Ground Up Built Shelby GT350 Conv Tribute 331 Stroker V8 5spd Air Conditioning

More often than not, the sad thing about owning a documented collector car is that you have to lock it in a bubble and drive it with the haste of a Brass Era survivor. Because of an innate aversion to that sort of 'fine print', many enthusiasts are beginning to rethink the old purist's adage: “original is always better”. And hobbyists who actually enjoy driving their vintage hardware are beginning to buy slick, fully sorted classics like this cool Shelby GT350 tribute. Featuring a killer 331/5-speed drivetrain that's centered in a professionally restored shell, this drop-top will make you the star of your own 1-car parade!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Carroll Shelby's famed GT line fueled the muscle car fire by introducing some of the coolest and most aggressive Mustang design cues ever created. And, mixing era-correct cosmetics with a killer stance, this striking Ford, restored by Muscle Car Restoration of Claremore, Oklahoma, definitely stokes the flames! During its careful reboot, the car's solid sheetmetal was completely stripped, carefully worked and dressed in a full array of Shelby-style fiberglass. Eventually, that profile was coated in crisp Burgundy Pearl 2-stage, capped in fresh canvas and finished with clean side stripes. And the result is one razor-sharp pony that looks good, runs great and is poised to turn heads for years to come!

ENGINE

Hoist the car's lightweight bonnet and you'll find 331 cubic inches of Ford small block that utilizes forged pistons and high quality roller rockers to twist big compression into impressive, tire-shredding horsepower. At the top of that stroked mill, a big Cobra air cleaner funnels oxygen through a 670cfm Quick Fuel carburetor, which is sequenced between braided fuel lines and an electric choke. A resulting air/fuel mixture makes its way from an Edelbrock Air Gap intake to aluminum Edelbrock heads, which hide under polished breathers and polished Ford Racing valve covers. When those heads flood the cylinders, a traditional points distributor sequences spark between a spry Flame-Thrower coil and 9mm Taylor Firepower plug wires. Spent gases roar through ceramic-coated long-tube headers. Cooling is provided by a lightweight aluminum radiator, which rides in front of an Edelbrock water pump and two electric puller fans. CVF serpentine components spin a polished Tuff Stuff alternator opposite a polished AC compressor. And overall, the car's smooth engine bay is exceptionally well done, from its bright shock tower brace all the way to its Moroso high capacity oil pan.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Behind that snarling small block, a tough Tremec 5-speed spins a proven Ford 9-inch, which twists 3.50 gears inside a Traction Lok differential. Turns come courtesy of factory power steering. Braking is factory as well, with power-assisted discs leading power-assisted drums. The aforementioned headers dump spent gases in to aluminized pipes, which employ throaty Flowmaster mufflers and polished stainless tips. And everything rolls on correct Shelby 10-spokes, which twist 225/60R15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As up front and 235/60R15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As out back.

INTERIOR

Open the door to this awesome Mustang and you'll find a fully restored cockpit that mixes the best elements of Ford's Black vinyl interior with choice customization. Front-and-center, factory buckets stretch tight TMI covers over fresh TMI memory foam. In front of those seats, an aluminum-trimmed dash hangs stylish Classic Instruments telemetry over Old Air Products AC and modern, direct-fit audio. Below that dash, a TMI console anchors a booted Hurst shifter in front of dual cupholders. And in front of the driver, a wood-rimmed steering wheel laps an ornate Shelby horn button.

There's simply nothing like keying up a legendary muscle car, especially when it's a Shelby. If you're looking for some highly desirable metal that'll provide years of weekend fun, here's your next classic!

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SUMMARY

* The beneficiary of a detailed, professional restoration
* 331 cubic inch Ford V8
* Tremec 5-speed manual transmission
* Old Air Products air conditioning
* Customized interior / Modern audio
* Ford 9-inch rear axle / Traction Lok differential / 3.50 gears
* Factory power steering
* Factory power front disc and rear drum brakes
* 15-inch Shelby 10-spoke wheels
* Burgundy Pearl paint / Black canvas top