MCACN 2022, Advanced Shelby GT350 Protoypes

The Prototype Shelby G.T.350 Mustangs at the MCACN 2022 in Chicago
© John Canfield for www.ponysite.de December 2022


The Muscle Cars And Corvette Nationals is one of the best Muscle car shows in the US. This year it took place in Chicago and attracted still a huge crowd of vintage iron enthusiasts.The Specials are always an highlight and each group, wether Mopars, Ford or any other enthusiast group tries to gather jewels from their mates. This year also marked 60 years Shelby and one focus were the first Shelby Mustangs built. Aside from the first street prototype, known as SFM5001, which was later tagged with 5S003, there were 10 Advanced Prototypes from SFM5004 to SFM5014 built back then. One of them received a Paxton Supercharger (SFM5010). Many know the restoration story of Mark Hovander about 5001 (5S003) that he enrolled in the public for years. Today the car is owned by Nick Smith, Stuart/Florida. Last time I saw it myself was at the 50th Anniversary in Charlotte, where I could inspect it. John has more on the history since: It was displayed in the way it was used for promotional purposes, with the Cragar wheels on one side and the standard steel wheels on the other. I regret not photographing it on the drivers side to show that off but the way that the display was set up it was difficult to get a good picture of that side. The last time I saw this car was at the 2019 MCACN show and it had been taken down and restored back to its K-code Mustang condition and then from there transformed into a GT350 the same way it had been done in '65." Today we would like to challenge you with something. Actually all of the so-called Advanced Prototypes were finished on the January 25th, 1965. The January, 27th, 1965 saw the official G.T.350 intro to the press. Actually 10 test cars were on hand there for journalists, as is documented in one report and a nice color picture illustrates that int he latest SAAC 1965 registry. A Cobra, a GT40 and a competition model aside, I think that at least 6 of the 5004-5013 were there, if not all, since one was parked outside. Let's hear your feedback on that claim.	Thanks to John Canfield for sending the MCACN 2022 pics. Above is 5001 or 5S003 - the first street car prototype at the MCACN 2019. 10 test cars were on site at the Riverside Raceway on January 27th, including a Cobra and a GT40. Which of the Advanced Prototypes was actually there? We think at least 6 of them.

SFM5004 was once stolen in 1965 from its owner, cut in length and from left to right and the drivetrain removed. It was recovered, but the insurance paid the loss and the remainders were destroyed.

SFM 5005 was used as a public relations car and sold through Hi-Performance Motors in May 1965. Last known owner Kenneth Jones, repainted in 2009.

SFM5006 is not so often shown in the public, but not less important. It was part of the January, 27th, 1965 Shelby Mustang first press preview at the Riverside Raceway. Designated as factory showing car, it then was airfreighted to Pennsylvania for display at the Philadelphia Auto Show and SCCA national convention, February 9.-14th, 1965. It was then acquired by Archway Ford of Baltimore/Maryland and shown at the Baltimore World of Wheels show in March. Sold for 1900$ to Bill Collins in 1971, it was then raced and dragraced, until being put in storage in 1980. Pulled from there in 2015 Bill showed it at the 50th Anniversary in Charlotte, where it caught a lot of attention. Again this time at the MCACN 2022.

SFM5007 served as a endurance test car for the magazine SCG, driven by John Christy. The car is considered a loss after an accident early in its years, a fake car is around with a C-code Ford VIN. (Source SAAC-registry)

SFM5008s traces end already in 1966 with 10.000 miles and a purchase by an unknown owner.

SFM5009 belongs to Gary P. Barnes from Phoenix/Maryland and is another pre-production prototype.

SFM5010 is next in the row of pre-production prototypes and belongs to Dale Spahr, York/PA It was used in the famous movie Red Line 7000 by actor James Caan and has the 65 Thunderbird backlights installed as well as a Paxton Supercharger. Actually it was used as a development car for the usage of a Supercharger. It has only 48.600 documented miles on the odometer, original interior, engine, drivetrain and sheetmetal according to the signboard. Fresh paint was once applied in the late 80ies. Acc. to best knowledge also owned at some time by Bill Collins.

SFM 5012 is owned by William Deary. The car was initially covered in Car and Driver magazine in May 1965. It was a demonstrator car and for some time in Ford exec hands, before being sold to Walt Hickey, later on vintage raced. Restored to original after 2010, it was used for the 2016 GT350 launch. (Source SAAC-registry)

SFM 5013 The signboard next to this car says: John Christy bought this after having done a 10.000 miles endurance test with SFM5007 for the Sports Car Graphic magazine. The test was covered on several pages in the 1965 May and June SCG magazine. Author John Christy obviously was so convinced of the car, that he turned to Carrol Shelby to buy one for himself. This is that car. Purchased by Ernie and Elaine Nagamatsu in 1990 from a friend, LA/CA, who put it 30 years away. It went on sale in 2021. Actually Mark Hovander mentions that John Cristy got SFM5015 on his website, we may clarify that later on.

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