Awaken your inner Ken Miles with a limited edition 1965 Ford Shelby GT350.
On Valentine's Day, February 14, 1965, at Green Valley Raceway in Smithfield, Texas, just outside Dallas, Carroll Shelby entered his GT350 Mustang in its first race, an SCCA event, with Ken Miles at the wheel.
One of the most memorable photos in motorsports history shows Miles and the Mustang floating in the air. Miles won the race, proving the racing aptitude, survivability, and airworthiness of the Venice Crew-tuned pony car.
In honor of the feat and the driver, the original Venice Crew presented a special edition of the Shelby-approved Continuation GT350; OVC is offering three Ken Miles "Flying Mustang" editions.
One features a 9-inch fixed axle rear end. The other two will feature an independent rear suspension system developed by the pioneering Peter Brock. Brock designed the IRS setup for the 1965 season, but the car won without it and was not produced at that time. [Ted Sutton and I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Ken Miles, who was part of the Shelby American team in 1965. Ken was known for his leadership as Competition Director overseeing the Shelby Cobra, Daytona Coupe, and GT40 programs, as well as being the development driver of the Ford Shelby GT350."
"The recent Oscar-winning movie "Ford vs. Ferrari,"
"Along with his son Peter, who is also portrayed in the film, we honor his contributions in making the Shelby GT350 a winner in this special edition of the trio.
Not only did Shelby American and Miles win that first race, but the Shelby GT350 began to dominate its respective classes in North America and Europe. Today, the original Shelby GT350 is a fan favorite at events such as the Le Mans Classic and Goodwood.
"I am pleased that my father's contributions to the 1965 Shelby GT350 R program are being honored with this special car. I know my father felt it was a great challenge to take what Shelby called a "secretary's car" and turn it into a championship-caliber racing car."
[15 [I was fortunate to spend as many hours with him as I did with Jim Marietta when we spent hours testing the Shelby GT350 at Riverside Raceway at the time. That car usually wore the number "3". Now we are circling with those three cars. For me, the "Flying Mustang" is setting perfect laps".
To replicate the configuration in which Miles developed and raced the original, the three special cars will have the package tray and sound deadening material removed. The cars will feature special Miles graphics, including a commemorative signature. Signed by Peter Miles.
OVC will assemble the cars at the Shelby facility in Southern California, as Carroll Shelby and the racers did in 1965.The Shelby GT350 to be built by OVC originally had a Hypo 289cid engine and Borg Warner 4-speed transmission It starts with the same Mustang. The car is fully reconditioned and built to competition specifications. Customers can choose between a traditional 9-inch fixed rear end or an independent rear suspension. Continuing cars start at $298,000.
For more information, visit the OVC website.
This article, written by Tom Stahler, originally appeared on ClassicCars.com, an editorial partner of Motor Authority.
