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  Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R      

  Article Image gallery (126) Chassis (8) SFM5R108 Specifications  
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Country of origin:United States
Produced from:1965 - 1966
Numbers built:36
Price new:$5,995
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:September 21, 2015
Download: All images
Chassis: SFM5R108
Completed in the fall of 1965, this was the very last GT350 R produced of the first batch. It was sold new to Ford dealer Gene Hamon. In September of 1966, it was raced by Pedro Rodriguez, who took the place of designated driver Bill Steele. He had been intimidated by the car, so Hamon asked the noted Mexican sports car and Grand Prix driver. Asked if he could handle the car, he simply replied; 'Si, I win.' He did so, not only beating Jerry Titus in the works prototype but also Al Goldman in a full competition Shelby Cobra. Shortly after, the car was acquired from Hamon by Mexican amateur racer Freddy van Beuren. He removed the blue stripes and instead finished the car in a very Mexican livery with a red, white and green stripe down the middle of the Mustang. Van Beuren showed Rodriguez was not the only Mexican capable of handling the GT350 R as he won the SCCA Southwest Division title. In the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours, it ran seventh overall and first in class when, sadly, the engine blew. Van Beuren made up for the disappointment by winning his class at the Sebring 12 Hours a few weeks later. He would continue to race the car with great success during the 1967 season, winning the B-Production Championship at Daytona in the American Road Race of Champions.

The racing successes brought a lot of publicity for the car and it also appeared in Champion Spark Plugs and Amaline Oil ads. It was raced by subsequent owners well into the 1972 season. Chassis 5R108 was then put in storage for a decade. In the early 1980s, it was found and acquired by Bill Many and Lee Wilmot. They restored the car to its distinct Mexican livery. Since then, it has several very enthusiastic owners, and it was even briefly raced in Europe by its then owner from England. The most recent owners acquired the car from noted collectors Paul and Chris Andrews in 2015. Sold at auction once more in August of 2016, it is now owned by an American historic racer. Before taking to the track, he had the car re-finished in the original colours as raced by Pedro Rodriguez. Chassis 5R108 then returned to racing for the 2017 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.


Chassis details
Manufactured in September 22, 1965
First owner Gene Hamon Ford
Last known location American Private Collection
Appearances
Most recent auction(s)

2017 Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2017 Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2017 Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2017 Monterey Motorsports Reunion
2017 Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2017 Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2017 Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2017 Monterey Motorsports Reunion
2016 Monterey Auctions Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R
Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R
Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R
Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 R

  Article Image gallery (126) Chassis (8) SFM5R108 Specifications