Performance Review: Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby - [1965]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1965. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the 1966 AC Cobra 427.This particular Ford Mustang has a 4727cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1265 kgs (2788 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4727cc 16V V8 engine produces 306 bhp (228 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 329 lb-ft (446.0 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Bentley Continental GTZ Zagato 6.0 W12 2d (266.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 241.8 bhp per ton and 260.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1965 Mustang competing with the 2008 Bentley Continental GTZ Zagato 6.0 W12 2d (266.6 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Porsche 911 Turbo S 996 (266.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Mustang generating around 260.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2018 BMW 5 Series M5 Competition 4.4 V8 F90 (285.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Ferrari 599 GTO (284.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.9 secs, this made the Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby as fast as the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs) the or the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs). This Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby is also faster than the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the and the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Brera JTS 3.2 V6 24v (6.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.15 secs @ 104.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Jaguar XF 4.2 V8 Supercharged (13.09 secs), the 2016 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Sportback (13.09 secs), and the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Sport Coupe 1st Gen (13.11 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1965 version of the Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 1965 Mustang equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1965 Ford Mustang GT 350 Shelby then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph), the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (145 mph), or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (145 mph).

Related Links:

1965 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison