Offered here is one of the most unique and historically intriguing Mustangs ever constructed, a 1964½ Ford Mustang Hardtop Retractable Coupe, custom built in 2005 by Jon Wilhelm of Wilhelm Motor Works in Draper, Utah, completed under license by Shelby Automotive as the GT350CR prototype-designated Continuation Retractable. Conceived as a bold extension of the Shelby GT350 legacy, this remarkable Mustang was engineered to combine early Mustang styling, Shelby performance ethos, and a dramatic retractable hardtop concept never previously offered by Ford or Shelby.
The GT350CR program was commissioned alongside a parallel effort to develop a GT350C, a traditional convertible version submitted to Shelby Automotive for approval. With assistance from Mustangs Plus and The RestoMod Shop of Stockton, California, which supplied components to the famed GT500E "Eleanor" builds by Unique Performance, the project was executed to an exceptionally high standard. In total, approximately four units were constructed with the first three being GT350C convertibles, and this car standing alone as the only completed GT350CR retractable hardtop convertible. This singular example served as the official promotional vehicle, displayed at SEMA, showcased and winning at Mustang Club of America events, and presented directly to Shelby Automotive directors as the final evaluation model for potential full-scale production.
Despite strong interest and public exposure, a licensing dispute between Jon Wilhelm and Carroll Shelby in 2007 brought the project to an abrupt conclusion before series production could commence. With the program halted, the GT350CR never progressed beyond the prototype stage. As a result, this car transitioned from a proposed continuation model into a deeply personal endeavor for Wilhelm himself, ultimately becoming part of his private collection upon completion.
Beginning with a true 1964.5 Mustang Coupe platform, the idea of using the original engineering designs created by Ben Smith, a former Ford engineer behind the late-1950's Fairlane Skyliner Retractable, they would blueprint this concept Mustang Retractable into life. This incorporates a custom 2-piece carbon fiber roof panel that manually folds into a custom fabricated trunk compartment by way of a reverse hinged trunk lid, also custom made from carbon fiber with integrated Shelby-inspired ducktail spoiler. One other subtle body detail lies along the lower fenders and rockers as a ground effect aerodynamic accent.
Restored in true rotisserie fashion, with every part needing to be brand new and available prospective customers during production, it would be built with great attention to detail. The factory unibody chassis reenforced underneath, all new suspension components with front & rear anti-sway bars, new SSBC power 4-wheel disc brakes, power rack and pinion steering, crate Ford Racing engine, Ford AOD automatic transmission with TCI Outlaw rachet shifter, 8" Currie axle with limited-slip gearing, Old Air Products air conditioning, BeCool Inc radiator with GMB aluminum water pump & electric fan, Ring Brothers hood hinges, all billet aluminum body hardware, and so much more! The paint work was completed in a professional multi-layer application in TruBlu by House of Kolor with their Tangelo Orange adding triple Lemans-inspired stripes, all buried under several layers of clearcoat for a spectacularly smooth finish! On the ground are Goodyear Eagle F1 tires measuring 235/45R17 on traditional American Racing TorqueThrust II wheels!
The engine utilizes aluminum heads, custom cam, Edelbrock Performer aluminum intake, Quick Fuel Technologies carburetion, JBA titanium shorty headers, Spin Tech performance mufflers, Pertronix Flamethrower ignition, along with a very trick, active shaker hood scoop presenting through the original metal hood! It produces an estimated 350 horsepower for a perfect balance of street use and eager performance when you want it!
The result is a true one-of-one Shelby-licensed prototype, blending engineering creativity, period-correct inspiration, and early-2000s continuation-car craftsmanship at the height of the Eleanor era. Unlike replicas or tribute builds, this Mustang occupies a rare space between concept car, prototype, and continuation Shelby, representing an unrealized chapter in Mustang and Shelby history.
For the serious collector, this GT350 Continuation Retractable offers provenance, exclusivity, and historical relevance that simply cannot be replicated. It stands as a fascinating "what might have been" from the modern Shelby era, and a centerpiece-level Mustang restoration worthy of the most discerning collection.
The GT350CR program was commissioned alongside a parallel effort to develop a GT350C, a traditional convertible version submitted to Shelby Automotive for approval. With assistance from Mustangs Plus and The RestoMod Shop of Stockton, California, which supplied components to the famed GT500E "Eleanor" builds by Unique Performance, the project was executed to an exceptionally high standard. In total, approximately four units were constructed with the first three being GT350C convertibles, and this car standing alone as the only completed GT350CR retractable hardtop convertible. This singular example served as the official promotional vehicle, displayed at SEMA, showcased and winning at Mustang Club of America events, and presented directly to Shelby Automotive directors as the final evaluation model for potential full-scale production.
Despite strong interest and public exposure, a licensing dispute between Jon Wilhelm and Carroll Shelby in 2007 brought the project to an abrupt conclusion before series production could commence. With the program halted, the GT350CR never progressed beyond the prototype stage. As a result, this car transitioned from a proposed continuation model into a deeply personal endeavor for Wilhelm himself, ultimately becoming part of his private collection upon completion.
Beginning with a true 1964.5 Mustang Coupe platform, the idea of using the original engineering designs created by Ben Smith, a former Ford engineer behind the late-1950's Fairlane Skyliner Retractable, they would blueprint this concept Mustang Retractable into life. This incorporates a custom 2-piece carbon fiber roof panel that manually folds into a custom fabricated trunk compartment by way of a reverse hinged trunk lid, also custom made from carbon fiber with integrated Shelby-inspired ducktail spoiler. One other subtle body detail lies along the lower fenders and rockers as a ground effect aerodynamic accent.
Restored in true rotisserie fashion, with every part needing to be brand new and available prospective customers during production, it would be built with great attention to detail. The factory unibody chassis reenforced underneath, all new suspension components with front & rear anti-sway bars, new SSBC power 4-wheel disc brakes, power rack and pinion steering, crate Ford Racing engine, Ford AOD automatic transmission with TCI Outlaw rachet shifter, 8" Currie axle with limited-slip gearing, Old Air Products air conditioning, BeCool Inc radiator with GMB aluminum water pump & electric fan, Ring Brothers hood hinges, all billet aluminum body hardware, and so much more! The paint work was completed in a professional multi-layer application in TruBlu by House of Kolor with their Tangelo Orange adding triple Lemans-inspired stripes, all buried under several layers of clearcoat for a spectacularly smooth finish! On the ground are Goodyear Eagle F1 tires measuring 235/45R17 on traditional American Racing TorqueThrust II wheels!
The engine utilizes aluminum heads, custom cam, Edelbrock Performer aluminum intake, Quick Fuel Technologies carburetion, JBA titanium shorty headers, Spin Tech performance mufflers, Pertronix Flamethrower ignition, along with a very trick, active shaker hood scoop presenting through the original metal hood! It produces an estimated 350 horsepower for a perfect balance of street use and eager performance when you want it!
The result is a true one-of-one Shelby-licensed prototype, blending engineering creativity, period-correct inspiration, and early-2000s continuation-car craftsmanship at the height of the Eleanor era. Unlike replicas or tribute builds, this Mustang occupies a rare space between concept car, prototype, and continuation Shelby, representing an unrealized chapter in Mustang and Shelby history.
For the serious collector, this GT350 Continuation Retractable offers provenance, exclusivity, and historical relevance that simply cannot be replicated. It stands as a fascinating "what might have been" from the modern Shelby era, and a centerpiece-level Mustang restoration worthy of the most discerning collection.