AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY – DECEMBER 19, 2019 -Ford celebrates 55-year anniversary of Shelby Mustang GT350 with new 'Heritage' edition

In 1965, famed driver Ken Miles drove a Ford Mustang GT350 to victory at a raceway in Texas and turned the special edition model into an overnight sensation. Fifty-five years later, Ford is celebrating that debut by introducing the brand new 2020 Mustang Shelby GT 350 and GT350R Heritage Edition.

The Dearborn-based auto maker unveiled the special car Thursday which is a throwback to the traditional look of the much celebrated GT350 that Miles drove 55 years ago. The limited run model comes finished in Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue side and over-the-top race stripes, a tribute of sorts to the version created by Carroll Shelby in 1965.

The blue and white color scheme is the same one used by American cars of all types during international races.

“Looking back on it, what Ford and Carroll Shelby created back in the mid-’60s was so important to Mustang,” said Jim Owens, Ford Mustang marketing manager in a press release. “With their authentic exterior livery, unique appointments and performance Ken could have only dreamed of, the Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R Heritage Edition Package vehicles are a meaningful tribute to the legacy of the Shelby brand.”

Along with the new paint on the outside, the Heritage Edition includes front and rear exterior badges finished in Guardsman Blue. A unique dash badge is also included. All GT350R models will feature all-black seats with red accent stitching.

The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT 350 sits in front of the original version which debuted in 1965.

The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT350 has a starting MSRP of $60,440, while the GT350R has a starting MSRP of $73,435. Those prices do not include taxes, title, delivery and license fees. The upgrade to the Heritage Edition Package is available for $1,965 and those models will be delivered in spring 2020. Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R are built with foreign and domestic parts at Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, according to Ford.

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