The Real Story Behind The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R

Dec 06, 2023

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R is a muscle car that stands out from the crowd with its track-ready appearance and high performance.

The Mustang is America's muscle car. It is an icon of American performance and progress. Ford first unveiled the Mustang in 1964, and it has been in production ever since. Almost 60 years later, it continues to evolve to meet the challenges of the ever-changing car market.

The Mustang received numerous updates and facelifts. Each year, Ford tuned and tweaked every detail on a journey to make the perfect muscle car. Multiple options and packages have come and gone, while some have repeated themselves.

Shelby is a name that is almost synonymous with the Mustang nameplate. The Shelby GT350, the GT350R, and the GT500 are heavy hitters in the car's history.

The Mustang's lineage comprises many other great editions. Some other greats include the 1968 California Special, the 1971 Mach 1, and the 2000 SVT Cobra R. Special packages as these often include larger V8 engines (5.0 liter and up) with multiple performance modifications. While these editions do hold their own in the world of cars, none of them could replace the Shelby GT350R.

One year after the birth of the first Mustang, a partnership formed between the Ford Motor Co. and famous automotive designer Carroll Shelby. The two came together to create a high-performance model of the Mustang and dubbed it the Shelby GT350. The first unit rolled off of the assembly line in 1965. The original year models are the smallest and lightest versions due to the great emphasis on weight reduction for the first concept.

Ford revived the Shelby nameplate time and time again. It shined bright for the majority of the sixties. It branched out into the European market in 1971 as the Shelby Europa, and it made a triumphant return in 2005 and stayed until 2020.

All the original models wore a crisp white coat of paint with blue racing stripes. A 4.7-liter V8 engine powered the car, producing 271 hp and 329 lb-ft of torque. Ford coined the "Cobra hi-riser" nickname for the engine because of its high-rise intake manifold. The models featured the cobra symbol that is iconic to the Shelby name. The sole idea behind the GT350 was performance, and the GT350R took performance to another level.

GT350R models started out as a limited edition car. A mere 34 units went into production in the first year. The design went beyond the idea of conventional muscle and transformed into an elite racing machine. It broke new grounds by basically being a street legal track car, with the concept intending to meet the specifications to compete under the SCCA guidelines. It reigned as the B-Production champion for an impressive three-year stretch. In 1969, Carroll Shelby stepped away from the Shelby GT operation. Ford took over the project completely from there.

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The GT350R has racing built into its DNA. The R in the title literally stands for "Race Spec." The 1965 GT350 models would leave the assembly line at the Ford plant and transported to the Shelby facility for the final touches. They shipped without heaters, defrosters, rear and back windows, insulation, headliners, or upholstery. Workers at Shelby would convert the car into a different rig from there.

The interior received an updated display cluster with an oil pressure gauge and new tachometer. A steel roll cage wrapped around the cabin. Aluminum frames replaced the missing windows for weight reduction, and plexiglass substituted the normal glass. Fender flares became a necessity to house the larger 15×7-inch wheels.

Shelby added a 34 gallon gas tank underneath. The cars received an updated rear differential and traction bars on the suspension and a lightweight fiberglass apron attached to the front of the body.

The engine underwent a drastic transformation. Shelby added an oil cooler to control the temperature under high-performance conditions. Updates for the GT350R included a Holley four-barrel carburetor, a Cobra high-rise aluminum intake manifold, and reworked Cyclone Tri-Y headers. The GT350 with an output of 271 hp was now a rocket on wheels. The upgrade boosted it to 360 hp. The GT350R was Ford's secret weapon to dominating the racetrack. It would go on to perform well and have its own racing dynasty.

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The GT350R made a promising return in 2015 and was available until 2020. It features a 5.2-liter 32 valve DOHC V8 engine with a direct injection fuel supply system. The Mustang puts out a powerful 526 hp with 429 lb-ft of torque. The RWD automatic transmission has a ten-speed gearbox. It has a multi link rear suspension and a front MacPherson strut in the front for superior handling. Ford produced 800 units in 2019 versus the mere 34 made for the 1965 models.

The GT350R makes a statement in the muscle car world and has for over five decades. The newer models incorporate modern technology and creature comforts. While the GT350R still captures the spirit of racing, it has evolved to meet the desires of more customers. Improvements to the design include things like power outlets, remote key fobs, power steering, climate control, and a push start button.

The GT350R has made wonderful improvements in the performance department as well. The 2020 models have a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. It also has a top speed of 173 mph and puts out around 200 more horsepower than the original. Ford may have halted production of these legendary cars, but it is only a matter of time before the Shelby GT350R makes a return.

Nathan started writing for HotCars in 2022. Growing up in Alabama, he has always had a passion for cars that lead him to work in several fields in the Automotive Industry. He left his last job manufacturing trash trucks to pursue a career as a writer.