Shelby GT350R
In late 1964, Ford came to Carrol Shelby asking him to take the Mustang racing.
They had attempted to get the new pony car approved by the SCCA and had failed.
It turns out that Ford new Shelby was the answer because after a meeting with SCCA Executive Director, John Bishop (later of ISMA) The Mustang was going raciing in B Production.
To convert the Shelby GT350 into an R model as simple as getting the Mustangs delivered from Ford with no heater, door panels, soundproofing, hood, rear window and so on. Shelby was able to shave almost 500 pounds off the weight off the street car.
This of course, had a great impact on the performance. Many engine modifications and upgrades were also part of the conversion. Larger Gas tank (2 stock tanks welded together) Increased oil capacity and lots of other little improvements were what it took to turn the Mustang into a winner on the track. In fact, the R won its first time out on Feb 14 1965 with Ken Miles behind the wheel.
The car had much sucess and helped build the Shelby reputation even thought he was very hesitant to get involved at all!
Diecast
We are lucky to have some choices in manufacturers for Shelby Mustangs.
Lane has been making various Mustangs since about 1999 or even earlier.
This was their first release and while considered to be fantastic when released, it has not stood up to the current level of of their most recent releases. They do some beautiful cars but this one should not be compared to what they do today.
A newcomer to the diecast scene is Shelby Collectibles (S/C). They are offering some very competetive Mustangs at bargain prices.
While it is noy usualy fair to compare a 6 year old release with a brand ner one, in this case it is warranted. The Lane is priced at around $90 and the C/S is around $29.
So what do you get for your money?
Lane...
C/S...
As you can see, both are very well done representations of the GT350R.
The few differences in appearance are historically correct. The Jerry Titus car #61 is as raced and the S/C is as delivered. Side scoops were not part of the package and were added later by the race teams.
The biggest thing I see is the incorrect side stripes on the S/C. They are too narrow and the text is too small.
Also, the color of the "Goodyear" lettering on the tire is a more accurate color than on the Lane but the difference is very small.
I would give a slight edge to the Lane only because of the stripes
Lane....
S/C....
Engine detail
Both are pretty decent. whatever one has, the other has as well in the way of painted or moulded in detail. Spark plug wiring, seperate carbs and intake, well defined radiator, fan, water pump and so on is present in both.
Another mistake on the S/C but not the Lane is the wrong engine color. The Mustang should have a Black engine block and not a blue one.
Contrary to what some reviewers will try to tell you, niether cars engine is much to write home about, much less among the best of the hobby.
Again, a small edge to the Lane, I would say it is 5-10% better execution.
Lane....
S/C....
Interior and Trunk.
Level of detail is again, very close. It is easy to think that whoever did the S/C had a Lane in front of them to use as a guide.
The Lane gets the nod by a very small margin, mainly because of slightly better materials and a more convincing dash. The interior is the weakest point for the S/C and to be honest, it should not be as close as it is but the Lane is not very good itself.
Lane....
S/C....
Chassis Detail
Same old story, both are almost identical but with and extra step or 2 taken on the Lane. Its better but not by a whole lot.
Lane...
C/S....
Fit and Finish
No contest, the S/C is much better than the Lane.
Paint is better (by far) Cast in detail is better defined and sharper, Panel fit is better.
Not sure if you can tell by my mediocre pictures but here is a close up of the finish of the front fender.
Lane...
S/C....
This is where we get into the value competition.
The S/C is 1/3 the price and yet it looks very close (and sometimes better) than the Lane. The areas where the Lane does look better are very minor things. Yes the Lane is a bit better in some places but the difference is quite small.
I know that if I wanted a 65-66 Shelby Mustang, I would not hesitate to buy the S/C.
The Lane just does not deliver the quality that the price would indicate.
In this case, you do not get what you pay for. Not by a long shot.
Who makes the best 1956 Shelby GT350?
Not either one of these companies
The nicest one released is the Franklin Mint in 1:24 with the 1:20 Revell (Creative Master) right along side it.
I have the FM but not the CM.
Here is a Mattel 1:43, FM 1:24 and C/S 1:18
In late 1964, Ford came to Carrol Shelby asking him to take the Mustang racing.
They had attempted to get the new pony car approved by the SCCA and had failed.
It turns out that Ford new Shelby was the answer because after a meeting with SCCA Executive Director, John Bishop (later of ISMA) The Mustang was going raciing in B Production.
To convert the Shelby GT350 into an R model as simple as getting the Mustangs delivered from Ford with no heater, door panels, soundproofing, hood, rear window and so on. Shelby was able to shave almost 500 pounds off the weight off the street car.
This of course, had a great impact on the performance. Many engine modifications and upgrades were also part of the conversion. Larger Gas tank (2 stock tanks welded together) Increased oil capacity and lots of other little improvements were what it took to turn the Mustang into a winner on the track. In fact, the R won its first time out on Feb 14 1965 with Ken Miles behind the wheel.
The car had much sucess and helped build the Shelby reputation even thought he was very hesitant to get involved at all!
Diecast
We are lucky to have some choices in manufacturers for Shelby Mustangs.
Lane has been making various Mustangs since about 1999 or even earlier.
This was their first release and while considered to be fantastic when released, it has not stood up to the current level of of their most recent releases. They do some beautiful cars but this one should not be compared to what they do today.
A newcomer to the diecast scene is Shelby Collectibles (S/C). They are offering some very competetive Mustangs at bargain prices.
While it is noy usualy fair to compare a 6 year old release with a brand ner one, in this case it is warranted. The Lane is priced at around $90 and the C/S is around $29.
So what do you get for your money?
Lane...
C/S...
As you can see, both are very well done representations of the GT350R.
The few differences in appearance are historically correct. The Jerry Titus car #61 is as raced and the S/C is as delivered. Side scoops were not part of the package and were added later by the race teams.
The biggest thing I see is the incorrect side stripes on the S/C. They are too narrow and the text is too small.
Also, the color of the "Goodyear" lettering on the tire is a more accurate color than on the Lane but the difference is very small.
I would give a slight edge to the Lane only because of the stripes
Lane....
S/C....
Engine detail
Both are pretty decent. whatever one has, the other has as well in the way of painted or moulded in detail. Spark plug wiring, seperate carbs and intake, well defined radiator, fan, water pump and so on is present in both.
Another mistake on the S/C but not the Lane is the wrong engine color. The Mustang should have a Black engine block and not a blue one.
Contrary to what some reviewers will try to tell you, niether cars engine is much to write home about, much less among the best of the hobby.
Again, a small edge to the Lane, I would say it is 5-10% better execution.
Lane....
S/C....
Interior and Trunk.
Level of detail is again, very close. It is easy to think that whoever did the S/C had a Lane in front of them to use as a guide.
The Lane gets the nod by a very small margin, mainly because of slightly better materials and a more convincing dash. The interior is the weakest point for the S/C and to be honest, it should not be as close as it is but the Lane is not very good itself.
Lane....
S/C....
Chassis Detail
Same old story, both are almost identical but with and extra step or 2 taken on the Lane. Its better but not by a whole lot.
Lane...
C/S....
Fit and Finish
No contest, the S/C is much better than the Lane.
Paint is better (by far) Cast in detail is better defined and sharper, Panel fit is better.
Not sure if you can tell by my mediocre pictures but here is a close up of the finish of the front fender.
Lane...
S/C....
This is where we get into the value competition.
The S/C is 1/3 the price and yet it looks very close (and sometimes better) than the Lane. The areas where the Lane does look better are very minor things. Yes the Lane is a bit better in some places but the difference is quite small.
I know that if I wanted a 65-66 Shelby Mustang, I would not hesitate to buy the S/C.
The Lane just does not deliver the quality that the price would indicate.
In this case, you do not get what you pay for. Not by a long shot.
Who makes the best 1956 Shelby GT350?
Not either one of these companies
The nicest one released is the Franklin Mint in 1:24 with the 1:20 Revell (Creative Master) right along side it.
I have the FM but not the CM.
Here is a Mattel 1:43, FM 1:24 and C/S 1:18