• Chassis # SFM6S203
  • Engine #
  • 1 of 252 'Carryover' examples produced for the 1966 model year
  • Wimbledon White with Blue Lemans stripes
  • California black plate car
  • Listed in the Shelby registry

The Overview

As documented in the Shelby American Automobile Club’s Shelby World Registry, this 1966 Shelby, SFM6S203, is one of 252 that started life as a 1965 Mustang before its conversion into a 1966 GT350 at Shelby American. Known as “carry-over” cars, these early production 1966 Shelbys were ordered as 1965 Hi-Po 289 Mustang fastbacks so they could be built into GT350s in time for the 1966 new-model introductions. The transformation included the installation of a 1966 Mustang grille and new five-dial instrumentation with updated dash pad. According to its entry in the Shelby Registry, 6S203 was ordered on June 13, 1965, and delivered to Webster Ford Sales in Caruthers, California, with Wimbledon White paint, a 4-speed transmission, optional 15-inch Cragar wheels and extra-cost Guardsman Blue Lemans stripes. Like all 1966 GT350s, this Mustang fastback was built into a Shelby at Shelby American’s southern California facility. There, the solid-lifter 289 High Performance engine was converted into a 306 HP Cobra version with a 715 CFM Holley 4-barrel carburetor, high-rise Cobra aluminum intake, Tri-Y headers, finned-aluminum valve covers and higher-capacity Cobra oil pan. Externally, the GT350s received a fiberglass hood with scoop, blue side stripes and GT350 rear emblems. For 1966, functional side scoops and Plexiglas rear quarter windows were also added. The black interior includes competition seat belts, a wood-grain steering wheel and 9,000 RPM dash-mount tachometer. As an early production 1966 Shelby, 6S203 came with several 1965 GT350 modifications, including lowered front A-arms, Koni shocks, over-ride traction bars, hollow-letter Cobra valve covers and the rear-seat delete with the 1966-style rear panel, its spare tire remaining in the trunk. This carry-over 1966 Shelby GT350 has been updated with a Toploader 4-speed and 1965-style Shelby side-exiting exhaust. It is also equipped with its radio-delete plate autographed by Carroll Shelby, a glovebox door autographed by Chuck Cantwell and California black plates.