As the auto world is in an endless cycle introducing new vehicle news, even the vintage car market is busy as well. The famed Shelby American GT350R #002, which sold for $4 million just a year ago, is coming back up for bid. This car’s history is truly rich. As the company prototype, it has been served a packed calendar of testing, development, and racing, taking the SCCA B-Product National Crown its very first year. 36 of the “racing” prepped versions were built, and amazingly enough several members of the original crew are building 36 continuation models under license from Shelby American.
Oddly enough, R002 was really R001, but when the crew went to install the Shelby American VIN plates back in 1965, they were told: "We’ve only got a couple so just sticker either one." Known today as the first prototype Shelby R-Model, its racing accomplishments are lengthy. Driven during development by a number of the now late famous Shelby Team drivers (Ken Miles, Bob Bondurent, Pete Brock, Chuck Cantwell, and Jerry Titus), it qualified for the SCCA National Championship held at Daytona Super Speedway at the end of 1965 where it went on to win the title against the famed Penske entry driven by Mark Donahue in a similar model. It bested the likes of Sunbeam Tigers, Chevy Corvettes and Jag's famous XKE, all driven by the best of the best in the era. Fully restored to exacting standards and approved by Shelby American, the whole automotive world waits to see what the winning bid will be.
OVC NEWS: If building stunning continuation GT350Rs wasn’t enough (each of which are Track Tested before being handed over to the customer), OVC has taken several era restoration projects, some of which are pretty famous in their own right. Case in point: the famous Mercury factory Comet that ran in the grueling Mexican Road Race and back to the U.S. to compete in West Coast National races. There is also a very special limited production early Mustang with that OVC/Shelby twist that will be revealed later this year.
OVC is introducing both its new YouTube and blog page. Watch for ongoing updates on the project cars, production, track testing, and coverage of the star-studded events the crew attends. You’ll be invited to shop tours, events, and of course track day activities. There is so much happening, so much history to share, and the thrill of building one of the world’s most valuable collector cars. OVC GT350Rs aren’t just close, they are exact and true to their legend.