The 1965 Shelby GT350R is going back into production
thanks to handful of people who helped to build the original model.Officially
licensed by Ford and Shelby, the continuation cars will be built by the
Original Venice Crew which is comprised of former Shelby American employees
Peter Brock, Jim Marietta, and Ted Sutton.
The company will base the model off 1965 Mustangs
which are equipped with a 4.7-liter (289 cubic inch) V8 engine and a four-speed
Borg Warner transmission. This is the same basis for the Shelby GT350 but the
cars will incorporate several enhancements which were designed by Brock but
left out of the original model due to time constraints.
The updates include a new front valance, Plexiglas
windows, and a Ford-designed independent rear suspension. According to Brock,
"While these changes may look subtle, they combine with the new suspension
to dramatically change the character of the car.”
Production is slated to begin this fall and the
company says the model will be "authentic from its spartan race-bred
interior to the mechanicals and cosmetics." As a result, the cars will
feature fully reconditioned bodies, a period correct transmission, and an
engine sourced from the Carroll Shelby Engine Company.
Production will be limited to 36 units and the first
model will make several appearances around Monterey, California this week.
