The Group 2 Shelby Ford Mustang that Ken Miles never raced

Hands-on look & dive into the history of this 1966 Shelby Ford Mustang Group 2 Racer Originally Built For Famous Legendary Shelby American Driver; Ken Miles!

#12 of 16 Shelby Group II Racers Factory Built In 1966
Purchased New By John McComb And Raced From 1966-1969
1st Place At Pan American Trans-Am, Green Valley, TX In 1966
1st Place At Continental Divide SCCA National In 1966
John McComb And This Car Helped Ford Claim The Trans Am Manufacturers Championship For 1966
Featured on the December 1966 cover of Sports Car Graphic
Participant in the 24 Hours of Daytona, 1967
Finished 2nd in 1967 SCCA A/Sedan Midwest
Complete Rotisserie Restoration By Legendary Motorcar

LMC is very proud to offer for sale this 1966 Shelby Group II Racer

There’s no telling how Ken Miles would have helped Shelby and Ford in the 1966 SCCA Trans-Am series; he died in August of that year without having driven this Shelby Mustang that was factory prepared for him. Yet John McComb made the best of a tragic situation by racing this Mustang to two wins and helping Ford clinch the manufacturers’ championship that year.

According to SCCA rules, the Mustang fastbacks – which, of course, Shelby based his G.T. 350 upon – were classified as two-seaters, leaving them ineligible for Trans-Am’s A/Sedan class (which also specified that entrants have all-steel bodywork and no hood scoops). Regardless, Ford wanted a "horse” in the Trans-Am race, so Cantwell built 16 notchback K-code Mustangs with G.T. 350R underpinnings (along with another four with street G.T. 350 underpinnings built for European FIA rallying) and stripped them of every non-essential item the rule book would allow him to get away with. The equipment included a Shelby-built 289 CI engine with an aluminum high-rise intake manifold and 715 CFM Holley 4-barrel carburetor, Borg-Warner close ratio 4-speed, Detroit Locker rear end, high-capacity fuel tank with quick-release filler, heavy duty front disc and rear drum brakes, Koni shock absorbers, heavy duty oil cooler and radiator, 15x7 American Racing wheels and more. Shelby, which had dissolved its factory racing effort at the end of 1965, sold the cars as Ford Mustangs to privateer customers.

This 1966 Ford Mustang Group II A/Sedan racer is number 12 of 16 built by Shelby American to compete in the SCCA Group II amateur racing series created in concert with the professional Trans Am series. Invoiced August 24, 1966 to Turner Ford in Wichita, Kansas, this car was purchased by John McComb. When McComb put in a request for one of the Trans-Am Mustangs with his friend Cantwell, all 16 had been spoken for; it wasn’t until after Ken Miles death in August 1966 while testing a Ford GT40 J-car at Riverside that Cantwell called up McComb to let him know that one of the Mustangs had become available. McComb, who was based in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the time, said he picked up the Mustang in Los Angeles and within two weeks won two races – at Continental Divide in Castle Rock, Colorado, and at Green Valley Raceway outside Fort Worth, Texas, the latter tying Ford with Chrysler for the lead in the manufacturers’ championship. In 1966 this was with the help of this very car, that Ford would go on to claim the overall title. It also appeared on the December 1966 cover of Sports Car Graphic Magazine. It was purchased by Keith Thomas in June of 1967, who finished second in the 1967 SCCA A/Sedan Midwest Region behind McComb. The following year it set the A/Sedan lap record at the Lake Afton SCCA National. It eventually disappeared for 28 years until it was discovered in a Texas garage.

It was then brought to Legendary Motorcar where it received a no-expense spared rotisserie restoration. The car was carefully disassembled, stripped to bare metal and refinished in its factory Wimbledon White with Lemans Blue stripes. The goal was to restore back to its period correct racing glory, while also being able to be shown at any major concours. The result is stunning with attention to detail to reproduce the factory markings, correct numbering and paint methods. The car is also signed by the man himself Carroll Shelby as well as John McComb, Chuck Cantwell and Terry Doty.

Below is the link to complete photo album of the restoration:

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[Ty_N_KC]

31k subscribers???? Are we really living under rocks now people?? This channel is fantastic

[totljag]

Ur as great at telling these car stories like ur father is, great job kiddo, I love ur guys videos, keep ‘em coming !

[JamesDoylesGarage]

Wow, What a historian Gary and the team are at Legendary Motorcar are. This has got to be the best place to send auto history to if you are going to restore.

[stevepavelko-hs]

great job, was fortunate to see LMC sundays with my father when your dad did show!!! as a younger man... iwas hooked on cars when born in 1964

[gurneyforpresident]

Yes! I most definitely want a car like this. Especially being a Ford guy.

[TheStav]

My lust for Mustang's grew in the late 60's with an expat Canadian in Allan Moffat through the 69 Boss 302 factory racer. He was my Ford hero here in Oz for many years, still is for that matter. Our Australian GTHO is fetching multi 100k's these days, even more for low milage examples .Anything Shelby or 60's Mustang or Ford mucle get's my attention. Look him up on the tube and Ford Touring car History .

[RichGTr]

Amazing story of an Amazing Car! Thanks for sharing it with us! 👍👍🐍🐍

[scottbrown]

I have been gathering components to build a Tour deFrance replica. The actual TDF Mustangs were pre production 64.5 hardtops that were prepared by Holman & Moody race shop and then sent to Alan Mann racing in Britain. These are the first Mustangs to win an international race.
I think that one of either of these coupes would make a great track toy or autocross event tool.

[garyslentznd.]

You tell the stories very well Gary. I would rip the snout out of that car.

[christopherkraft]

This Shelby Mustang is stunning!!! Thanks for sharing this exciting video!!! 👍👍

[johnmccombmac]

Steve, Allan Moffett’s first drive in a Shelby Mustang was in my ‘66 Trans-Am coupe. He had the Allan Mann Cortina’s at Stuttgart, Arkansas in 1967. I let him drive it a few laps. John McComb

[stephenbonshire]

I can only imagine what that beautiful peice of automotive history is worth!!!.🤙🇺🇸🙏

[trajanad]

As always, excellent presentation and production....well done!

Question: Would you know if those notchbacks started out as HiPo K-Codes like the Shelby fastback GT350s did?

[joegarrett]

Dang, dude your doing a better job than dear old dad!!! Way to go!!!

[paulmoore]

Another frigin goodn eh? Love the show!

[terryandrews]

You do a hell of a job Gary, Your old man can relax His business is in good hands🏎🏎

[jeffgagnon]

Gary
Great review and I learned something about a car I didn’t know about.
Great job!

[unknownsoldier]

Great video... watched it 3 times already YES I definitely want a car like this

[undergroundhousesounds]

Excellent channel with true enthusiasts

[cobracar]

Great piece of Shelby history. I feel like I'm well versed in Shelby history but I always learn a little bit more from you guys.