• First retail production Shelby^® GT350R, VIN 001, commands $1,000,000 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction
• Proceeds from sale benefit JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research
• A combination of changes to aerodynamics and suspension tuning to the new Shelby GT350R Mustang leads to most race-ready road-legal Mustang ever

The first retail production Shelby^® GT350R Mustang, VIN 001, fetched $1,000,000 for charity at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction at WestWorld today. Ford Motor Company auctioned the car at No Reserve, with proceeds benefiting JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research.

After an electrifying bidding war, purchase of the first retail production Shelby GT350R was made by an anonymous bidder who is now the proud owner of this coveted vehicle. They have also made an important contribution to JDRF’s goal to progressively remove the impact of type 1 diabetes from people’s lives.

In 1965, Ford and Carroll Shelby developed a road-racing version of the popular Ford Mustang – the Shelby GT350 Competition model. Lighter, more powerful and with a highly developed suspension, it is one of the most iconic racing Mustangs ever produced.

Arriving later this year, the new Shelby GT350R has been designed and engineered in the same spirit, delivering never-before-seen track capability from a Mustang – thanks to innovations in aerodynamics, chassis engineering and light-weighting technologies.

“We knew the auction of this coveted car would capture the attention of serious enthusiasts,” said Steve Ling, Ford North American Car Marketing manager. “This was one of the most exhilarating auctions to witness, and the winning bidder is taking home a piece of history.”

Shelby GT350R features the first-ever production V8 from Ford with a flat-plane crankshaft – the most powerful naturally aspirated engine Ford has ever produced – plus a specially tuned suspension. It features revised spring rates and antiroll bars, bushings and jounce bumpers, as well as control calibration for the MagneRide dampers, a lower ride height, unique track-tuned alignment settings and cross-axis ball joints in front. Complete vehicle specs and images of the car can be found here.

"JDRF is honored to share in Ford’s 50-year celebration of the new Shelby GT350R at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale,” said Derek Rapp, JDRF president and CEO. “As the leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research, JDRF is extremely proud of our long-time partnership with Ford, and we are tremendously thankful for Ford’s continued support of JDRF.  JDRF benefits greatly from this partnership, which is an essential element of our pursuit of our shared vision of a world without type 1.”

Together, Ford Motor Company and Barrett-Jackson have raised more than $8 million at various auctions benefiting local and national charities.