Being a professional race car driver has always been a dangerous profession, but back in the day it was borderline reckless. Many a famous driver lost his life behind the wheel, including many up-and-comers like Ken Miles, who died while testing a Ford J-car. Miles didn’t just leave behind a legacy of what could have been; he also left behind an un-driven ‘66 Shelby GT350 Trans Am car, one of just 16 built for the 1966 racing season.

It is this car that Hemmings Auto Blog reports will be going up for auction next January as part of Mecum’s Kissimmee auction. After Miles’ untimely death, the car was passed on to another racer, John McComb, who turned tragedy into victory by taking Miles’ car and racing it to a couple of checkered flags within two weeks of receiving it.

As already noted, the Mustang was one of just 16 built by Shelby for the ‘66 racing season after Shelby itself pulled out of Trans Am in 1965. All 16 cars were sold to privateer racing teams, among them Ken Miles, who never even had a chance to compete in the car. After his death, McComb was called and offered the car.

Despite the tragic circumstances, McComb went on to win two races in two weeks, and nearly won a third, though a rookie mistake relegated him to a fourth-place finish instead. After that season McComb would buy another Shelby Mustang that helped him win the Trans Am points championship in 1967, while the rare ‘66 changed hands numerous times before slowly rotting to rust in a Texas field.

Thankfully the Shelby was found and restored, and will be sold at auction where it is expected to bring a princely sum. Any wagers as to what this Shelby brings when the gavel falls?