It all began with a simple phone call. For Vernon Estes, a renowned figure in the Shelby community and owner of Vernon Estes Classics, that call would lead to the discovery of one of the most significant finds in American muscle car history — an untouched 1965 Shelby GT350 with only 35,000 miles. The car, hidden away for almost five decades, is now poised to take its place among the most well-preserved examples of its kind.
The Beginning of a Legend
The call came from a family holding onto a long-kept secret. They revealed that they were in possession of a very special Shelby GT350 — No. 5S335 — a car that had been with their family for generations. Estes, no stranger to rare car finds, knew this was no ordinary discovery. Skepticism often accompanies such “too good to be true” finds, but as the story unfolded, it became clear this was one of those rare exceptions.
No. 5S335, an original, low-mileage 1965 Shelby GT350, had been sitting quietly in a barn, untouched, for nearly 50 years. The car still wears its original paint, features its untouched interior, and retains 100% of its original drivetrain and Shelby-specific parts. To say this is an extraordinary find would be an understatement.
A Piece of History in Shelby County
Originally delivered to Herff Ford in Memphis, Tennessee, the GT350 didn’t move off the dealership lot for nine months. When it was finally sold on May 1, 1966, it became the prized possession of Dr. William Burrow. Despite the Shelby’s growing legend, the race-oriented 1965 models were a tough sell at the time. Burrow held onto the car, which was later titled as a 1966 GT350 due to state titling laws at the time. This minor detail added an interesting twist to the car’s history.
In December of 1966, Donald Dunford became the second owner, purchasing the GT350 for just $2,800. The bill of sale, along with Dunford’s check and a letter from his bank, remain with the car to this day. Dunford, a SAAB dealer and collector, intended the car for his wife, specifically because it had air conditioning — a rare feature for such a high-performance machine.
Hidden Away for Decades
For decades, the GT350 remained hidden in the back of a barn in West Lafayette, Indiana. Covered and protected, the car was surrounded by an RV and various other vehicles, ensuring that it stayed out of sight. The Shelby would remain “her car,” preserved in pristine condition, until it was rediscovered.
Over the years, the car became a well-kept family secret. Even Dunford’s niece, Karen Lank, who inherited the estate after the passing of Donald and his wife Alice, knew only that a special Mustang was hidden somewhere in the barn. It wasn’t until late 2023, after Alice passed, that this exceptional car finally saw the light of day again.
A Rare Survivor
Few 1965 Shelby GT350s have survived with such a remarkable degree of originality. Estes points out that many classic cars, especially performance models like the Shelby, often went through extensive restorations or modifications in the 1980s and 1990s. However, No. 5S335 is a rare exception. It survived the decades with its originality intact, making it one of the finest examples of its breed.
The car’s mechanical components are being carefully refreshed by Jeremy Turner at Maple Hill Restoration in Virginia, with a focus on preserving the Shelby’s unmatched authenticity. From the original paint to the pristine interior, every detail is being meticulously maintained to ensure its legacy as one of the best-preserved 1965 GT350s in existence.
A New Chapter Begins
As for the future of this remarkable Shelby, it couldn’t be in better hands. The new owner is committed to preserving its originality while ensuring that it’s ready to hit the road again. Once the preservation work is complete, this car will stand as a testament to the legacy of the Shelby GT350 — a raw, race-inspired machine that captured the hearts of enthusiasts and collectors alike.
For Estes, this discovery is more than just a great find — it’s the kind of moment every collector dreams of. “It was a pleasure to experience the re-discovery of such a high-integrity example,” Estes says. “The car could not be in better hands, and upon completion, there is no doubt that 5S335 will be among the most well-preserved examples of a 1965 GT350.”
Sometimes, the rarest finds come from the most unexpected places. And when opportunity knocked, Estes was ready — proving once again that in the world of classic cars, missed opportunities can be the most expensive of all.
Photos courtesy of Ford Performance and JP Emerson.
This article was crafted with assistance from Chatgpt
