1965 Shelby GT350 R
- Colour
- White with green stripes (Comstock team livery)

Chassis 5R096 is a 1965 Shelby GT350 R completed in April of that year and originally supplied to Canada's Comstock Racing team via Ford Motor Company of Canada. Notable for winning the 500-mile race at Mosport outright in August 1965 — reportedly finishing the final two hours without brakes — the car subsequently passed through several American owners before undergoing a full restoration to Comstock specification, completed in 1996. It later participated in European classic rallies and historic circuit events, and has been Switzerland-based since 2003.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$720,000
- 1965 → 1966Acquisition unknownComstock Racing Teampartial documentation
Toronto-based race team that campaigned the car in Canadian competition; car was fitted with Weber carburetors permitted under local regulations.
- 1965-04-20 → 1965Factory deliveryFord Motor Company of Canadapartial documentation
Car was ordered by the Canadian Ford subsidiary specifically for use by the Comstock Racing team in Toronto; repainted in team colors upon arrival.
- 1966 →Private saleStan Wardpartial documentation
Kept the car in Canada and raced it at multiple Eastern Canadian circuits; the engine suffered a failure at Harewood, damaging the aluminum sump. Car was repainted blue during his ownership.
- → 1982Private saleTexas-based ownernone documentation
Acquired the car mid-restoration; subsequently sold it back to Leuchner by 1982.
- 1982 → 1995Private saleRichard Leuchnerpartial documentation
Re-acquired the car and held it until selling to Dave Mathews; restoration was completed after his second ownership ended.
- 1995 → 1996Private saleDave Mathewspartial documentation
Based in Guilford; completed the restoration in 1996 and returned the car to its original Comstock team appearance.
- 1996 → 2003Private saleProminent American collectorpartial documentation
Well-known collector of high-caliber sports and competition cars who had the car converted for vintage racing and used it primarily on European long-distance rallies.
- 2003 →Private saleCurrent Swiss ownerpartial documentation
Imported the car to Switzerland and continued vintage racing activity; had the engine returned to original specification in 2015 in preparation for further historic competition.
- Date unknownPrivate saleBrian Burgesspartial documentation
Toronto-based owner who subsequently moved the car across the border to the United States.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMike Gaffneypartial documentation
Based in Bloomington, Illinois; car passed through his hands before being traded onward.
- Date unknownPrivate saleRichard Leuchnerpartial documentation
Based in Noank, Connecticut; initiated a restoration that was sold partway through, but later reacquired the car in 1982 and retained it until 1995.
Competition
- 1965Mosport raceDriver: Eppie Wietzes
First competitive outing for the car; driven by Wietzes, exact result not stated.
- 1965-08-23Mosport 500-Mile RaceDriver: Eppie Wietzes1st overall
Co-driven by Craig Fisher; car completed the final two hours with no functioning brakes and still took the overall win.
- 1996-07-01SAAC-21
Car was exhibited at this SAAC gathering held at Lime Rock Park prior to its sale to a prominent American collector.
- 1999Rallye du Maroc Classic
One of several overseas long-distance rallies entered by the American collector owner.
- 2000Tour Auto18th overall, 2nd in class
Competed under the American collector owner; strong class result in a highly competitive field.
- 2001Tour Auto2nd in class
Second consecutive class runner-up finish at the same event.
- 2016Jarama Classic
Competed under Swiss ownership following the 2015 engine rebuild.
- 2016Dix Mille Tours
- 2017Jarama Classic
- 2017Spa Classic
- 2017Hungaroring Classic
- —Harewood Acres raceDriver: Stan WardDNF — engine failure
Engine failure during the race caused damage to the aluminum oil pan.
- —Argentia raceDriver: Stan Ward
Event held at Argentia, St. Johns, Newfoundland, during Ward's ownership period.
- —St. Jovite raceDriver: Stan Ward
Competed at the circuit later renamed Mont-Tremblant in Quebec.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1965Modification
Car was repainted from original Wimbledon White into Comstock team livery of white with green stripes upon arrival in Canada; Weber carburettors were also fitted to comply with Canadian racing regulations.
- 1996Restoration
Restoration brought to full completion under Dave Mathews, with the car returned to its original Comstock racing specification and period livery.
- 2015Engine rebuild
Engine rebuilt and returned to its original factory specification in preparation for continued historic racing activity.
Carried out under the current Swiss owner's tenure.
- —Repair
Engine failure during racing at Harewood Acres caused destruction of the aluminium oil pan; extent of subsequent repair work is not specified in the source.
Occurred during Stan Ward's ownership.
- —Restoration
Restoration commenced by Richard Leuchner but was left incomplete when the car was sold; work was continued after the car's return to Leuchner in 1982.
The restoration passed through at least two phases and was interrupted by a change of ownership.
- —Modification
Car was converted for vintage racing following its acquisition by the American collector after SAAC-21.
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