Page 104 - Experience_Magazine_Winter2022_Barrett-Jackson

The parts and precision work by GT350’s amazing provenance, it true showstopper to Shelby fans,
Performance Associates added comes with original documentation, it was rightly honored with the
$1,494.63 to the GT350’s cost, including ownership and SAAC-38 Premier Award in 2013
and all original take-off parts California title records, plus Shelby and Concours Gold at SAAC-46 in
were returned to Mendes, who American, Mel Burns Ford and 2021. Simply put, this GT350 is an
either drove or flat-towed the Performance Associates invoices exceptional four-wheeled historical
car to drag races at California’s and correspondence. Now known document on every possible level.
Sacramento, Fremont and Carlsbad to the Shelby faithful after so many – David C. Neyens
strips. Mendes added further years, the story of this spectacularly For up-to-date information on this vehicle,
race preparations to the GT350, original and as-raced quarter-mile visit Barrett-Jackson.com
including surgeon-like weight warrior was featured by Mustang
reduction worthy of Ford’s famed Monthly magazine in 2013. A
racing operations. Mendes’ efforts
worked magically, including
achievement of a low ET of 12.38
seconds at 110.83 mph and setting
an NHRA class record while the car
was actively campaigned. Following
retirement, the GT350 was placed
into storage with just 6,455
miles from 1971 to 2013, when
the consignor, a die-hard Shelby
enthusiast and collector, purchased
it directly from Mendes, strictly
conditional on the car remaining
in “as raced” condition. Never wet,
at least since Mendes purchased
the car in early 1966 to the
present day, SFM5S242 retains the
factory-original Wimbledon White
paint finish, down to the factory
assembly-line overspray it retains in
various nooks and crannies.
Throughout his nearly 50 years
of ownership, Mendes kept the
GT350 road-registered annually.
To anybody wondering about this

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A TRUE SHOWSTOPPER TO SHELBY FANS, IT
WAS RIGHTLY HONORED WITH THE SAAC-38
PREMIER AWARD IN 2013 AND CONCOURS
GOLD AT SAAC-46 IN 2021.
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104 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE WINTER 2022