Author Topic: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership  (Read 6540 times)

Bill Collins

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SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« on: March 31, 2021, 11:17:32 PM »
On March 31, 1971, 50 years ago today, I purchased my 65 GT350 serial 006. I had wanted one of these cars ever since seeing one in the film Red Line 7000 in 1965, but being in my mid teens at the time, an actual purchase had to wait.

I bought 006 from Ned Beshore. Ned, along with his brother Scott, each owned a '65 350 (Scott had 5S200) plus they had '66 GT350H, 6S819, which they were running as an SCCA hill climb car. They wanted to buy a Cobra to race, which required that the Hertz plus one of the '65's be sold to fund the acquisition. They arbitrarily picked 006 to sell, and put it out on their father and uncle's used car lot, where I spotted it during one of my frequent visits, as they were good friends of mine. I asked them what serial number it was, to which they replied "Oh, it's number 500- something". So I cannot lay claim to be being savvy in that regard, it was just dumb luck that it was 006.

They were asking $2300 and I managed to negotiate that down to $1900. I only had about $1000 in cash, so I went to two finance companies on the same day, borrowed $500 from each of them and got the car. They later sold the Hertz and purchased CSX2566, which raced under the name "Snake Express".

I thrashed 006 for the first ten years I owned it - street raced it, outran the cops in it, had romantic encounters in it, all the things 20-somethings do to their cars. I later installed a Boss 302 engine and drag raced it for a while. In 1980, I decided to return it to street trim and take it to SAAC 5 (the original engine and driveline had been pulled and saved). Unfortunately, I didn't complete it in time, so I shoved it into the garage with the thought "I'll get back to this later" and rode off to the Dearborn convention with some friends.

"Later" turned out to be 30 years. The family homestead was put up for sale in 2010, so 006 was losing its storage. I decided it was time to get it back on the road. Off it went to a trusted mechanic friend. and not long after I was driving it again.

So to celebrate the day, I thought a little photographic history would be appropriate:
The first photo is the January '65 press preview at Riverside Raceway - 006 is one of the cars in that lineup - but I don't know which one!

The second photo is the first owner with 006 on the day he bought it, March 5, 1965 at the Baltimore Auto Show. The sign on the roof reads "The meanest of Mustangs  - Cobra GT350"

The third photo is yours truly with 006 about eight months after I bought it. A plan to restage this photo today at the same location was thwarted by heavy rain.

But it doesn't melt when it gets wet - The last photo is in the rain at the 2014 50th Anniversary of the Mustang show at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

006 retains a rough and ready look - some would say "patina" - I call it "experience". I  have been asked if I intend to restore it, to which I reply "H--l no, it took me 50 years to get it looking like this!" Besides, it's more fun to drive it as it is.

So Happy Anniversary, 006 ! I hope to keep enjoying you for years to come.



Enthusiast since 1965, SAAC charter member since 1975 and Regional Rep since 1985, GT350 Owner since 1971, 289 Cobra owner 1979-2016, Ford GT owner 2006 - 2017

2112

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2021, 11:22:59 PM »
Impressive feat.

Fantastic story.

2112

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2021, 11:29:03 PM »
First owner's girlfriend is eyeballing It thinking I better be getting a ring out of this transaction.   ;D

Don Johnston

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2021, 11:31:11 PM »
This would be a great expanded story to put in an issue of the "Shelby American". 8)

JD

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2021, 11:44:34 PM »
Bill Congratulations - well done!
'67 Shelby Headlight Bucket Grommets https://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=254.0
'67 Shelby Lower Grille Edge Protective Strip https://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=1237.0

silverton_ford

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2021, 12:54:29 AM »
Awesome!  Thank you for sharing.

Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2021, 01:51:20 AM »
Congrats on the 50 years, I’ll have my car, 6S1431 50 years this December
I saw your car at Pittsburgh, it’s such a great piece of Shelby history, thanks for sharing
Owned since 1971, now driven over 245,000 miles, makes me smile every time I drive it and it makes me feel 21 again.😎

hertzz350

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2021, 06:27:29 AM »
Great story and pictures bill. Thank you for posting!
current owner of 6s689
Previous owner of 6s1855 ,6s1297,6s731

whiteykr

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2021, 06:46:42 AM »
Thanks for sharing Bill.I love to hear longtime Shelby ownership.
Brad

bluemax

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2021, 07:18:27 AM »
Thank you for sharing such a great story... I love this kind of stuff especially all of the old pictures.
6S235

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #10 on: April 01, 2021, 07:55:58 AM »
Congratulations Bill!  And here you are in SFM5 006 at Hershey in 1977.  Cool sunglasses.
Roy Simkins
http://www.S-TechEnt.com/Shelby.htm
1966 G.T.350H SFM6S817
1967 G.T.500 67400F7A03040

Cobrask8

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #11 on: April 01, 2021, 08:08:22 AM »
Great Milestone Bill! Hell yes, keep it as is!

stangman39

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #12 on: April 01, 2021, 08:20:50 AM »
Thanks for sharing!  Enjoyed reading it and seeing the pics!

68blk500c

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #13 on: April 01, 2021, 08:38:15 AM »
Congratulations, Bill.  Great story.  I have the pleasure of being acquainted with you and your car. 
Don

sfm5

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Re: SFM5006 50th Anniversary of ownership
« Reply #14 on: April 01, 2021, 08:39:23 AM »
I always enjoy reading stories of early owners, and the circumstances leading to their ownership of these great cars. It seems every car has a great story, thanks for sharing yours!
65 GT350