1965 Shelby GT350 “Supercharged”

The correct blower was reinstalled shortly before the auction, a wise decision on the seller’s part

by B. Mitchell Carlson

Unveiled by Carroll Shelby on January 27, 1965, the GT350 fastback had a fiberglass hood and functional scoop, and a clean-looking grille with a tri-color horse on the driver’s side. All 1965 Shelbys were Wimbledon White with a blue GT350 side stripe below the door. Dealer option Le Mans stripes were available, running down the center of the body.

The interior was black with a flat wood-rimmed wheel. A special instrument cluster in the center of the dash carried a large tach and oil pressure gauge.

A special aluminum intake increased the solid-lifter hi-po 289’s horsepower from 271 to 306. Exhaust from the Tri-Y headers exited ahead of the rear wheels. The suspension was extensively reworked, with a large front stabilizer bar, quick steering, lowered upper A-frames, Koni shocks, and traction bars. The front was stiffened with an export brace and Monte Carlo bar. In all, 50 improvements were listed.

Shelby delivered competition results. His...