From the Automotive History Performance Hall of Fame by Carroll Shelby and Ford Motor Co. comes one of eleven Paxton Supercharged Cars built by Carroll Shelby. That would make it one of the 2,380 Shelby GT-350 "S" Models made in Los Angeles, Ca. and one of the 1,438 made non Hertz "Rent-a-Racers". The car pictured is documented with original delivery to the El Paso Auto Center in Texas and is one of the very first, real Paxton Supercharged cars. Today it carries the correct "R-Model" Plexiglas Rear and Side Windows, Rollbar, Fuel Cell, Updated Disc Brakes, Fish Mouth "R Code" Grille, Side Exhaust (no mufflers) Non-Drilled Magnesium Wheels, Wood Steering Wheel and current Racing Seats. It is complete with Logbooks, Photo's of the Winning History, and a copy of the original Shelby Bill of Sale.

After production of the first two hundred and fifty "carryover cars"; only 1,188 Shelby GT-350's were delivered as traditional "street" (non Hertz) Shelby's and, we are told, (despite published book versions) that Factory records and the S.A.A.C Registry show only ELEVEN** were actually fitted by Shelby with Paxton Supercharger Equipment. Since Shelby only sold 32 actual factory "R" Models in 1965 for Corporate / Public use, several of these 1966 models have been turned into "R" Code Race Cars ( 3 documented) for private use. History will tell us that it was Granatelli that approached Carroll Shelby with the idea of adding a Supercharger on the GT-350's as an option. Shelby lent Granatelli 5S425 as a test vehicle. The skeptical Shelby brought a 289 Cobra and the two met back of the Airport. When Granatelli 'walked away' from the Cobra, Shelby was convinced and added the Paxton Superchargers as an expensive 'option' in 1966.

By April of 1966 Shelby American had made special arrangements with Paxton Products to install it's Superchargers on GT 350's, both four speed and automatics as a "Special Option". This included the Supercharger Drive Unit and Air Cleaner, 460cfm Autolite carb, Cobra Cast Aluminum Carburetor Enclosure, Paxton Supercharger, Special Fuel Pump, Carburetor Jets, and Ignition Points. The only other modification required was an air-inlet hole cut into the radiator bulkhead, on the driver's side. The compressor was mounted behind the hole and mated with a mesh grille. The Factory advised dealers this unit would add 46% more horsepower but, it came at a very high price in 1966: namely $670. This also included a Blower Pressure Gauge and Fuel Pressure Gauge mounted in a small chrome panel under the dash. Early Supercharger boxes were painted Black and got Red,White & Blue CS Shelby-American emblems re-attached to them. The first official 'factory' Supercharged car was 6S051 which was painted Green and given a special stripe designation "GT 350S". At that time Shelby was planning on producing Paxton equipped cars as 'special models'. However, it was later decided to offer the Supercharger as an option. Various road tests of the cars in 1966 placed the peak horsepower at 400.

The Shelby Pictured Here Is A 1966 Mustang GT350 Paxton Competition S Model, Restored, Wimbledon White, Guardsman Blue Racing Stripes, Black Bucket Seats, One Of Eleven Original Paxton Supercharged Cars Built By Carroll Shelby, Professional Restoration And Ready To Race, Equipment Includes An Original Numbers Matching Paxton Supercharger, 24 Gallon Fuel Cell, Professionally Built 289 425 horsepower V8, 4 Speed T-10 Top Loader Trans, HD Clutch Pak, American Racing Mag Wheels, Rollbar, Cobra Wood Steering Wheel. Real Documented Shelby with Ford Vin Number And Shelby Number, Has The Original Shipping Invoice and Report Documenting It As A Real Pax Unit Car.

Photos and Description courtesy of www.ClassicDreamcars.com