Shelby GT350H Is a Rare, Rusty Gem Waiting for Restoration
One-owner Shelby GT350H backyard find succumbed to 40 years of harsh elements in Ohio woods, but is still salvageable.
The Shelby GT350H represented one of the most interesting partnerships in automotive history. A special edition Mustang enthusiasts could rent for a very reasonable price? Basically, nothing like that existed before Ford rolled out the program. Over fifty years later, everyone knows their value, and the low production numbers practically guarantee that every survivor will be worth saving.
One particular example recently made a splash on YouTube. Automotive journalist Jerry Heasley chronicled the tale of a 1966 Shelby GT350H that’s been left outside in Mount Vernon, Ohio. With production capped at just over 1,000 units, this particular example is among a precious few still in existence. Fortunately, a team filled with expert Shelby restorers descended upon the rural Ohio farm to rescue the GT350H and their work bore fruit. Despite decades of rust doing its best to completely destroy the Shelby, it is salvageable.
Shelby GT350H Left Outside
Forty years of Mother Nature’s wrath clearly damaged the Shelby GT350H. It’s unfortunate that the family decided to neglect it for so long. But they absolutely deserve credit for initiating the restoration process. Rick Parker, owner of Boss Cars, lead the rescue effort. Initially, it didn’t seem like the GT350H could be salvaged and everyone had their doubts about the project. “This has been outside so long that you know, what is the value of this car?” says Parker. Heasley, who basically serves as the narrative of this quasi-documentary, notes that thieves failed to take anything from the GT350H. That’s because it sat well outside any populated areas. Definitely a positive aspect of the project.
The situation the team faced wasn’t ideal. It sat outside in the dirt for a significantly long time. “Our Shelby has far more than its tires sunk into the dirt. The rear axle and differential are planted into the ground. And the same thing for the front suspension…it’s planted,” says Heasley. Fortunately, the family member’s father purchased a whole host of GT350H parts over the years and they sat in the garage. Parker and team expressed a healthy amount of surprise at all the stock parts they saw.
Rusted, But Not a Lost Cause
Ultimately, the Shelby GT350H is salvageable. Needless to say, that’s an impressive conclusion given the car’s time spent outdoors in the harsh Ohio climate. Everyone involved worked hard and the team’s idea to put the Shelby on a dolly enabled them to put it on the flatbed. The Shelby GT350H rotted so much they wanted to make sure it didn’t break apart.
Their caution clearly paid off and they successfully got the Shelby back to the shop. Heasley then met Parker back at Boss Cars to talk about his assessment of the GT350H. “The valuable parts like the original 4100 Ford carburetor is still on the car. The factory dual point distributor is there. If you look close you can see the aluminum Cobra intake except where the animals is laid and did some things, and the valve covers are the original valve covers,” says Parker.
Interior Restoration
Basically, the body deteriorated badly and the floor pan, rear quarter panels, deck lid, and other parts are lost to rust. Parker admitted much of the car needs completely new parts. But the car is significant as a Shelby GT350H and a family heirloom. “As rusty as it is and as ugly as it is there’s so much good here,” says Parker. “At the end of the day the Shelby is completely genuine and that’s worth something,” added Parker.
It’s an absolute miracle that this Shelby GT350H survived long enough to be salvageable. Fortunately, it seems like it’s in the right hands too. We look forward to hearing about the restoration over the next several years. Make sure you watch the whole video to get a good look at the condition of the Shelby.