First Choice
The first retail Shelby GT350R raises $1,000,000 for charity at Barrett-Jackson
By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
Having any 2016 Shelby GT350R would be special, but having the first one to roll out of Flat Rock is really something. If you have enough loot in the bank, you’ll have the opportunity to own the first one—at least the first one available for retail sale—as it rolls across the auction block at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona, today. However, even if you can’t afford to buy it, you can feel good that the proceeds will help fight juvenile diabetes.
“The Shelby GT350R is a world-class car, the best performing Mustang that we have ever built,†Raj Nair, Ford Group Vice President, Global Product Development, said. “We are thrilled to donate the first retail production Shelby GT350R to JDRF for auction. When this car crosses the auction block it should raise a tremendous amount of money for a great charity.â€
We told you earlier this week the car would go up for auction, and the VIN 0001 GT350R will sell at no reserve under lot number 3008. The person placing the winning bid will be able to order the car in any color and package configuration—the white with blue stripe example is just for display. To make the winner’s car even more special, team members that worked on the design and development of the Shelby GT350R will sign it.
“JDRF is privileged to work with Ford, and we are extremely grateful for the generous support from Ford and its employees through the years,†John Brady, JDRF chairman, international board of directors, said. “We are honored to be part of the company’s 50-year celebration of the Shelby GT350 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale. This very exciting and worthwhile event means a great deal to not only JDRF and the type 1 community, but to me personally as well. We are dedicated to continue our work and to share our vision of creating a world without type 1 diabetes.â€
Ford has supported the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with donations since 1983, and today you can watch the auction live on Velocity to see how much the GT350R can generate for the charity.
Update: The car sold for a cool $1 million. If you missed the auction, you can see it right here:
