1965 Shelby GT350 - Snake On A Plane

Did You Know?

• The first completed '65 GT350 street prototype was No. SFM5S003, the third GT350 built. First two units were competition prototypes.
• The two Shelby chassis-engineering mules were hardtops, not fastbacks.
• Aside from suspension modifications and a Cobra high-rise intake manifold, '65 GT350s weren't mechanically modified in any other way. Trunk-mounted batteries were installed in No. 001 through No. 324 plus all competition models.
• Shelby vehicle identification numbers changed beginning with car No. 31, which is when Shelby added "Street" or "Race" designations to the VINs.
• Approximately 100 cars were fitted with the 16-inch Cobra steering wheel. When it was discovered the 16-inch wheel interfered with the legs of some drivers, Shelby went to a 15-inch Cobra steering wheel.
• GT350 production began at Shelby's Venice, California facility and continued there for approximately the first 250 units. After that, production was moved to airplane hangars on Imperial Highway at the Los Angeles International Airport in March 1965.
• Not all '65 GT350s had side exit exhaust systems. Some states mandated rear valance exhaust systems. Some 14 units were built this way.
• Tach and oil pressure gauge pods were fiberglass on early cars, then ABS plastic later on.
• Fiberglass hoods varied throughout production. Originally, the all-fiberglass construction evolved to a steel frame with fiberglass skin.
• LeMans stripes were optional. Not all GT350s had them.
• Argent painted steel wheels were standard. Shelby Cragar wheels were optional.
• Standard rear axle ratio was 3.89:1. Anything else was dealer installed.