Just about every car enthusiast dreams of finding “the mother lode”, a barn full of well-preserved but far-from-perfect classic cars ready to head to auction. Such finds seemed a regular occurrence even a decade ago, but lately the number of valuable car finds seems to be dwindling. They’re still out there though, if you’re looking hard enough and happen to have some luck on your side, like the finder of this 1966 Shelby GT350.
Presented in as-found state, this 1966 Shelby GT350 accumulated just 55,000 miles before going into storage in 1976. Though it will command the six-figure premium that many Mustangs of this vintage bring, it’s still expected to draw a minimum bid of $90,000 when it goes to auction in Greenwich, Connecticut, next month.
Sold out of a Framingham, Massachusetts, Ford dealership, this Shelby is essentially a perfect time capsule from when it was put into storage. It’s also a “carry-over” car that has all of the 1965 model’s performance parts, but wears the updated look of the 1966 GT350. It also still wears its original Cragar Shelby mag wheels, and the own hung onto every single receipt and document since buying it, including the bill of sale and official Shelby literature.
Were this car in better shape, it could easily bring $200,000 or more at auction, but because it’s obviously seen better days, Bonham’s places the bidding estimate between $90,000 and $120,000. That’s still a handsome price for a Mustang that’s wearing plenty of visible rust, and if you ask us, having a less-than-perfect Shelby in one’s collection is a more compelling story than just another flawless GT350 purchased for top dollar.
This ‘66 Shelby GT350 barn find will be up for grabs at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance on June 5th.