1965 Shelby GT350
- Engine
- 289 cu in (approx. 4.7L) V8, roughly 35 bhp above standard Hi-Po output
Chassis SFM 5S053 is an early 'two-digit' 1965 Shelby GT350, one of the homologation batch built for SCCA competition. Completed at Shelby American on 17 March 1965 and shipped to a Rhode Island dealer days later, it retains its original engine block, cylinder heads, timing covers, carburetor, and date-coded fenders. After passing through several owners across the northeastern United States and beyond, it was comprehensively restored under Michigan ownership, earning a runner-up placing at the SAAC concours in 1986. The correct aluminum T-10 gearbox accompanies the car.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$379,000
- —Auction saleSold US$362,500
- 1965 →Private saleDavid A. Sartryspartial documentation
First retail buyer, residing in Bristol, Rhode Island, near the delivering dealership.
- 1965-03-20 →Factory deliveryTasca Ford Salesfull documentation
Authorized Ford dealership in East Providence, Rhode Island, that received the completed car directly from Shelby American.
- → 1984Various owners in Maine, Connecticut, and Marylandnone documentation
The car passed through multiple unidentified hands across several northeastern and mid-Atlantic states before arriving in Michigan.
- 1984 → 2000Acquisition unknownRobert Varcoepartial documentation
Based in St. Clair Shores, Michigan; believed to have commissioned a thorough restoration during his ownership, which yielded a concours placement in 1986.
- 2000-08-01 → 2007Private saleMatthew Morrisonpartial documentation
Resident of York, Pennsylvania; owned the car for roughly seven years before sending it to California.
- 2007 →Private saleAyman Nassarpartial documentation
Located in Palo Alto, California; received the car after it was transported cross-country from Pennsylvania.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownWest Coast enthusiastsnone documentation
A succession of unnamed but reportedly well-regarded California-area collectors held the car after Nassar before it returned east.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Connecticut-based owner who received the car after its period with West Coast collectors.
Competition
- 1986-07-01Shelby American Automobile Club concours circuitSAAC National Concours, Dearborn2nd place
Held in Dearborn, Michigan in early July 1986; the strong result followed a comprehensive restoration carried out under Robert Varcoe's ownership.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1984Restoration
A thorough, comprehensive restoration carried out while the car was in Michigan ownership, bringing it to concours-competitive condition.
Attributed to the period of Robert Varcoe's ownership; the restoration preceded a 2nd-place SAAC concours result in July 1986.
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