1966 Shelby GT350 SFM6S744
Highly Documented Show Winning Shelby GT350

Description & photos prepared by Troy Kruger  – April 3, 2012

#744 is finished in its factory Candy Apple Red with White Lemans Stripes configuration.  This car maintains several rare and desirable original early features including an all steel hood, over-ride traction bars, open lettered valve covers, 10 spoke wheels (original wheels included with the car, but has American Racing wheels presently installed), and more.  Most importantly, #744 retains its original drivetrain including its VIN stamped rebuilt engine, T-10 Borg Warner transmission, rear end, bellhousing and more.  The current odometer reading is 94,480 miles.

#744 retains all the proper and correct Shelby parts in proper working order including new rear ¼ windows, original engine compartment bracing (cowl/export bracing and Monte Carlo bar, heavy duty front sway bar, rear traction bars (early style over-rides), Koni shocks, restored original all steel hood, original lower brake scoops/cooling ductwork, restored original Cobra 9000 RPM tack (logo on bottom), date coded original Ray Brown competition belts, and more.
Extensive documentation goes with the car including the original owner’s manual, original key set, build sheet (very rare), Shelby American Invoice, previous owner titles, bills of sale, restoration records, and more.  #744 is listed with a photo in the Shelby World Registry and is fully documented since new.

Authenticity: Genuine ’66 Shelby GT350 production serial # 744. The full Shelby VIN is stamped into the factory original embossed ID plate located on the left inner fender apron. The Shelby VIN is clearly stamped into the right inner fender apron by the shock tower. The full Ford VIN is stamped into the left front inner fender apron beneath the Shelby ID plate, and is visible for inspection. The right passenger side apron VIN is located beneath the fender, and has been verified by the most current owner (when fenders were removed for repaint in 2005).  

History: Produced at Ford’s San Jose, CA assembly plant in December of 1965 and shipped to Shelby American in Los Angeles for completion. Completed by Shelby and shipped January 24, 1966 to Sexton ford Sales, Inc. (Moline, IL).

Purchased by Francis Bolton (dealer) of Cedar Rapids, IA on 7-18-66, and then sold to Donald Vonlienan on 10-3-66 who was the first registered owner.  John E. Mangold of Cedar Rapids purchased it on 3-17-67 with 85K miles (as reported in the registry, but may be listed as an error as it is difficult to believe 85K miles in 17 months) and rebuilt the engine in '78 and restored the car in  '88.  Jay Snyder (AZ) purchased it in Feb, 1990 with just over 90K on the odometer, and then Ned J. Stageberg (AZ) purchased it on 6-30-95 after it had been driven only 1 mile (as evidenced by title paperwork) by Stageberg in 5 years of ownership.  Tim Smithwick (KS) owned it from 2000-2002, and it has found its home in MN since then.  The current mileage of 94,xxx is believed to be original.

Body : This is a very intact and complete example that has excellent fit and finish beyond factory standards.  There is no evidence of accident damage. An original and rare all steel hood is in place, and has been restored at a cost of $2000. The underside of the hood is finished in correct semi gloss black with red overspray on the edges per located records indicating this was the original preparation.  

Both front fenders have been replaced and appear excellent in fit and finish with excellent body panel gap/alignment.  Both doors are rust free and in excellent condition (originality cannot be confirmed).  The latch striker pins on the left and right door jambs are date stamped  “12-65”.  The fit/finish of the rear quarter panels are also excellent.  There are no date codes visible, and evidence also suggests the both rear quarter panels were replaced at some time.  There is no evidence of rust or lower patch panel repair.  Inner rear quarters as visible from the trunk are clean and are covered with light sound deadening material with a pale red finish.  The trunk is not in detailed condition consistent with the exterior, but is without signs of rust.  It has the factory style barrier over the gas tank and a rubber backed trunk mat. The spare is an original 10 Spoke Shelby wheel with a black wall radial tire.  The jack and lug wrench have been restored and appear new.   Tail light extensions and fender/valence seams/gaps fit are excellent.  There are no bondo repairs besides basic prep for paint.

The floor pans and front/rear frame rails are factory original with no repairs evident. There are slight jacking dents and surface corrosion in various areas, but there is no rust through evident.  The underside of this Shelby is in driving condition and has not been detailed.  Red oxide primer is visible in some areas as well.

Headlights have been replaced with aftermarket GE sealed beams.  The GT350 fuel cap and bullet style rearview mirror believed to be original, but cannot confirm.  The front bumper was replaced with NOS Ford (original bumper goes with the car).  The rear GT350 emblem and front running pony grill emblem are reproductions.

#744 has had a recent complete professional paint job in 2005.  Preparation started with a strip down to bare metal with complete hood, trunk, doors, fenders disassembly and refinishing (photo documentation goes with the car).  Finished in correct factory colors with a better than new, no expense spared clear coat finish, which cost in excess of $16,000 to the owner in 2005.  The car has been garaged since arriving in MN and rarely driven – only to shows.  There is a small scratch/ding on the passenger side tail light extension area that is only noticeable on close examination.  The paint is buffed and glossy.  It is far better than new, and is in professional show winning condition.

All glass is original, except the windshield that was replaced with a correct Carlite unit (original windshield has been retained by owner).  All the windows and doors have had weather stripping, seals, bumpers, etc. replaced with new.

Engine Compartment: The original export brace and cowl mounting bracket are intact, along with the “Monte Carlo” stiffening bar. The upper shock absorber brackets have the factory welded reinforcement washers in place.

The radiator part # C4ZE / G2 with partial date code visible (W-MO 4)  with unique metal shroud attached. Fan pulley part number C5AE 1082-A clearly present.  A reproduction Autolite battery, along with all the finest reproduction hoses, cables, wires, bolts and other engine compartment details make the show winning underhood present very well.  

Engine e: #744 retains the original “matching number” 289 CID High Performance engine installed at the factory. The Ford VIN is stamped into the front right skirt of the engine block. This number matches the VIN stampings on the body inner fender aprons. The engine assembly date stamping code is “5M15T”, indicating that it was assembled on December 15, 1965.

An original 715 Holley carburetor, dated “581” (1st week of August, 1965) , was restored to concours condition by Pony Carburetors.   The intake manifold is the original aluminum High-Rise with large “Cobra” lettering. It was bead blasted but now showing some slight staining at the base.  The valve covers are the original Cobra aluminum “open letter” style that have been professionally restored with polished fins/letters. The external cylinder head codes are “19”, indicating that they are factory high performance units. The fuel pump is the early canister style but believed to be a non original replacement.

The distributor is Motorcraft logo with C5OF 12131-B E engineering number, indicating a dual point centrifugal advance unit. The correct early water pump code is clearly visible (C5AE-8505-0).  The alternator has been replaced with a proper HiPo reproduction unit. The large diameter steel alternator pulley is intact with part number C5AE....

The oil pan is an original “Cobra” lettered aluminum 7 ½ quart capacity unit with polished letters/fins.

Driveline: A factory aluminum bellhousing is in place (C5OA-6394-A), along with the proper clutch linkage. The clutch was replaced, flywheel resurfaced, and shifter assembly gone through recently.  The Borg Warner T-10 transmission (T10M-1, W.G. DIV with date code 8-9-65 numbers.  Tailhousing stamping 8-25-65), and equipped with the factory Ford shifter. The original heavy duty driveshaft and nine inch axle housing are in place. The differential case is also original and has factory correct 3.89:1 rear axle gearing.

Steering/Suspension/Brakes/Exhaust:  Factory FoMoCo stamped quick ratio steering box with HCC-AX / 5M07B identification tag, fitted with Shelby unique elongated pitman and idler arms. One inch front sway bar, Koni shocks all around, factory over-ride traction bars.
The upper control arms have been repositioned lower like Shelby did on the 1965 and first 252 1966 GT350 cars (Shelby Drop) for improved suspension geometry.

Front manual Kelsey-Hayes disc brakes with large reservoir master cylinder and factory proportioning valve intact. Shelby unique 2 ½ inch rear lining / drums.
Newer powder coated full exhaust including stock style Tri-Y headers, H-Pipe, Mufflers (aluminzed) and pipes.  

Wheels/tires: Five matching factory original Shelby 10 spoke wheels and center caps are included with the car.  The car is presently fitted with 14x6 American Racing wheels. The tires are at least 10 years old radial Goodyear Eagle ST P235/60R14 with white lettering.

Interior: The upholstery, weather stripping and headliner are in excellent condition.  The carpet and upholstery was replaced by a previous owner in 1995, and retain a show quality condition.  The remainder of the interior is also in show quality condition including unpitted chrome throughout – including the original vent window assemblies (rarely found without pitting/rust).  The rear folding seat assembly hardware/chrome is in excellent condition as are the original interior panels.  The instrument cluster bezel was replaced with a NOS unit with new reproduction lenses and wiring feed.  The original bezel has been retained and goes with the car.  The original gauges have been cleaned and needles repainted.  The radio has been replaced with a working, corrosion free original unit.  The glove box assembly has been replaced with a new reproduction unit, along with the running horse logo.  Carroll Shelby signed the original glove box door (photo of him with owner signing the door is included).  There are no dents or damage to interior doors.  There is a shoe scuff mark on the driver’s side lower door that could be easily touched up with paint.  The door sills, sill plate tags, and kick panels are also replaced with reproduction units.  

The rear seatbelts in the car are  in show condition and properly date coded (B5A JR, 7 65).  The front seatbelts are original chrome hardware Ray Brown with original 1965 date coded tags. New leathers were obtained and installed for show appearance.

The original Cobra logo 9000 RPM tachometer is mounted on top of the dash and has been restored/recalibrated to perfect functionality. The factory faux wood rimmed steering wheel was professionally restored with a real wood rim.  It is installed with the proper GT350 enter cap and properly functioning horn assembly. The Ford factory shift handle with reverse lock out is in place with a new reproduction Ford accessory floor plate.

Driving Characteristics: This GT350 is a well sorted out performing driver.  There are no rattles, clunking noises, odors, creaks, etc when driving the car in city/highway conditions.  The car is very solid feeling with accurate steering, braking and acceleration response.  The clutch and shifter work smoothly with no chatter.  The doors/windows seal well to provide a comfortable cabin at speed.  #744 drives out very well and is a very comfortable Shelby at all speeds tested up to 75 MPH and 4500 RPM.  The car does not wander, drift, bump steer or vibrate excessively.  Some minor vibration was noted at 65 MPH, but is hardly worth noting.  The wheels have no weights and the tires are over 10 years old, so that may have something to do with it.  All lights, blinkers, horn, gauges work.

The valve train has been recently adjusted and sounds healthy.  The restored 715 Holley carburetor has performed flawlessly, needing no adjustments since installing it 10 years ago according to the recent owner.  The car idles smoothly and the exhaust has a proper tone without being too loud inside the cabin.

Final Observations: This GT350 presents a good opportunity for the enthusiast who is either tired of trailering their car to shows or who is interested in getting the proper GT350 the first time.  The important integrity items are all intact: Original Shelby VIN tag, all aprons bearing the factory stamped VIN numbers intact, VIN stamped original engine, and extensive documentation.

This GT350 is stunning inside and out that will make any owner proud to display and drive.  These cars were made to be driven, and this car is an excellent example of a show and go Shelby, which is becoming increasingly hard to find.  The underside remains in driving condition so that the owner need not worry about getting dirt or road grime on something while fussing with a trailer.  However, if that is what you want, it would take very little effort to detail this car to a trailer queen condition.

Price: SOLD

www.customshowboards.com

To view a video of #744 shot on 4-1-12 click here

To view detailed photos of #744 shot on 4-1-12 click here

To view detailed under car shots of #744 taken on 4-3-12 click here

To view body shop photo scans (2005) click here