Originally shipped to Lima, Peru, in 1966, this GT350 earned its bones in the 3,000 km Caminos del Inca race, taking the win both in 1972 and 1973 at the hands of one Teodoro Yagali.
According to reports, the car was then stored in a trailer until being repatriated in 2002. Originally the car was built in green with an automatic transmission, but is now equipped with a 4-speed manual box. Still retaining its original engine, the car went to auction last weekend at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car event in Palm Springs, FL.
Now restored to current condition, this example demonstrates how provenance – even if rather obscure – contributes to the collectibility of a vehicle.
While a pre-production GT350 prototype has sold for almost $300K, and a one of two remaining drag version GT350 hit $350K, the more normal range for these cars is in the high five figures to low six figure range. For production cars, a highly documented, matching numbers example has sold for $225K.
In general, the more original the car is, the higher its value. Without its winning competition history, it is debatable whether this car might have crossed the six figure line at all.
The Shelby GT350 was created in 1965 to enter SCCA/B production competition and build a performance image for the newly introduced Ford Mustang. Shelby American produced 100 cars by February 1965, enabling the vehicles to compete in the 1965 season. Automatic transmissions became an option for 1966 production, as well as colors other than white. Blue, red and black were available, in addition to the green in which this car was originally delivered.