked to 306 hp gross.
  • The 1966 GT350H "Rent-a-Racer" was a special run built for the Hertz rental fleet.
  • A Paxton supercharger was an available option on the 289 GT350 (1966–1968), raising output substantially.
1967–1968 289 V8 (1967); 302-4V V8 (1968, ~250 hp) 250 — —
1969–1970 351 Windsor V8 290 —
  • The 1969–70 GT350 moved up to the 351 Windsor V8 (290 hp gross).
  • Unsold 1969 Shelbys were re-VIN'd under federal supervision and sold as 1970 models (a documented 789 Shelbys were re-VIN'd), so 1969 and 1970 cars overlap.
  • 1970 was the final year of the original Carroll Shelby–era Mustang.
2016–2020 5.2 "Voodoo" flat-plane-crank DOHC V8 (naturally aspirated) 526 —
  • The Voodoo was Ford's first production flat-plane-crank V8, with a redline near 8,250 rpm.
  • Six-speed manual (Tremec TR-3160) only — no automatic was offered.
  • The GT350R is the rare, track-stripped halo of the pair, with standard carbon-fiber wheels.
  • 2020 was the final year for both the GT350 and GT350R.

1965–1966

The purest GT350s. Built from K-code Hi-Po fastbacks, the 289 was reworked with a high-rise intake and a large Holley four-barrel to make 306 hp gross — paired with a stiffer suspension, a relocated front geometry, and (on the earliest cars) no rear seat. The 1965 cars are the hard-edged competition-flavored originals; for 1966 the GT350 grew slightly more streetable, adding color choices, optional automatic, and the famous GT350H "Rent-a-Racer" cars built for Hertz.

1967–1968

As the Mustang grew for 1967, so did the GT350 — fiberglass nose and tail restyling moved it further toward grand-touring character alongside the new big-block GT500. For 1968 the GT350's standard engine became a 302-4V rated 250 hp gross, and the Shelby Mustangs moved to A.O. Smith assembly. The raw early-car edge gave way to a more refined, better-equipped machine.

1969–1970

The last of the original GT350s, on the largest first-generation body, with the longer fiberglass nose and five-scoop hood shared with the GT500. The GT350 now used a 351 Windsor V8 rated 290 hp gross. Sales had cooled, and unsold 1969 Shelbys were federally re-VIN'd and sold as 1970 models, so the two years overlap. 1970 closed the original Carroll Shelby era.

2016–2020

The revival, and a landmark in its own right. Built on the S550, the modern GT350 used the naturally aspirated 5.2 "Voodoo" V8 — Ford's first production flat-plane-crank V8 — spinning to roughly 8,250 rpm and making 526 hp, offered with a Tremec six-speed manual only. The track-stripped GT350R deleted weight (rear seats; A/C and stereo as standard-delete) and added carbon-fiber wheels. The 2019 revision (retuned aero, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, recalibrated MagneRide) is widely regarded as the most polished version. 2020 was the GT350 and GT350R's final year.

Worth knowing

Notable

Model years featuring the Shelby GT350

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — "Shelby Mustang"
  2. Wikipedia — "Ford Mustang (first generation)"
  3. Wikipedia — "Ford Mustang (sixth generation)"
  4. Classic Pony Cars — Shelby production figures
  5. Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) production records
  6. Hagerty

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