ford shelby cobra gt500

The 1965–1966 cars were the smallest and lightest of the GT 350 models. These cars are often improperly called "Cobras", which was the Ford-powered AC-based two-seat sports car also produced by Shelby American during the same period. The confusion arises from the use of the Cobra emblem, the paint scheme, and optional "Cobra" valve covers on many GT350s (part of a marketing tie-in by Shelby as well as one of his iconic symbols). All 1965–66 cars featured the K-Code 271 hp 289, modified to produce 306 hp. Marketing literature referred to this engine as the ""Cobra hi-riser" due to its high-riser intake manifold. Beginning as a stock Mustang with a 4-speed manual, the cars were shipped to Shelby American, where they received the high-riser manifolds, had their stock Ford Falcon live rear axles replaced with heavy-duty Ford Galaxie rear axles, and were given larger, metallic-lined rear drum brakes and Kelsey-Hayes front disc brakes. The 1965 G.T. 350 was truly a street-legal race car, and as such was not built for comfort or ease of driving. Even more "hairy" were the less than 30 "G.T. 350R" race-spec cars that were built specifically to race under SCCA rules. While the 1966 G.T. 350 was still an extreme and difficult car, it had some of its sharper edges smoothed out for the comfort of casual drivers (i.e back seats, different colors, automatic transmission). This trend continued every year, with the cars becoming progressively larger, heavier and more comfortable, while losing much of their competitiveness in the process. The 1969 G.T. 350's and 500's were largely styling modifications to a stock Mustang, not at all the light and harsh racers of 1965-67. By 1969 Caroll Shelby was no longer involved in the Shelby GT program, and design was done in-house by Ford. As the Shelby GT's popularity was built on its reputation as an "all-race" automobile, once word began to spread in the street that the newest Shelby's were simply Mustangs with "Shelby" badges and different trim, sales began to slip.

1965–1966 G.T. 350s were delivered from Ford's San Jose assembly plant in body in white form for modification by Carroll Shelby's operation, originally in Venice Beach and later at Los Angeles International Airport. San Jose cars carried an "R" in the Ford VIN denoting that facility.^[2] The only year that Shelby Mustangs from the 1960s came from another plant was 1968, where they came from New Jersey, "T" in the VIN,^[3] and were modified by A.O. Smith.

1965–66 GT 350s were very successful racers, and had many production-class victories