1965 Ford Mustang for sale

1965 Mustang R Model Tribute

Ford went to Carroll Shelby to enhance the muscle car image of the Mustang. He had done so much with the Cobras that Ford thought he could do the same for the Mustang. Shelby wanted to beat Corvette specifically as it was considered to be Americas sport car. To do this, the Mustang had to be a two seater like the Corvette. This was done by eliminating the backseat and installing a fiberglass shelf.

Shelby needed to produce 100 cars in a very short time to homologate the Mustang for B production. Ford and Shelby did this together and they were on their way.

For competition purposes it needed to be lightened up. This was done numerous ways. As we said before the back seat was removed, steel hood deleted, hood latches, grille bars, Mustang badges, radios, exhaust system, replaced by side exhaust, sound deadener, seam sealer and undercoating, window regulators, side glass, gas tank replaced with competition tank, door panels, headliners, heater/defroster system and carpet was deleted. A light weight fiberglass apron was added to the nose to help dual air to front brakes and add further engine cooling. The rear bumper was deleted and thin aluminum panels were riveted over the holes created when the heavy C-pillar air extracted vents were removed. The heavy rear back glass was replaced with Plexiglas was a one inch opening across its top which allowed air to come into the cockpit. Carroll Shelby said it helped top speed.

These R Model Shelby Mustangs did what Ford intended them to do. They dominated B production which was where the Corvette was and WON the National Championship in 1965, 1966 and 1967. The year 1965 was the only year they had a factory team. After that, they had independent teams and kick everyoneandrsquo;s tail!!!!!

This particular Mustang started life as a nice C Code car with a nice solid body from which to work. If you are interested in this car you are no doubt familiar with Cobra Automotive in Connecticut. They race a 65 Shelby and are VERY FAST and have been for years. They have made a multitude of go fast Mustangs and Shelbyandrsquo;s. The owner of this car spent thousands of dollars making this car into a fantastic car. You could not build this car for what we are asking for it. Go through the parts on our website and you will know what I mean.

The engine is a 302 block with high nickel content and has all the good stuff in it. I can give you a list if you wish. I can also get you the dyno sheets which shows that it put out 469 HP. The engine builder was Southwest Performance in Houston, Texas. They have a great reputation.

As you can see by the pictures, it has all the goodies that an R model had except the gas tank (twin gas tanks welded together) which is not needed as the races in which it would race are not long distance races. The wheels are American racing wheels and look the same as the original but are not magnesium. It also does not have the side Plexiglas windows because it is very hot during the summer in Texas and you want your windows down for the air. It does not have the R model gauges, but as you can see the gauges are all proper and have all the reading you wish.

This is a very serious car and a very good looking car. Also, this is a car you can have a great deal of fun with.

Please call me if you would like to know more about this car.

Steve - 281-531-9090 or [ email ]