Just the Details...Early Production 1965 GT350 Shelby Mustang Restoration

Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Here is another update on the restoration of a very early production 1965 GT350 Mustang. This is one of the cars early enough to have been modified at the Venice, CA facility before Shelby American moved to the Los Angeles Airport plant.

The car is owned by a customer. Virginia Classic Mustang has supplied many of the parts along with consultation for the restoration. The restoration is being performed by Maple Hill Restoration. We have featured quite a few of Jeremy's restorations of our own cars here on the Blog. His work is really incredible.

This Shelby is now painted, and the "fun part" of the restoration is rolling along as things start going together.

We have tagged all of the posts featuring the restoration of this car, and you can find them all here by clicking this link.

If you click on a picture, you can view a large version of that image, but please check out the captions which explain each particular image.

A date code is normally stamped on the heater box assembly. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Heater box assembly fully detailed, assembled, and ready to install Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Heater box assembly fully detailed, assembled, and ready to install Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Heater box assembly fully detailed, assembled, and ready to install Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

The heater box featuring the correct, original, cardboard heater plenum. Note the "dimpled" texture firewall mat that is correct for a San Jose built Mustang. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Glove box area detailed and ready to go. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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LH air vent assembly ready to install. Note that the earlier version has the plastic grill. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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A shot of the ashtray assembly along with a partial view of the radio block off plate. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Wiring is in and the instrument panel is ready to install. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Brake and Clutch Pedal Assembly looks great! It's ready to be installed. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Heater motor detail shown from the engine compartment. Sealer for the firewall and around the heater blower assembly has not been applied yet. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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The detail of the underdash area is just fantastic! Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Disc brake proportioning valve. We have seen black painted ones and gray painted ones. This one was detailed as found on this particular car. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Wiper motor and other underdash detail. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Wiper arm detail shot for under the dash. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Steering box properly "blacked out"on the top. The original tag indicates the quick ratio box along with the date. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Front outer frame rail detail shot. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Lower part of hood hinge detail. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Another under hood area detail shot as this area goes together. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Beautifully detailed transmission crossmember ready to roll. Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
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Since this is a very early GT350, the original steering wheel is the 16 inch version with a unique hub assembly.  Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Since this is a very early GT350, the original steering wheel is the 16 inch version with a unique hub assembly.  Early 1965 GT350 Mustang Shelby Restoration.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Virginia Classic Mustang!

Merry Christmas!
www.VirginiaClassicMustang.com

I love this, so I've been posting it for many years.  I found it somewhere on the Internet and tweaked it a bit. I don't know the author (sorry), but it is pretty cool!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Virginia Classic Mustang!

'Twas the night before Christmas and in the garage,

There wasn't a trace of a Chevy or a Dodge.

The presents were wrapped and the lights were all lit,

So I figured I'd mess with the ‘Stang for a bit.

I popped out the hood pins and I lifted the hood,

When a deep voice behind me said "looks pretty good."

Well, as you can imagine, I turned mighty quick,

And there, by the workbench, stood good ol’ Saint Nick!

We stood there a bit, not too sure what to say,

Then he said "don't suppose that you'd trade for my sleigh?

I said "no way, Santa" and started to grin,

"But if you've got the time we could go for a spin!"

His round little mouth, all tied up like a bow,

Turned into a smile and he said "hey! Let's go!!"

So as not to disturb all the neighbors' retreat,

We pushed the Mustang quietly into the street,

Then, taking our places to drift down the hill,

I turned on the key and I let the clutch spill.

The sound that erupted took him by surprise,

But he liked it a lot, by the look in his eyes.

With Goodyears a' crying and side pipes aglow,

We headed on out where the hot rodders go.

And Santa's grin widened, approaching his ears,

With every up shift, as I went through the gears.

Then he yelled "can't recall when I've felt so alive!",

So I backed off the gas and said "you wanna drive?"

Ol’ Santa was stunned when I gave him the keys,

When he walked past the headlights he shook at the knees!

Then the HiPo exploded with side exhaust sound!

Santa let out the clutch and the tires shook the ground!

Power shift into second, again into third!

I sat there just watching, at loss for a word,

Then I heard him exclaim as we blasted from sight,

"Merry Christmas to all...........what a great night!!!"

Just the Details...Early Production 1965 GT350 Shelby Mustang Restoration

The restoration continues on this rare 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Today, we have another update on the restoration of a very early production 1965 GT350 Mustang. This is one of the cars early enough to have been modified at the Venice, CA facility before Shelby American moved to the Los Angeles Airport plant.

The car is owned by a customer. Virginia Classic Mustang has supplied many of the parts along with consultation for the restoration. The restoration is being performed by Maple Hill Restoration. We have featured quite a few of Jeremy's restorations of our own cars here on the Blog. His work is really incredible.

This Shelby is now painted, and the "fun part" of the restoration is rolling along as things start going together.

We have tagged all of the posts featuring the restoration of this car, and you can find them all here by clicking this link.

If you click on a picture, you can view a large version of that image, but please check out the captions which explain each particular image.

If you don't subscribe to our Blog yet, be sure to do so by clicking the link in the RH side bar. We will be posting more pictures very soon...don't miss them!

Rear brake/hub area is detailed and assembled. Our brake shoes were used rather than the segmented originals due to superior performance of these particular shoes. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Rear brake drum has been "blacked out" on the face as originally done. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Markings on the factory nine inch rear end housing have been duplicated as found on the original. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Factory markings on the rear leaf springs and U-bolts have been duplicated. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Detail shot of the rear underside area showing the rubber bumper used on override traction bar cars and the detailed Koni Shock. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Another detail shot showing the rear end, backing plate, and rear traction bar. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

This car was originally equipped with the 15 x 5 1/2 inch Kelsey Hayes steel wheels. Here is one mounted with a Goodyear Blue Dot tire. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Gas tank and trunk area detail. The tail light wiring harness is ready to be installed. 1965 Shelby GT350.
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Rear tail light wiring harness installed and properly routed. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Detail shot of the RH tail light housing showing the proper spacers and nuts. 1965 Shelby GT350.
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This image shows the inside quarter vent area. Note how the colors and overspray have been duplicated exactly how it was originally found on this particular car. 1965 Shelby GT350.
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The original rear trunk latch was cleaned and re-used. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Exterior rear quarter vent/louvers have been cleaned and detail painted as original. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Note the detail of the original colors and overspray. Also note the "override" traction bar mount and seal. This area will, of course, be covered when the package tray and other interior pieces are installed, but it has been restored and duplicated exactly as it was originally built. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

1965 Shelby GT350. Front frame rail detail.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

1965 Shelby GT350. Front suspension strut rods with proper stops, hardware, bushings and washers.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

1965 Shelby GT350. Strut rod steering stop with paint marking as original.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

1965 Shelby GT350. Motor mount assemblies were unique to the 289 High Performance engines in 1965.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

The '65 GT350 through early '66's were "lowered" in the front by Shelby American drilling a lower set of holes the mounting of the front control arms. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

The first 300 or so 1965 GT350s had a trunk mounted battery. Special rubber plugs were used in the holes where the battery tray would have been originally mounted up front in the Mustang. We have those plugs available, and they are 100% like the originals. You can buy them at this link. 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Rear brake hose area on the underside of the car. Note the dual exhaust muffler hanger is installed in the car even though it is not used, because the 1965 Shelby GT350s had side exiting exhaust.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc

Another detail shot showing the floor pan with the proper overspray and routing of the gas and brake lines along with the emergency brake cable on this rare 1965 Shelby GT350.
©Virginia Classic Mustang Inc