Reviving the Legend: The GT 350 Roadster - A Classic Mustang with a Modern Twist

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.

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
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• 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
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• RJ-nh9hw: Finding the test drive worthwhile and well done
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• winterintheforest6242: Praising the engineering and criticizing modern crossovers
• thomassciaroni6942: Mentioning a classic video about Camilo Pardo and his building in Detroit
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