SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1966 Shelby GT350/GT350H => Topic started by: FL SAAC on October 03, 2025, 08:26:12 AM

Title: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: FL SAAC on October 03, 2025, 08:26:12 AM
Looking at historical printing from back in the days.

What seems to be a stock or not modified Shelby Hertz vehicle we come up with this.

Your thoughts on these "Black & Gold Bad Boys"?

Tested: 1966 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350-H
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15141429/1966-ford-shelby-mustang-gt350-h-road-test/
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350
Post by: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on October 03, 2025, 10:36:17 AM
That was one of the "prototypes" note the 15" Crager style wheels and the "Smooth" style interior seat upholstery, That's a 65 style, not 66 
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350
Post by: tesgt350 on October 03, 2025, 11:37:43 AM
The Green/Gold ones were Faster.
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350
Post by: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on October 03, 2025, 12:58:27 PM
On the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1973 we saw an indicated 126 MPH at a little over 6250 RPM's with E-70 Firestone Wide Ovals driving back from around the 6 miles marker one evening. We exceeded the requested speed limit by a "little" bit
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350
Post by: trotrof1 on October 03, 2025, 01:00:12 PM
R model spec heads no doubt.
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on October 03, 2025, 03:05:38 PM
stock except for set of Crane Valve springs
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: J_Speegle on October 03, 2025, 05:36:03 PM
Car & Drivers results appear to be pretty darn close to this example.

66 GT350 auto

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/21/6-031025173432-213271772.jpeg)


Slow compared with the average street cars friends and I were driving on the street at the time. in the early 70's
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: trotrof1 on October 03, 2025, 05:54:53 PM
Fuel mileage looks right also. Worth every penny.
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: Cobrask8 on October 03, 2025, 06:28:25 PM
Seems quite close to what it should run.

My 68 with 3.50 gears and a little bit of work on the 302 ran 14.5's.
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on October 04, 2025, 10:40:33 AM
6S1431 ran a bunch of times down the 1/4 mile at Capital Raceway in Crofton Maryland. mostly with a range of 14.1-14.2  91-92 MPH. Best ever was with a fresh tune-up and a cool evening 14.08 at 93.1 mph, never hit a 13 second ET

Oops I meant to say 15.1-15.2 with a best of 15.08, never hit a 14
Brain fart caused by old age
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: FL SAAC on October 04, 2025, 12:56:35 PM
Quote from: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on October 03, 2025, 10:36:17 AMThat was one of the "prototypes" note the 15" Crager style wheels and the "Smooth" style interior seat upholstery, That's a 65 style, not 66 



Steve you and I know that

Just sent a memo to car & driver


Tested: 1966 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350-H
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15141429/1966-ford-shelby-mustang-gt350-h-road-test/
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: crossboss on October 04, 2025, 06:17:59 PM
A stock automatic was in the 15's. A good running 4 speed, 'maybe' high 14s.
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on October 04, 2025, 06:41:25 PM
Back in the day a lot of magazines would fudge a couple tenths over what the manufacturer (or another magazine) published. Maybe it was the buy our mag we test harder or are better at wringing the max out of it. Then there was the fact that NO ONE ever tested a car right off the line. They were all tuned to the max before they got loaned out.
When Titus did the Hot Rod article on the Dodge Omni v GT350 article the car was well tuned but withing stock specs. After all the hate mail for beating the GT350 we took one to a COCOA Willow event so the haters could see it in action. CS did admit this one had a different tune with a 20 hp boost. He wanted to make sure it couldn't lose.
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: Prototype on October 06, 2025, 04:53:21 PM
SLOWER THAN A MANUAL. I know.....
I know..........
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: spiller on October 12, 2025, 06:47:26 AM
6.6 seconds 0-60 is very respectable for a car of the 60s. Only a couple of seconds slower than some of the exotics of the 2000s...

Does the weight figure seem a little higher? I thought they were sub 3000 lbs, or was that the 65?
Title: Re: How fast was a stock 1966 GT350H
Post by: crossboss on October 12, 2025, 03:04:13 PM
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on October 04, 2025, 06:41:25 PMBack in the day a lot of magazines would fudge a couple tenths over what the manufacturer (or another magazine) published. Maybe it was the buy our mag we test harder or are better at wringing the max out of it. Then there was the fact that NO ONE ever tested a car right off the line. They were all tuned to the max before they got loaned out.
When Titus did the Hot Rod article on the Dodge Omni v GT350 article the car was well tuned but withing stock specs. After all the hate mail for beating the GT350 we took one to a COCOA Willow event so the haters could see it in action. CS did admit this one had a different tune with a 20 hp boost. He wanted to make sure it couldn't lose.




Exactly! Most test cars were wringers. Just ask (or read about) Jim Wangers...