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Another '65 GT350 Heading to Auction

Started by sfm5, January 11, 2022, 03:12:50 PM

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sfm5

65 GT350

98SVT - was 06GT

I want it - Randy needs some competition at the Convention drags.
I don't think the 2 piece rear wheels are period.
Performance Associates was the go to place for drag race Fords in the 60s (which is why SA chose them to build their GT350 drag cars). Les Ritchey campaigned his own A/FX Mustang and prepped all the SoCal cars for Downtown Motors, Mel Burns and Russ Davis. He ran his car under the Mel Burns banner until he was killed at Fontana in 66.
Previous owner 6S843 - GT350H & 68 GT500 Convert #135.
Mine: GT1 Mustang, 1998 SVT 32V, 1929 Model A Coupe, Wife's: 2004 Tbird
Member since 1975 - priceless

silverton_ford

5S242

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1965-FORD-SHELBY-GT350-251296

Description:
Lot #1395 - Shelby's GT350 was conceived for SCCA B-Production road racing, but it was also a potential "Corvette Killer" on the drag strip. In early 1965, Don McCain, Shelby's national sales director, conceived a drag-racing GT350, working with Ford racing expert Les Ritchey's Performance Associates. This 1965 Shelby GT350, SFM 5S242, was delivered to Mel Burns Ford in Long Beach and tagged as a showroom car and demonstrator at the urging of Shelby American and then sold on January 22, 1966, to San Jose racer Jerry Mendes, who immediately sent it to Performance Associates for the drag unit upgrades. Stamped "GT6" on the engine, transmission and rear end, 5S242 remained with Mendes until 2013. While eight GT350 drag cars were previously known, 5S242 is in fact the sixth drag racing Shelby GT350 built at Performance Associates. The parts and precision work added $1,494.63 to the GT350's cost; all original take-off items were returned to Mendes and remain with the car today. Mendes either drove or flat-towed the car to races at Sacramento, Fremont and Carlsbad, reaching 12.38 seconds at 110.83 mph and setting an NHRA class record. The car saw limited use after the NHRA combined Sport Stock and Super Stock classes for 1968, and it was stored at 6,455 miles from 1971 until 2013 when the consignor, a die-hard Shelby enthusiast and collector, purchased it directly from Mendes with the condition of keeping the car as raced. Never wet, at least since Mendes' purchase, 5S242 retains the original paint, plus factory overspray. While stored since 1971, Mendes kept the GT350 registered yearly, and the annual registration stickers and original CA title are included, plus the original invoices, documents and correspondence from Shelby, Mel Burns Ford and Performance Associates, along with the original owner's manual, racing trophies, awards and articles on GT350 drag cars in general - including a 2013-dated Mustang Monthly article on 5S242 specifically. Never restored, 5S242 is an amazing, four-wheeled document of Shelby history with showstopping, investment-grade originality, affirmed in Shelby circles by achievement of the SAAC-38 Premier Award and Concours Gold at SAAC-46.






I wish they started it in the video.  It sounds awesome!  Was lucky to get to see it this past summer at SAAC 46.

Bid to $500,000 last year, but didn't sell - https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0121-444956/1965-shelby-gt350-fastback/

gt350hr

    I too am wondering about the "modern" PS engineering rear wheels ( just like I have on 6S477) and the Coker REPRODUCTION rear tires that were not used in '65 and a concours gold award. The car IS a wonderful ''survivor" with TREMENDOUS documentation BUT with allot of owner ''updates". When Jerry brought it out of "hiding" twenty years ago it had Cragar "Super Trick" aluminum wheels and thirty year old ( not safe) Firestone slicks unlike what is on it now. It ran in the 13's at Sears Point when I raced against it. It did have more potential ( probably low 12's IF it would have has safer tires). On a modern track , it would probably break the aluminum T10 first , followed by the driver's side axle as they are still 28 spline. Remember too this was "sold" as a street car and Joe took it to immediately Les's shop for conversion , not "sold " as a "drag unit".
   If you want to see two "concours" drag unit restorations check out the ones at the Segerstrom Museum. THEY are correct in every detail including genuine Casler recap slicks like they were sold with.
      Randy - and this will be the unprecedented 48th year of continuous drag racing 6S477
Celebrating 46 years of drag racing 6S477 and no end in sight.

honker

In reply #1, 2nd pic, Ritchey with his rides from a magazine, is that a Tiger between the two boats ? road race car or 1/4 miler ?

Mike

gt350hr

   YES Mike that is a Tiger. It was raced by then magazine writer Gordon Chittenden. Yes Les was not partial to any brand.
    Randy
Celebrating 46 years of drag racing 6S477 and no end in sight.

SCJSTU

Was this car at the SAAC convention in Sonoma 2021?
1969 Shelby GT350 convertible 4 speed/ AC
Built Jan 1969 Red/Black

1967 S-Code 4 spd Black/Parchment
2004 Mustang Mach 1
1956 Ford F-100 Big Window 392 Hemi
1957 F-100 Fridge
1963 Falcon Ranchero
1961 Econoline PU
1961 Falcon 2 dr wagon
1970 Challenger R/T vert 4 speed
1970 Chevy Blazer 2WD

silverton_ford


98SVT - was 06GT

Quote from: gt350hr on January 11, 2022, 04:39:57 PMIf you want to see two "concours" drag unit restorations check out the ones at the Segerstrom Museum. THEY are correct in every detail including genuine Casler recap slicks like they were sold with.

Here is their 66 - is the other a 65?
Previous owner 6S843 - GT350H & 68 GT500 Convert #135.
Mine: GT1 Mustang, 1998 SVT 32V, 1929 Model A Coupe, Wife's: 2004 Tbird
Member since 1975 - priceless

sfm5

I really like cars with well executed day 2 mods made "in period", but did not realize they are eligible to earn SAAC concours gold? Is it because those changes were made by Performance Associates upon being purchased?
65 GT350

Bob Gaines

Quote from: sfm5 on January 11, 2022, 10:21:52 PM
I really like cars with well executed day 2 mods made "in period", but did not realize they are eligible to earn SAAC concours gold? Is it because those changes were made by Performance Associates upon being purchased?
http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=111.msg141955#msg141955  read post 169.  ;)
Bob Gaines,Shelby Enthusiast, Shelby Collector , Shelby Concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

sfm5

65 GT350

Karguy

I had the honor to see this car and spend some time with the owner at SAAC 46. The originality and documentation of its history was incredible! I hope he does really well with it at auction.
6S281, in my family from 1972-1983. Back home January 2017, will not leave again!

CharlesTurner

Quote from: sfm5 on January 11, 2022, 10:21:52 PM
I really like cars with well executed day 2 mods made "in period", but did not realize they are eligible to earn SAAC concours gold? Is it because those changes were made by Performance Associates upon being purchased?

We have a competition class that it was judged in, it wasn't entered in normal concours Div 1/2.
Charles Turner
MCA/SAAC Judge

sfm5

I was not aware of that - thanks Charles!
65 GT350