By Dean Larson

Photos: Sellers, Craigslist

If the notion of a notchback Shelby Mustang strikes you as unusual, you’re not alone, as it’s the iconic Fastback Mustang that comes to mind most often. But there’s actually historical pretense here, as two notchback Shelby Mustangs were built in the 1960s. In fact, one was just recently discovered last year, a 1967 model known as Little Red, which you can read more about here. The other, a ’68 model dubbed the Green Hornet EXP-500, was fitted with an experimental independent rear suspension and is worth millions today.

And while it would have been fantastic to see this notchback pay tribute to Little Red, this is still a sweet little coupe. It’s powered by a recently-rebuilt 302, topped by finned accessories.

The exterior of the Mustang wears ten-spoke Shelby wheels and a brilliant bright blue paint, likely something akin to Q-code Brittany Blue Poly. Shelby script and GT350 stripes make a convincing statement, but it’s hard to pass the missing period in G.T.350.

At $37,500, this notchback Mustang has a great look. Check it out here on Los Angeles Craigslist.

The most exciting and raw of all Shelby Mustangs, the 1965 Shelby GT350 was the smallest and lightest iteration. The cars started as standard K-code 289 cars, modified with high-riser intake manifolds, 715 cfm Holley carburetors, headers and Kelsey-Hayes discs up front. With 306 hp on tap, even the road-going GTs were mean machines, while the track-oriented GT350R held the B-Production championship for three years.

It’s impossible to top perfection, and we’re ecstatic to see this GT350 clone looking exactly as it should, with Wimbledon White, Guardsman Blue and the early five-spoke Shelby alloys. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find other details to be in order, such as the 45-degree under-car exhaust, hood scoop and cast oil pan.

A correct 289 HiPo engine lives under the hood, but we were a little surprised to find a Cruise-O-Matic transmission backing it up. We’re not aware of any automatic GT350s for ’65, and it’s a little surprising to find on such a thorough build, but to each their own.

The interior of the Mustang is a knockout, boasting a wood-rimmed wheel and the Shelby-installed tachometer and oil-pressure gauge on the dash. The odometer is reported to show just 1,369 miles covered since the car’s transformation.

Since an original 1965 Shelby GT350 is valued between $265,000 and $520,000, this clone is a reasonable catch at $52,000. See it here on South Florida Craigslist.

If you were to own an original 1965 Shelby GT350R, then you’d really have something — like a $700,000 to $1,000,000 something. With only 34 versions of the competition-ready R model built, values are downright insane, and if you own one, you’re probably not driving it often.

Enter this nut-and-bolt restored ’65 GT350R tribute. The car isn’t trying too hard to be an exact R tribute, and I think that’s what makes it cool. Its body obviously takes inspiration from the 350R, but it’s devoid of any script, numerals or badging of any kind. It’s sort of a clean-sheet approach, but close enough to get the point, without going overboard.

The paint scheme is very close, but you can tell the blue pops a bit more than the original. The gold steelies are indicative of the period, but not necessarily the most convincing choice. No matter, as they make their own statement entirely. The lack of bumpers, combined with the fiberglass front apron and specialty rear windshield reinforce the race car image, along with the hood pin on the trunk lid and tow hooks.

The Mustang’s interior is all business, stripped down in track car style. The gauges are an interesting choice in this application, but it’s more than made up for by the four-speed Hurst stick and Competition-Proven plaque.

The crown jewel of this car is really the engine though. We’re looking at a 302 V8 “high-nickel Mexico block” according to the seller, topped by a Holley carburetor and cast intake. The golden valve covers finish the message the steel wheels started, and the Holman-Moody air-cleaner is a subtle treasure. We’re also partial to the crab-style distributor cap, and the Ford radiator hoses and tall valve-cover breathers go the extra mile. Underneath the car, throwback Koni shocks, brake ducting and the golden Ford oil filter speak volumes. Clearly, the builders invested most of their funds beneath the surface.

Clearly, a fortune went into building this slick Shelby tribute, somewhat reflected in the price tag — $54,500. See it here on Boston Craigslist.

Which one of these Shelbys would I take home? That’s a tough call. I’m really drawn to the period appearance of the 1965 GT350, but upon further investigation, I’d have to have the 350R tribute.