1966 GT350H  SFM6S1175

AUTHENTICITY: Genuine ’66 Shelby GT350H, serial #1175. Original Shelby VIN  plate intact. Shelby VIN stamped into right side fender apron.   The Ford 6R09K163960 VIN is  also intact, stamped into the fender apron beneath the  Shelby VIN plate. The Ford 6R09K VIN is also stamped into the right side of the engine block. The Shelby and Ford VINs correlate, according to records of the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC), custodian of Shelby’s factory records. The car is titled in Pennsylvania as a “Shelby”, and is listed in the 1997 SAAC Shelby World Registry .

This GT350 is one of 1000 units constructed by Shelby in 1966 for lease to the Hertz Corporation for use in rental service as part of the “Hertz Sports Car Club”. Of the 1000 cars produced, approximately 800 were in the Hertz corporate colors of black with gold stripes. The remaining 200 were produced in batches of red, blue, green and white.  The best information available indicates that approximately 50 examples of each color were produced, making 6S1175 one of about 50 in the Sapphire Blue color. Sapphire Blue was unique to the1966 Shelby, as it was not a standard Mustang color in 1966.  Rather, it was borrowed from the Thunderbird palette, where it is known as Pacific Blue.

HISTORY: Produced at Ford’s  San Jose, CA assembly plant in February of 1966 and shipped to Shelby American in Los Angeles for completion. Completed by Shelby to Hertz specifications and shipped March 4, 1966 to Larsen Ford in White Plains, New York for pre-delivery preparation. Delivered to Hertz, which assigned it to rental service in New York City. The front end was reportedly damaged in an accident while still in Hertz service, and repaired by Hertz.

Sold out of the Hertz disposition program in 1967. Originally titled in Pennsylvania October 4, 1967. No records survive of Pennsylvania owners between 1967 and about 1980. During this period, 6S1175 was reportedly changed from automatic to 4-speed and also run at the Bonneville Salt Flats. It  then sat neglected in a field for six years. The first known owner is Hal Keck of Hellertown, Pa, who was also owner of 289 Cobra  CSX2127 and later  noted owner/racer of 427 Cobra  CSX3008. (The green “Feinstein Racing” Cobra). Sold to Herb Brown of East Texas, PA (Allentown area) about 1980. Stored indoors  for the next 21 years pending a planned restoration which never materialized. Sold to Bill Collins Collector Fords  in August of 2001.

CONFIGURATION/CONDITION: Odometer displays 11,569 miles. It is not known if this is the true mileage, but it is asserted by one of the previous owners to be actual. Original Sapphire Blue / gold stripes color scheme. This car is believed to have received LeMans stripes at the factory. Original matched number engine with Cobra aluminum T-pan, valve covers and intake manifold. Replacement Holley carburetor and vacuum advance distributor (a correct distributor is included).  Original radiator, fan and shroud intact. Export brace and Monte Carlo bar intact.

The following codes have thus far been observed on major components:

            Left and right door striker pins are date stamped “2-66”

            The radiator is date stamped “1-66”

The engine block is stamped with  the vehicle’s Ford VIN of 6R09K163960  and Ford assembly date code “6B8R” (Feb 8, 1966)

            The cylinder heads contain exterior casting # “21” (high performance)

            The differential tag displays codes “3:50 C6ZX-C 6BA926” (Feb 1966)

The car is not in running condition as of October 1, 2001, although efforts to get it running will be undertaken at a later date. The original automatic transmission has been replaced with a 4-speed equipped with a Hurst “Super Shifter”. The original non-locking 3:50 ratio 9 inch rear is intact, with original ID tag in place. The unique to Hertz car Almico “piggyback” style master cylinder is intact. The brake proportioning valve and original brake system are fully intact but inoperable. The exhaust system is aftermarket, and completely defunct due to rustout, including the headers. The wheels are incorrect plain steel units, with poor condition tires. There is no spare tire/wheel, jack or handle.

The exterior paint and stripes are in poor condition. There is extensive rust throughout the floor pans and outer body metal. The engine compartment aprons and shock towers appear to be sound, as well as other structural elements throughout the car, but a thorough examination is recommended to evaluate their actual condition. The floor tunnel has a large opening cut out for installation of the shifter. All window glass and the plexiglass quarter windows are original and undamaged. All exterior trim is in poor condition. The original bullet style outside mirror is intact, as well as the quarter side scoops.

The interior is original. The dash pad, front seats and foldown rear seat assembly are in usable condition. All interior panels are intact and uncut. The original dash mounted tachometer has been replaced by an aftermarket unit. The original competition seat belts are missing. The original steering wheel assembly is included, although it is not shown in the photographs. It will require restoration.

OBSERVATIONS: Although this is one rough example, it has the critical integrity of having all of its original identification intact as well as the original engine. It is therefore a viable restoration candidate. Because early GT350’s are body wise almost identical to the standard Mustang, parts are readily available at reasonable cost to remedy the car’s worst problem, that being the rust. Interior and exterior trim are also similar, providing more restoration cost savings. The unique blue color will also make the finished product stand out from the crowd of typical black Hertz cars at shows.

PRICE: $21,500  Shown by appointment at my facility in Harrisburg, PA .

I also intend to display this Shelby at Fall Carlisle, Oct 4-7, space CB 142 in the car corral.

E-mail: shelbys@bcfords.com