Reviving the Legend: The GT 350 Roadster - A Classic Mustang with a Modern Twist
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- Published on
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- By Dushyant
- (@dishs)
In this episode of Jay Leno's Garage, Jay is graced with the presence of American Automotive royalty - the GT 350. This car has a fascinating backstory. Back in '64, when the Mustang was introduced, Lee Iacocca was worried that it might be seen as a secretary's car. So, he called up the legendary Carroll Shelby and said, "Make this thing a race car!" And that's exactly what Shelby did. He built 562 of these GT350s, and this particular one is an OVC car, built by the original Venice crew.
Joining Jay is Jim Marotta, who worked at the Venice facility back in the day. He reminisces about the exciting atmosphere of the place, with racing royalty like John Surtees and Dan Gurney dropping by. Steve McQueen himself was a regular visitor. It was a small building, but it was bursting with energy and innovation. The birthplace of Mustang greatness.
Also present is Camilo Pardo, the genius designer behind the first generation Ford GT. He has collaborated with Jim to create a roadster version of the GT350. Camilo's design is inspired by the iconic '61-'62 T-Birds, and he's done a phenomenal job of capturing that essence. The team discusses the aerodynamic influences on the design and the challenges they faced in bringing this roadster to life. It's a stunning piece of automotive art.
Under the hood, the GT350 packs a punch with a 425 horsepower engine and a four-speed transmission. It retains the classic look of the '65 Mustang, which Jay believes is still the best-looking one. Carroll Shelby's improvements, like the hood scoop and side exhaust, transformed it into a snarling race car. The team also talks about the Ford versus Ferrari movie and their involvement in it. Camilo's artwork and design skills are praised, and he shares his thoughts on the movie.
Overall, this GT350 Roadster is a beautiful blend of classic design and modern upgrades. It's a car that captures the spirit of the original Mustang while offering a thrilling driving experience. The team discusses the engine, suspension, and the possibility of adding an automatic transmission or an independent rear suspension. With prices ranging from $289,000 to $329,000, this GT350 Roadster is a true masterpiece for those who appreciate the timeless beauty of the Mustang.
Image copyright Youtube
Image copyright Youtube
Image copyright Youtube
Image copyright Youtube
Watch Original Venice Crew's Ford GT350 Roadster - Jay Leno's Garage on Youtube
Viewer Reactions for Original Venice Crew's Ford GT350 Roadster - Jay Leno's Garage
Madison_your_nice_friend: Complimenting the uploader's fantastic uploads and commitment
mythrusthelema: Appreciating the Mustang and wishing them success
dinorossi6611: Meeting the people involved and having a great experience
donl1846: Praising the sweet ride and thanking Jay
jasontroglin8070: Acknowledging the beautiful car and praising Jim and his team
melvinburwell8202: Expressing love for the Mustang and reminiscing about a previous model
carlbeaver7112: Commending the roadster panel and sharing personal Ford experiences
Arcwol: Appreciating the sound of the car
olikat8: Appreciating the mention and credit given to Peter Brock
RJ-nh9hw: Finding the test drive worthwhile and well done
ravenheart1439: Finding the car great and cool
jimtrucksis1505: Expressing interest in joining the Ford family
jeepman1467: Requesting a show about the AMX/3 car
heatherwhatever7714: Finding the car looks great
kristyskirt9015: Excited to see what modifications Jay Leno will make to the Mustang
STho205: Sharing preference for the 67,68 Mustang and 65,66 convertibles
killacamfoo: Complimenting the car as gorgeous
hiandrewfisher: Expressing love for the Ford GT designer
hectorraigosa7149: Sharing information about a similar Mustang for sale and expressing opinion on the price
winterintheforest6242: Praising the engineering and criticizing modern crossovers
thomassciaroni6942: Mentioning a classic video about Camilo Pardo and his building in Detroit
carlyleworkman1928: Making a joke about seatbelts
VeritasEtAequitas: Playfully calling the car Kermit
user-wq2py1de9j: Complimenting the car as beautiful
mfc4591: Praising the car and criticizing electric vehicles
user-dw7ou1zh8x: Discussing wealthy individuals' spending habits and investments
TyronStDenis: Associating the car with the Fast and the Furious movie
sergeantmasson3669: Sharing information about the Lincoln Versailles car
JuggusNawt: Requesting the video to be released without delay
jasontroglin8070: Requesting car manufacturers to bring back engine options for more personal experiences
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