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Bill Plank's The Story of My GT 350
Author: Bill Plank's 66 GT350 (more...)
This is my 1966 Shelby GT350 (SFM6S285). This fully restored GT350
reads 37,000 on the odometer. Previous owners dating back to 1969
have verified the mileage as correct. According to the 1997 Shelby
American World Registry, SFM6S285 was originally shipped to Ray
Geddes at Ford Motor Company (original white w/ blue stripes car!)
and not a Ford dealership like most cars. Geddes was a lawyer with
Ford at the time and it is speculated that 6S285 was used as a
company car for either Geddes himself and/or another executive at
Fords corporate office.
After its use at Ford, 6S285 was then auctioned and it whereabouts
unknown until 1969 when Rick Crill of Dearborn, MI purchased the car
with only 29,000 original miles. It was drag raced extensively
throughout the late '60s and parked on the side of Crill's house
awaiting its next race when it was stolen. 6S285 was eventually
recovered but not without the original engine and transmission missing
from its original shell.
Then in 1969, Mike Krantz of Dearborn, MI spotted the engines hulk
sitting on the side of Crills house, made an offer, and then towed it
home. That's when ironically enough, Jeff Burgy (founder of the Shelby
American Automobile Club-Motor City Region) - who has signed my
guestbook in the past - actually knew Krantz and purchased 6S285 from
his 'ol friend. The year? 1972 The price? $1000. Damn... Burgy swapped
in a couple of engines over the next few years and eventually sold
6S285 in 1976 to a guy named Mark Adams of Dearborn, MI. Adams then
yanked out the latest replacement engine and replaced it with a
freshly rebuilt K-code 289ci/306hp (10/65 date code) HiPo engine.
SFM6S285 remained parked and sat unregistered in MI from 1976-1989. It
was restored to its current condition during that time.
SFM6S285 has had a rather unusual history and has gone through several
collectors over the years. It was used in Jeff Burgy's article "How To
Lower Your Control Arms" (see the 2000 Tony Branda parts catalog for
the actual article) and it was also pictured in the book "Shelby
Buyer's Guide"(see pages 32 & 33). For now, 6S285 has found a new home
with me and I don't hesitate to stretch its legs as much as possible.
I show it. I cruise it. I even drag race it every once in a while.
Needless to say, I plan to hang on to 6S285 and enjoy it for many
years to come. Thanks for visiting...
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