Not only will the Shelby Mustang GT350 be remembered as one of the greatest pony cars ever created, but it will also be mentioned alongside the very best driver's cars of all time. It's a prime example of what a manufacturer – in this case, Ford – is capable of when it wants to change the game.
The GT350 wasn't built to be a one-trick pony like certain predecessors and rivals – it's not purely an untamed straight-line machine. Sure, it can be if you really provoke it, perhaps adding a supercharger to the equation, but there's a reason the automobile (in R form) won Road & Track's 2016 Performance Car Of The Year.
What's the reason? Well, it's a winning combination of many things us gearheads love to worship – to the point where the GT350 is a sure-fire future classic. Here are eight of them.
8 V8 Engine
Under the GT350's hood is a 5.2-liter V8 engine, however, it's a rather special one. The naturally aspirated motor has a flat-plane crank – a feature usually found in exotic supercar engines and one that helps the eight-cylinder reach an atmospheric redline of 8,250rpm. Ferrari likes to use flat-plane cranks in its V8s, so if that hasn't sold you, what will?
Well, maybe the motor's impressive 526bhp and 429lb-ft of torque. At the time of writing, it's Ford's most powerful naturally aspirated V8. This intoxicating engine alone is enough of a reason to love the GT350 and, with time, it should age like a fine wine.
7 Exhaust Note
While American V8s often sound sensational, the GT350's noise is otherworldly. It produces a mean, lion-like growl to it at idle, which then intensifies into an operatic roar as you accelerate.
Even before you reach the glorious 8250rpm redline, you'll be in muscle car heaven. The GT350's V8 and exhaust note are bound to be cherished by enthusiasts for decades to come.
6 Manual Gearbox
Unlike the new, automatic-only GT500, the GT350 solely comes with a six-speed manual. It's a glorious transmission – a purist's dream – and an absolute joy to operate, even if it may not be considered entirely perfect.
You see, some may criticize the GT350 for its long gearing – you can't even go to the top of second without exceeding all speed limits. This could hinder your enjoyment on the road, though it won't on track and, for most, it will probably serve as an extremely minor niggle in an otherwise sublime package.
5 Independent rear suspension
As with the S550 Mustang, the GT350 was the first of its 'Stang kind to receive an independent rear suspension. This setup is far more sophisticated than previous live axle ones, helping it handle brilliantly.
Though new Shelby Mustangs having independent rear suspension will be considered common as years go on, the GT350 will always be known as the car which ushered in a new age for the model's driving dynamics.
4 Performance
Despite the GT350 lacking the GT500's supercharger, 750bhp, and dual-clutch automatic transmission, it's still incredibly quick. Especially in regards to the R variant (pictured above), this Mustang is a track monster. It's got fantastic levels of balance and control, along with multitudes of grip.
The GT350 is capable of 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds, with the R reducing the time to 3.9 seconds. The top speed, on the other hand, is 173 mph. While none of these performance numbers are groundbreaking, the wonderfully dramatic way the car achieves them could be described as such.
3 Heritage
Ford must've known this particular pony car was something special because it was given a rather special name: the same name given to the very first Mustang developed by Carroll Shelby and launched in 1965 – GT350.
With 306bhp pushing around a relatively lightweight body, the original GT350 was no slouch. Furthermore, as with its road-going successor, a hardcore R version was produced. Only 34 were made and all were race-spec cars.
2 Production Numbers
One aspect which can have a big impact on a car's desirability/value is how rare it is. And while the GT350 is no one of one model, only 21,394 examples were produced during its four-year lifecycle, according to Mustang Fan Club.
This figure, which includes GT350s and its R counterparts, is a lot less than the 100,000-plus standard 'Stangs rolling off Ford's production line every year. With this in mind, along with the model's many other alluring attributes, GT350s are likely to become very valuable – R cars in particular. Only 2,944 GT350Rs were ever produced, meaning it may become somewhat of a unicorn in the future.
1 R Version
Let's talk more about the ultimate, track-focused R version of the GT350. It's essentially what the GT3 RS is to the Porsche 911 GT3 – an even faster version of an already fast car. The GT350R can be distinguished from the regular model by its carbon fiber wheels, a larger wing, and lack of rear seats, among other notable features.
Compared to the standard car, the GT350R is stiffer, grippier, and lighter – where the GT350 weighs 3,760lbs, the R weighs 3,662lbs. As a result, it's arguably the more special, enticing, captivating one of the two variants, although both are amazing. Both are future classics.