Interesting story on this car heading to BJ.
https://youtu.be/FZfJ6mFWSlI
I want it - Randy needs some competition at the Convention drags.
I don't think the 2 piece rear wheels are period.
Performance Associates was the go to place for drag race Fords in the 60s (which is why SA chose them to build their GT350 drag cars). Les Ritchey campaigned his own A/FX Mustang and prepped all the SoCal cars for Downtown Motors, Mel Burns and Russ Davis. He ran his car under the Mel Burns banner until he was killed at Fontana in 66.
5S242
https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1965-FORD-SHELBY-GT350-251296 (https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1965-FORD-SHELBY-GT350-251296)
Description:
Lot #1395 - Shelby's GT350 was conceived for SCCA B-Production road racing, but it was also a potential "Corvette Killer" on the drag strip. In early 1965, Don McCain, Shelby's national sales director, conceived a drag-racing GT350, working with Ford racing expert Les Ritchey's Performance Associates. This 1965 Shelby GT350, SFM 5S242, was delivered to Mel Burns Ford in Long Beach and tagged as a showroom car and demonstrator at the urging of Shelby American and then sold on January 22, 1966, to San Jose racer Jerry Mendes, who immediately sent it to Performance Associates for the drag unit upgrades. Stamped "GT6" on the engine, transmission and rear end, 5S242 remained with Mendes until 2013. While eight GT350 drag cars were previously known, 5S242 is in fact the sixth drag racing Shelby GT350 built at Performance Associates. The parts and precision work added $1,494.63 to the GT350's cost; all original take-off items were returned to Mendes and remain with the car today. Mendes either drove or flat-towed the car to races at Sacramento, Fremont and Carlsbad, reaching 12.38 seconds at 110.83 mph and setting an NHRA class record. The car saw limited use after the NHRA combined Sport Stock and Super Stock classes for 1968, and it was stored at 6,455 miles from 1971 until 2013 when the consignor, a die-hard Shelby enthusiast and collector, purchased it directly from Mendes with the condition of keeping the car as raced. Never wet, at least since Mendes' purchase, 5S242 retains the original paint, plus factory overspray. While stored since 1971, Mendes kept the GT350 registered yearly, and the annual registration stickers and original CA title are included, plus the original invoices, documents and correspondence from Shelby, Mel Burns Ford and Performance Associates, along with the original owner's manual, racing trophies, awards and articles on GT350 drag cars in general - including a 2013-dated Mustang Monthly article on 5S242 specifically. Never restored, 5S242 is an amazing, four-wheeled document of Shelby history with showstopping, investment-grade originality, affirmed in Shelby circles by achievement of the SAAC-38 Premier Award and Concours Gold at SAAC-46.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/44-110122162229.jpeg)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/44-110122162304.jpeg)
I wish they started it in the video. It sounds awesome! Was lucky to get to see it this past summer at SAAC 46.
Bid to $500,000 last year, but didn't sell - https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0121-444956/1965-shelby-gt350-fastback/ (https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0121-444956/1965-shelby-gt350-fastback/)
I too am wondering about the "modern" PS engineering rear wheels ( just like I have on 6S477) and the Coker REPRODUCTION rear tires that were not used in '65 and a concours gold award. The car IS a wonderful ''survivor" with TREMENDOUS documentation BUT with allot of owner ''updates". When Jerry brought it out of "hiding" twenty years ago it had Cragar "Super Trick" aluminum wheels and thirty year old ( not safe) Firestone slicks unlike what is on it now. It ran in the 13's at Sears Point when I raced against it. It did have more potential ( probably low 12's IF it would have has safer tires). On a modern track , it would probably break the aluminum T10 first , followed by the driver's side axle as they are still 28 spline. Remember too this was "sold" as a street car and Joe took it to immediately Les's shop for conversion , not "sold " as a "drag unit".
If you want to see two "concours" drag unit restorations check out the ones at the Segerstrom Museum. THEY are correct in every detail including genuine Casler recap slicks like they were sold with.
Randy - and this will be the unprecedented 48th year of continuous drag racing 6S477
In reply #1, 2nd pic, Ritchey with his rides from a magazine, is that a Tiger between the two boats ? road race car or 1/4 miler ?
Mike
YES Mike that is a Tiger. It was raced by then magazine writer Gordon Chittenden. Yes Les was not partial to any brand.
Randy
Was this car at the SAAC convention in Sonoma 2021?
Quote from: SCJSTU on January 11, 2022, 08:33:05 PM
Was this car at the SAAC convention in Sonoma 2021?
Yes it was there.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/44-110122213620.jpeg)
Quote from: gt350hr on January 11, 2022, 04:39:57 PMIf you want to see two "concours" drag unit restorations check out the ones at the Segerstrom Museum. THEY are correct in every detail including genuine Casler recap slicks like they were sold with.
Here is their 66 - is the other a 65?
I really like cars with well executed day 2 mods made "in period", but did not realize they are eligible to earn SAAC concours gold? Is it because those changes were made by Performance Associates upon being purchased?
Quote from: sfm5 on January 11, 2022, 10:21:52 PM
I really like cars with well executed day 2 mods made "in period", but did not realize they are eligible to earn SAAC concours gold? Is it because those changes were made by Performance Associates upon being purchased?
http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=111.msg141955#msg141955 read post 169. ;)
Thanks Bob - I missed that thread.
I had the honor to see this car and spend some time with the owner at SAAC 46. The originality and documentation of its history was incredible! I hope he does really well with it at auction.
Quote from: sfm5 on January 11, 2022, 10:21:52 PM
I really like cars with well executed day 2 mods made "in period", but did not realize they are eligible to earn SAAC concours gold? Is it because those changes were made by Performance Associates upon being purchased?
We have a competition class that it was judged in, it wasn't entered in normal concours Div 1/2.
I was not aware of that - thanks Charles!
It said original paint. Isn't the rear 1/4 radius higher than the other car ?
There were two tire sizes used . The 750/850 Casler on the steel wheel fit the stock wheel opening and the larger 8.90-15 Casler capped Goodyear needed the reworked wheel opening like on Jerry's car because of it's larger diameter and width. I don't know who did the work on his car.
"I" ran ( on 6S240) an M&H that was wide but didn't need wheel well rework "in the day" . 6S477 has mildly reworked wheel openings now for modern Goodyear 10x28 tires
Quote from: gt350hr on January 13, 2022, 01:16:30 PM
There were two tire sizes used . The 750/850 Casler on the steel wheel fit the stock wheel opening and the larger 8.90-15 Casler capped Goodyear needed the reworked wheel opening ..... I don't know who did the work on his car.
The description says "converted to a drag racer for NHRA Sport Stock competition". Did that class allow for wheel well mods?
The invoice from Performance Associates only notes Casler slicks not the size - there are no additional wheels listed. Did both size slicks use the same width wheel? There is no notation for body work and I don't know if "build car to Shelby specs" included wheel well mods. This car seems to have gone to Perf Assoc directly from Mel Burns - but did SA do the wheel well mods on the factory drag cars before they went to Perf Assoc? It would make sense to do it inhouse to keep the costs down. Next time I see Jim Murietta I'll check and see if he did the drag cars. He did the R Model wheel wells and is still doing them on the continuation cars.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 11, 2022, 10:10:05 PM
Quote from: gt350hr on January 11, 2022, 04:39:57 PMIf you want to see two "concours" drag unit restorations check out the ones at the Segerstrom Museum. THEY are correct in every detail including genuine Casler recap slicks like they were sold with.
Here is their 66 - is the other a 65?
That is 6S018. Was an AHRA record holder for a short time. The other is 5S327 which was shipped from Shelby directly to Honolulu and stayed there until entire life until it came back to us to restore about five years ago. 018 had the optional traction bars and cam as well as the 890 Casler's. 327 did not have traction bars or the cam and have 750 Caslers. Both cars have heavy beat marks in the wheel wells for tire clearance. I also talk to Jerry Mendes (original owner) about the car going to auction and he said the first time they ran it down the dragstrip rubber was peeling off the slicks from hitting the wheel wells. It is a fantastic well documented car but with all due respect it is not a Shelby factory drag car. They were only eight produced. The Mendes brothers wanted one but weren't available so they bought this car directly from Shelby and then took it to Les Ritchie for the conversion. It was sold as a street car not a factory drag car
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 14, 2022, 06:08:40 PM
Quote from: gt350hr on January 13, 2022, 01:16:30 PM
There were two tire sizes used . The 750/850 Casler on the steel wheel fit the stock wheel opening and the larger 8.90-15 Casler capped Goodyear needed the reworked wheel opening ..... I don't know who did the work on his car.
The description says "converted to a drag racer for NHRA Sport Stock competition". Did that class allow for wheel well mods?
The invoice from Performance Associates only notes Casler slicks not the size - there are no additional wheels listed. Did both size slicks use the same width wheel? There is no notation for body work and I don't know if "build car to Shelby specs" included wheel well mods. This car seems to have gone to Perf Assoc directly from Mel Burns - but did SA do the wheel well mods on the factory drag cars before they went to Perf Assoc? It would make sense to do it inhouse to keep the costs down. Next time I see Jim Murietta I'll check and see if he did the drag cars. He did the R Model wheel wells and is still doing them on the continuation cars.
That is so great that Jim is around in 2022 doing work on the continuation R models
Yes 15x6 was used on all slicks , steel or Cragar , I saw both. The cars were usually tested at Irwindale or Lions before actual delivery. Whenever they showed up people took notice. I saw 5S360 through it's many changes too. I race against it one time only .
Delete 4.86 ? for what? The GT350 ran in "sports" class where "stock" didn't matter so wheel wells could be modified. This was a short lived NHRA class and the "performer" didn't fare well performance wise with it's 306 HP rating. It did better in AHRA classes but still not well enough to catch on and sell enough to be legal in NHRA "stock" or Super Stock where Don McCain thought it would do well. The AHRA class was Formula 1 Sports /X and there were 6 subclasses A through F. I held the F1S/XE class record for about 20 minutes (LOL) back in the early '70s with 6S240 when it was Paxton supercharged @ 11.41 and 124 mph . After my "celebration" a Corvette in the class ran 11.35 and took it away from me 20 minutes later. Celebration over.
Yes I was a drag race "junkie".
Yes I guess I'm a life timer. Drag strips can't open soon enough for me. 55 years of doing and haven't missed one yet
Quote from: gt350hr on January 13, 2022, 01:16:30 PM
There were two tire sizes used . The 750/850 Casler on the steel wheel fit the stock wheel opening and the larger 8.90-15 Casler capped Goodyear needed the reworked wheel opening like on Jerry's car because of it's larger diameter and width. I don't know who did the work on his car.
"I" ran ( on 6S240) an M&H that was wide but didn't need wheel well rework "in the day" . 6S477 has mildly reworked wheel openings now for modern Goodyear 10x28 tires
You mean Lewayne's car. But what I'm trying to wrap my mind around is why would Lewayne Musselwhite buy the car just to turn around and sell it? Is he hoping that the auction will net him a huge profit? Did he buy the car from Jerry Mendez at a very low price and Mendez knows that Musselwhite is trying to make a huge profit? Hmmmm.
Quote from: 69mach351w on January 17, 2022, 12:34:35 PM
Quote from: gt350hr on January 13, 2022, 01:16:30 PM
There were two tire sizes used . The 750/850 Casler on the steel wheel fit the stock wheel opening and the larger 8.90-15 Casler capped Goodyear needed the reworked wheel opening like on Jerry's car because of it's larger diameter and width. I don't know who did the work on his car.
"I" ran ( on 6S240) an M&H that was wide but didn't need wheel well rework "in the day" . 6S477 has mildly reworked wheel openings now for modern Goodyear 10x28 tires
You mean Lewayne's car. But what I'm trying to wrap my mind around is why would Lewayne Musselwhite buy the car just to turn around and sell it? Is he hoping that the auction will net him a huge profit? Did he buy the car from Jerry Mendez at a very low price and Mendez knows that Musselwhite is trying to make a huge profit? Hmmmm.
Lewayne has owned that car for more then a few years so it is not any kind of a quick flip.
Quote from: Bob Gaines on January 17, 2022, 12:55:42 PM
Quote from: 69mach351w on January 17, 2022, 12:34:35 PM
Quote from: gt350hr on January 13, 2022, 01:16:30 PM
There were two tire sizes used . The 750/850 Casler on the steel wheel fit the stock wheel opening and the larger 8.90-15 Casler capped Goodyear needed the reworked wheel opening like on Jerry's car because of it's larger diameter and width. I don't know who did the work on his car.
"I" ran ( on 6S240) an M&H that was wide but didn't need wheel well rework "in the day" . 6S477 has mildly reworked wheel openings now for modern Goodyear 10x28 tires
You mean Lewayne's car. But what I'm trying to wrap my mind around is why would Lewayne Musselwhite buy the car just to turn around and sell it? Is he hoping that the auction will net him a huge profit? Did he buy the car from Jerry Mendez at a very low price and Mendez knows that Musselwhite is trying to make a huge profit? Hmmmm.
Lewayne has owned that car for more then a few years so it is not any kind of a quick flip.
Thanks for clarification. I was just going by the title of the YT video with the year 2022 in the title.
I've seen this car in his shop up here in Edmonton along with his (now sold) double digit 65 GT 350. He has a shop called Shelby Canada West and is quite the car guy. He is also a very nice guy and takes time to chat with all the people that come to his shop when he around.
Philip
It sure changed since he bought it years ago.
Quote from: gt350hr on January 17, 2022, 06:27:02 PM
It sure changed since he bought it years ago.
Do you mean the lightening holes that the first owner put in many brackets etc?
No I mean the Cragar Super Trick wheels came of and the large aluminum carb plenum came off. The hood scoop looks a little different than when I raced against it at Sonoma in 2001 or so. Some other under the hood stuff is different. All the changes are obviously meant to make it more period and I appreciate that . It seems to be represented as a "time capsule" , and "I" feel differently. I have done some similar modifications to my Hertz car because I like the look , but it is not a time capsule ''before 1974'' when I bought it from the owner after Hertz. This will be the 48th year of me racing the hell out of it.
Best of luck on the sale.
I was at his shop shortly after it arrived and took a lot of photo's. Ill see if i can find them and post. Randy, I showed this on the BOSS 302 website, are you referring to those pictures I took back then?
http://www.boss302.com/smf/index.php?topic=75610.msg501630#msg501630
Philip
No , I was referring to when Jerry brought it out to the NorCal MiniNats many years ago when he still owned it. They literally aired the tires , put in a battery and fresh gas to bring it out and race. The rear tires were not safe and it had horrible wheel hop when the driver dumped the clutch on the first attempt. When I raced against it they asked if I would try and keep it "close" but I was well over two seconds faster and drove away from it. I don't think it has "raced" since. I on the other hand have raced mine every year for the last 47 , soon to be 48 years I have owned it.
Randy
Hey, Randy, all, does anyone have some clear close up photos of the ladder bars and how they were mounted to the chassis? My 5S243 was also drag raced and there are remnants of weldments on the chassis that I wonder about. Thanks
I believe Tim Lea does. He is out here in CA for the moment. Just a quick correction. The bars "in the day" were called ''lift bars or lift chassis" as they were made out of rectangular tubing and literally "lifted" the rear of the car in the air when the clutch was dumped. These were heavy as you can imagine and when Logghe built the first ''flip top" funny car for Dyno Don (rip) they used lighter , smaller diameter round tubing for the bars and they resembled a ladder . Several aftermarket manufacturers made that design and called them that.
An original lift bar setup would have a square tubing cross member as the front attaching point for the bars. If you post a picture or two I can tell you if it is correct. I have seen some internet pictures of "independent" GT350s with the original looking lift bars. They were not needed on cars like mine with an automatic. When I raced 6S240 ( 4speed) I kept the stock over rides and severely clamped the front half of the spring as "I" didn't like how hard the lift bars rode on the street. That was the reason I quit racing 6S240 as I twisted the housing off of the spring perches which could have been disasterous. If I had run lift bars that would not have happened.
Randy
These are Les Ritchey's design.
Yes those were a copy of the ones on his H&M built A/FX Mustang. "Some" of the SAI conversions used the actual H&M kits and this one obviously was one that Les's shop made. It is interesting that the writer is the same Gordon Chittenden that ran the drag race Tiger out of Les's shop.
Randy
Sold for $528K (inc buyer's fee).
Was a no sale last year @500 ( before fees) at Mecum . Seller paid 48 in fees and 1,800 for indoor storage . Mecum might have been a better deal after all. Not being invoiced "from SAI" as a drag unit held it back ( IMHO) despite the outstanding documentation and original owner being present.
Randy