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In 1980, tired of the insistence of collectors and enthusiasts, a woman made an unusual decision: she stored her 66 Mustang in the garage and did not use it for almost three decades. The car, a relic of American automotive history, remained preserved in time and today catches attention for its unusual history and state of conservation.
A woman drove one of the most coveted cars of the 1960s as her daily vehicle. But in 1980, tired of the insistence of buyers, she decided to park it. And that’s how it stayed for almost 30 years. The Shelby Mustang GT350H 1966 is not an ordinary car. It emerged from a partnership between Ford and Shelby American, created to turn the Mustang into a high-performance car.
It was a direct response to the growing demand for more powerful and sporty vehicles.
At the time, the rental company signed a contract to acquire one thousand units of the model. For $17 a day and 17 cents per mile, anyone over 25 years old could rent a Shelby Mustang.
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These cars, after being used for rental, returned to Ford, where they were serviced and sold to the public.
That’s how American Andy Vann purchased his GT350H in 1967. He was dating Mary Ann, now his wife, and the car became part of their story.
She began to use it daily. For some time, that’s all it was: a powerful car, yes, but for everyday use.
Harassment from Buyers
Over time, the historical value and rarity of the model began to attract attention. Collectors and fans of vintage cars started making offers.
Many were persistent. One even followed Mary Ann home to try to convince her to sell.
The couple resisted all proposals. But the persistent attention became so bothersome that they decided to store the car. In 1980, the GT350H was parked. And it stayed there, covered in dust, away from curious eyes.
Return to the Roads in 2009
The Shelby sat still for almost three decades. In 2009, as the car celebrated its 45th anniversary, the Vanns decided to bring it back to life.
They got the Mustang running and took it to a classic car meet.
The car was still covered in the dust that had accumulated over the years. Only three clean spots on the windshield and back window showed that it had been moved.
Andy made a point of driving the car in and out of the trailer. A symbolic gesture that he repeated in 2024, during the Mustang’s 60th anniversary.
Intact History
Despite being a car with a past in a rental service, this particular Shelby was very well preserved.
Andy never raced it, despite having a history as a driver and builder of racing cars.
When he bought the car, it had just over 14,500 km. Today, the odometer reads 94,000 km. However, the actual mileage is much higher: nearly 255,000 km.
The car has proven to be extremely reliable. “It never used a quarter of oil between oil changes – the only car I ever had that didn’t use oil,” Andy said.
Rarity and Performance
Of the one thousand GT350H produced, only 86 left with a four-speed manual transmission. The Vann’s car has a three-speed automatic transmission, but that does not make it any less special.
Shelby American made adjustments to the automatic transmission so that the gear changes occurred at higher RPMs.
This brought its performance closer to that of manual models. Andy even used the Shelby in a drag race when his usual competition car broke down. And he won.
The car’s engine is the famous K-code V8 with 289 cubic inches (4.7 liters), with 306 horsepower and 438 Nm of torque. It was equipped with headers, an aluminum intake manifold, and a Holley carburetor of 715 CFM.
Encapsulated in Time
Over the years, the car became a time capsule. A well-preserved example from a golden era of American muscle cars.
The layers of dust on the body served as an involuntary protection. And also as a visual reminder of the time when the Mustang was idle.
Even after so many years, it continues to run perfectly. A clear sign of Andy’s care and mechanical knowledge. He knew exactly what he was doing when he acquired the Shelby in 1967. And he took care of it as if it were part of the family.
The Shelby Mustang GT350H of Andy and Mary Ann Vann continues to run, even if only on special occasions. And it still bears no “for sale” sign.
The couple continues to reject offers. For them, the car is not just a machine — it is a living part of their own history.
Uma belíssima história envolvendo um maravilhoso exemplo da tecnologia humana e um casal que sabe o que significa algo que nos conquista, seja lá o que for.
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