There’s only a couple of days left until bidding closes in RR Auctions’ April 2026 sale, and one lot it seems plenty of eyeballs will be on come the evening of the 29th is this wicked 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback.
Already, more than 105 bids have been placed on this car with 48 hours left to go – and quite frankly, it’s pretty easy to see why as this is one of the best-looking Mustangs of this age you’ll come across.
Currently located in Melbourne where it has been for the past four years, in its previous NSW-based life it claimed several awards at car shows after being tastefully modified into a tribute to the rare Shelby GT350R.
Before it crosses the auction block, the Mustang made its way in front of my camera and I found my way behind the wheel of it to see just how special this example truly is.
Much of the important work done to this car was undertaken in 2010, when it was most notably converted to right-hand drive. It’s clearly a high-quality job as the vehicle comes with an engineering certificate to ensure full legality on Aussie roads.
Finished in a beautiful shade of grey with black racing stripes, a nice modern twist on the typical Shelby white and blue, every badge and decal has been positioned in such a way that you’d think it came from the factory that way – or at least that it should’ve.
While the period-correct GT Magnum wheels certainly round out the package perfectly, what’s key to replicating the GT350R look is this car’s front end. Not only does it have the right bonnet fitted with a scoop and pins, but it also wears the more aggressive cutaway bumper that set the GT350R apart from the standard GT350.
This look was hardly just for show, as the ‘R’ at the end of that nomenclature indicated it was bred solely for the track. Designed by Carroll Shelby specifically to compete in the SCCA Production Sports Car series, the GT350R was crucial to transforming the Mustang’s image into that of a bona fide performance car.
Although it was the B-Production champion for three straight years, the catch is that only 34 examples were ever built, thus making it one of the rarest and most valuable Mustangs produced.
And that’s precisely where this tribute to it fits a perfect gap. Not only does it offer a modern twist on those race-bred looks, but it’s also a genuinely usable car. It might feature the same wooden-rimmed Shelby steering wheel and floor-mounted shifter, but the cabin of this example hides plenty of modern features in plain sight.
For instance, there’s a Bluetooth head unit designed to look just like the original which is connected to a Sony Xplod audio system. There’s also a period-correct air conditioning unit mounted under the dashboard where it would have been if optioned back in ’66.
Don’t think it’s all just looks and creature comforts either. Under the bonnet, you’ll find Ford’s iconic 302 V8 – larger than the 289 an original GT350R would’ve featured – fitted with Cobra rocker covers, an MSD Ignition system, and a lumpy cam. It’s also backed by a five-speed manual gearbox where an original would’ve had four forward ratios.
In terms of how it drives, it strikes the right balance between a sporty car and a muscle car that you’d likely expect. The Mustang’s smaller size – helping it pioneer the ‘pony car’ segment – is evident in comparison to full-sized muscle cars of the era, and it has a slightly more chuckable feeling as a result.
There’s no lack of authenticity when it comes to rowing your own gears in this thing, as the clutch is weighty and the shifter throw deliberate. It’s enough to put you in mind of the experience that Ken Miles must’ve had behind the wheel en route to the original GT350R’s first victory at Green Valley Raceway on Valentine’s Day in 1965.
Yet this car still has nicely weighted power-assisted steering and a ride that strikes the right balance between feeling focused yet compliant enough to make a weekend cruise enjoyable.
And then, there’s the engine. Not only does the lumpy cam make it rumble at a red light like a thunderstorm approaching, but this engine has some serious grunt and an aggressive note to match when you do put the pedal to the metal.
With the Mustang consistently one of the top dream cars worldwide, it’s no surprise to see this one getting the attention it deserves even days out from the hammer falling. Indeed, during our photo and video shoot I was constantly being stopped and asked about the car as a sign that its popularity extends well beyond the digital realm and into the real world.
To find out more about this and all of the other listings in our April 2026 car and bike sales, head to the RR Auctions website.
