World’s Most Original 1965 ‘Advanced Prototype’ Shelby Mustang GT350
December 2020 • By Tony Thacker
Presented by USAutomotive.co.uk & RatTrapRacing.com
The story of the Shelby Mustang has been told many times, needless to say, Ol’ Shel’ ordered a bunch of Wimbledon White fastback Mustangs to turn into racecars. Those first cars were used for development and known as ‘Advanced Prototype’ or ‘AP’ cars and SFM5013 is one of maybe 15 APs.
The iconic John Christy, editor of Sports Car Graphic magazine and known as the ‘Godfather of the Cobra,’ because of all the enthusiastic articles he wrote extolling its virtues, changed the game when he pitched Shelby American the idea of an extended road test of the new GT350. He started his article for the June 1965 issue saying; “This report marks a first… it isn’t easy to get a manufacturer to turn loose a car for the extensive testing we had in mind.” Christy’s unique and rare extended story was titled: “10,000 Mile Road Test, SHELBY MUSTANG 350 GT.” Yes, 10,000 miles.
In the story Christy commented, “We fell in love with the Shelby Mustang 350 GT.” He went on to say, “All in all, the Shelby Mustang proved to be one of the most reliable sports cars we have tested.” To paraphrase the advertising of Remington’s Victor Kermit Kiam II, Christy was so inspired he purchased this ‘official publicity car’ car from Shelby American. Or, at least, he tried to. Unfortunately, the car he tested, SFM5007, was not available but another media car, SFM5013, likewise designated by Shelby American as an Advanced Prototype and used in a poster campaign was completed January 25, 1965.
Picked up by Hi-Performance Motors in Los Angeles on May 20, 1965, SFM5013 was purchased by Christy on May 24. As much as he loved it, Christy cannot have driven it very much because it still only has 6,950 original miles on the odometer.
In 1989, Ernie and Elaine Nagamatsu, owners of Old Yeller II, purchased 013 sight-unseen from a friend. They then put the car away, covered it up and barely touched it for 30 years—certainly didn’t drive it at all. It was recently taken out of storage, spruced up by JimmyShine.com and will go to Mecum Auctions at Kissimmee, FL, January 7-17, 2021.
With such a low production number and minimal miles, this has to be one of the most original, unmolested Shelby GT350s in the world.
Vehicle: 1965 Shelby Mustang ‘AP’
Mileage: 6,950 original miles
Color: Wimbledon White with blue striping
Owner: Ernie & Elaine Nagamatsu
• Engine: HiPo 289/306 HP V-8 engine
• Intake: Cobra aluminum high-rise
• Carb: Special built racing Holley 715 CFM 4-bbl
• Valve covers: Cobra Powered by Ford aluminum
• Exhaust: Tri-Y headers and side exhaust
• Trans: Borg Warner 4-speed manual
• Rear end: 9 inch with 3.89 gears and Detroit Locker
• Location: Traction bars
• Shocks: Koni adjustable
• Brakes: Discs front, drums rear
•Trunk-mounted Autolite battery
• Wheels: Shelby-Cragar 15-inch, a $273 option in 1965
• Tires: 7.75 x 15 Goodyear Blue Dot
