1965 Shelby GT350 Mustang Roadster Prototype by OVC

A very rare 1965 Shelby GT350 Roadster by OVC (Original Venice Crew) arriving at the 2024 San Marino Motor Classic at Lacy Park. Based on a 1965-1966 Ford Mustang, the Roadster is licensed by Shelby American and was engineered by Jim Marietta with input from Ted Sutton. It features styling updates by Shelby American designer Pete Brock and a tonneau cover designed by Camilo Pardo, chief designer of the 2005 Ford GT. This example is a prototype finished in Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue racing stripes and was featured on Jay Leno's Garage. Production of the GT350 Roadster is limited to 24 units with a starting price of $289,000.

There's no doubt the GT350 is an iconic, historically significant, and highly desirable car. But in today's world where most high-performance model variants are available in both open and closed configurations, one can't help but consider the possibility of enjoying the original '65-'66 Shelby-badged Mustang with wind blowing overhead. (A factory convertible wasn't offered until later, and only in small numbers.) Brock and Pardo did a great job of giving this Roadster visual flair beyond simply having its roof chopped off while implementing a design that looks like it could have been made in the '60s. This car is more of a restomod than a continuation model, but given its rarity and build quality, not to mention the significance of the team behind it, it's certainly a special car that speaks to the heart of Shelby enthusiasts. Only time will tell if enough of those enthusiasts will fork up around $300K to add one to their garages!

Would you pay $289,000 to own one of OVC's GT350 Roadsters? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!