Building an R-Model GT350 V1.0

I've been driving a 66 Fastback wearing Shelby colors for some time. The car has a Paxton-supercharged 289, 4 speed and goes pretty well. When I started building the car, about 10 years ago, I wasn't sure if I was going for street or race, and it shows, the car is a bit of both.

Now comes time to build the the most correct R-Model I can afford.

Most R-Models you see out there have some glaring omissions, the gauges, interior, engine, plastic windows sitting in alloy frames, the le mans carb. Usually something major & typically expensive. Most of the parts acquisition is complete and thanks to EBAY and my friends in the LA Shelby Club, I have everything for about half of retail. The next few images (from several authentic R Models) and descriptions should help even the casual viewer differentiate between the "S" street Shelby's and the "R" race Shelby's.

The interiors are all business, no carpet, headliner, dash pad, radio, heater. Very little to catch fire. Horn in mounted to dash because of the steering wheel design. Gauges are competition quality mounted to alloy panel.

Fiberglass bucket replaces standard seat for driver. Adds lateral support while reducing weight. Fiberglass deck replaces rear seat.

Additional weight saving come from removing the entire window assembly including glass, frame, crank and padded door panel. In it's place are plastic window with alloy frames, a canvas pull-up strap and finally fitted with an alloy door panel.

At the rear, the glass was removed for additional weight savings, replaced by more plastic. The window was formed with an opening to allow trapped hot air to escape, cooling the driver while not blowing out from the force of a race car at speed. On the sides you see allow panels riveted in place of the standard Mustang side vents. This was to eliminate airflow drag.

A few mods found under the hood (not to mention the performance enhancements in the engine) are a 1965 Galaxie radiator with oversize oil cooler, modified valve covers to allow faster oil addition during pit stops, an alloy cobra intake and a 715 Le Mans carb with allow plenum. The intake and carb where also found on the street cars.


In the trunk where you would normally find luggage and a spare tire sits two gas tanks, really one made from the bottom halves of two tanks. To increase efficiency in refueling, a le mans style filler with splash bucket are added to the tank. To the right of the tank sits the battery.


Lastly, which is something rarely seen in a rear-view mirror is the front of an R Model. The front valance is fiberglass and has a gaping hole to cool the radiator and oil cooler. The slots to each side have flexable ducting that direct cool air over the super-heated front break rotors.