1966 Shelby GT350 #SFM6S1701
A couple of very close friends of mine, Steve Kepley and Jerry Schreurs, called me late on a Sunday afternoon back in 1982 to let me know about an advertisement in the Memphis newspaper for a 1966 Shelby GT350. They both went to look at the car and determined that it was indeed a real, numbers matching Shelby. Neither were in a position to buy the car and I happened to be “next in line” for the purchase. I talked my Dad into a trip out to examine the car. Just out of college, I was not exactly in a good position to purchase the car so I had to “educate” my Father on the attributes of a Shelby Mustang and its future potential to secure a loan to buy the car all while quickly driving to the car’s location.
Fortunately, I was able to convince my Father that the Shelby would be a good investment and he provided the funding for the purchase. The car was totally solid and rust free, however, it was painted dark green, had a huge Mopar double hood scoop and a red, white and blue “Big Daddy” Don Garlits tachometer mounted to the dash. On the plus side, it did have the original Hi-po engine and most of the original parts.
I completed the restoration in 1986 and it has been a fun and exciting car to own, show and drive. I sold my 1966 Mustang Convertible and a few other project cars to pay back the loan to my Father. The car is now dedicated to him and his faith in me and my then unknown restoration skills.
