The recent announcement that GT350 No. 013 in almost perfect condition had been carefully stored away years ago was met with worldwide astonishment and disbelief that such an especially rare example still existed. Originally constructed as an “Advanced Prototype” for the Shelby team’s own promotion and development at Shelby’s legendary racing facility in Venice, California, the car never really left Shelby’s oversight. He sold it to good friend and magazine editor John Christy, who was honored by Shelby as one of the very first to ever drive a GT350, which became the subject of Christy’s road test for Sports Car Graphic. Christy fell in love with the car, and was then given an opportunity to buy Shelby GT350 No. 13 by Carroll Shelby.
When seen today, it appears almost as it did back in 1965 when it was first constructed for promotional photos; that was the level of attention that Christy paid to this very special Mustang. Realizing the unique condition the car was in when purchased, its current owner never changed a thing, preferring to keep it as a historic icon of the Shelby era … it’s probably the only example extant today that remains virtually untouched.