Page 66 - Barrett-Jackson_Experience_Spring2021

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manifold, welded-tube headers and cast-aluminum
valve-rocker covers – power enough to deliver 306
horsepower. The engine was mated to the original all- Mid-America Ford and Shelby Meet in 2017. In 2018, the
aluminum BorgWarner T10M 4-speed manual gearbox,
and routed power through the factory-installed 3.89:1
Detroit Locker differential.
Shelby #5S553 was factory-equipped with blue LeMans
stripes over the customary Wimbledon White finish,
Shelby/Cragar 15x6 alloy wheels, Goodyear Blue-Dot
tires, 15-inch wood steering wheel and the California- 1965 Shelby GT350.
required rear exit exhaust. All the pertinent stamped
and cast numbers remained undisturbed, as well as the
untouched period-correct interior. This was the oft- person viewing of this remarkable vehicle far surpasses
romanticized, seldom-realized barn find, a monumental
discovery in the truest sense.
Jackson, the new owner, would serve as the force behind
the plan and the team to make this Shelby GT350 a top
contender for best in the world. The restoration work
was assigned to noted Shelby American Automobile
Club (SAAC) member and Head Judge John Brown
of Thoroughbred Restorations in Oklahoma City. The
66 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE SPRING 2021
OUR GOAL AT THE TIME OF RESTORATION WAS TO SPARE
NO EXPENSE WHATSOEVER AND MAKE 5S553 THE FINEST
RESTORED EXAMPLE OF THE BREED ANYWHERE
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restoration began with assistance from Barrett-Jackson
shop foreman and Mustang specialist Jason Aker. With
oversight from Barrett-Jackson Vehicle Logistics Manager
Jeff Catlin, Aker and Brown would set to work, intent on
perfection and documenting every step of disassembly
with high-resolution digital photographs to ensure
authenticity.
The original drivetrain was pulled and all original
components were rebuilt or, if deemed subpar, replaced
with correctly date-coded original parts. Every detail
was fastidiously gone over; no bolt left unchecked or
stone unturned. The GT350 was stripped bare to the
metal, examined and reassembled by the very best in
the industry. In all, more than 2,000 man-hours were
invested.
“Our goal at the time of restoration was to spare no
expense whatsoever and make 5S553 the finest restored
example of the breed anywhere,” Jackson said. The goal
was also to dominate SAAC Division One competition in
search of three “perfect” scores, making the car a “triple-
crown” winner in the Shelby world.
The car was first awarded Gold in Division One at the
GT350 captured Mustang Club of America (MCA) Gold
in the Thoroughbred Class as well as the Premier Award
from the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) at
SAAC-43. A new legend was born. What’s more is that
5S553 would also take home the highly sought-after
Authenticity Award from the Mustang Club of America,
marking the first time the honor was ever bestowed on a
While a picture may be worth a thousand words, an in-
what can be described. And yet the final chapter of this
astonishing GT350 saga has not been written. Shelby
5S553’s storied history will continue in Scottsdale, when
one lucky bidder will take home this best-of-the-best
Shelby Mustang and experience the excitement that only
Barrett-Jackson can deliver.
– Eric Becker
For up-to-date information on this vehicle, visit Barrett-Jackson.com