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The Cars => 1967 Shelby GT350/500 => Topic started by: 2112 on January 13, 2021, 11:25:48 PM

Title: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on January 13, 2021, 11:25:48 PM
My first Exposure to a '67 was in the mid 70's.  I can't honestly remember now if it had LeMans stripes or not. I was about 11 years old at the time.

For the guys who have been at this since the early days, do you recall when the owner applied over the top LeMans stripes started to be the thing to do? Was it from the late 60's? Or did it really get started in the 70's or 80's?

I do remember the first time I heard the phrase "Dealer Installed 427" was around 1981 or 1982.   ::)
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 557 on January 13, 2021, 11:50:09 PM
Well my 67 had lemans stripes when I bought it in 82.My buddy bought a 67 a few months later and it also had lemans stripes.Both cars had been painted non original colors as well.The 3 or 4 other 67s I looked at before I bought mine all didn't have lemans stripes.Old convention photos might be another good source of info.I remember at the 84 convention in Anaheim it was a "mixed bag"of striped/unstriped cars.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: honker on January 14, 2021, 12:12:32 AM
Here's a pic (sorry 'bout the quality, enlarging loses too much resolution, the car was in the back ground of another photo) that I

had posted here earlier in the thread, "Period Pictures, Historical Perspective" post #36, April 26th. 2020.           .

The photo was dated July 30th. '67, and is at Le Circuit Mt. Tremblant (St. Jovite, Quebec Canada)

I took photos around the same time, July, August 1967,  of '67 Shelby Mustangs on the lot  at Sud Automobile, on the south shore

of Montreal and  don't recall seeing any cars with stripes.

Mike

PS: just to be clear, this is a day2 car, after studying the registry this could be  #2105  ? ?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 67 GT350 on January 14, 2021, 09:03:00 AM
A car I bought off the original owner had LeMans Stripes. I was all original. Came out of NJ and it was in Florida when I got it.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: shelbydoug on January 14, 2021, 09:25:27 AM
Since there is absolutely no documentation that any 67 Lemans stripes were applied by SA, I'd think that they are all "day 2" items.

There were some very active "Shelby" new car dealers that were always attempting to promote the cars.

Very early applications of the stripes likely is attributed to some of those dealers.


Now my 67 is an original Gotham Ford card. I found the original owner and discussed the car.

In my case, when I got it, it had a "copy" of the "Supersnake" stripes. I specifically asked him about it.

He said that, he was from Brooklyn when he bought it and enrolled in the LA School of Automotive design soon after and drove the car to LA.

While he was there, there was a flash flood the car was in. He had Allstate Ins, and they refused to total the car and took it to Mel Burns Ford to have it repaired.

Now get this, while it was being repaired, they installed "GT40 seats" (which absolutely no one on this planet knows WTF he is talking about because they have never seen or even heard of them), installed a 427 to replace the flood damaged 428 AND had the stripes painted on the car.

So, I have to just note that information and acknowledge that there are a lot of snowflakes, too many in my view, that when the sun comes out, melt away and disappear?

But the short answer in my case (even though they aren't Lemans stripes but are 'Supersnake stripes, sorry for that) they are "day 2 - original owner installed.


Typically, there just are no easy, yes and no answers and simple boxes to check? Everyone seems to have a story and those that don't, seemingly the story just hasn't been documented yet? That's just they way it is. After all, they are genuine "Shelby's" and since when did those EVER fall into a "cookie cutter" designation? Maybe never? ;)


Incidentally, Gotham in 67 sold more Shelbys then anyone else. I have never heard of any owner claiming that their car was purchased new from Gotham with stripes. Period.

I will also point out that you would have HAD to have bought it from Bill Kolb, and if it meant painting stripes on his mother to sell it to you, he would have. ;)

Ask Howard how Kolb wouldn't let him leave until he bought the '65 at Larsen? They all but locked him in the room.


OH! Bartell did a poster called "Turn 2" which depicts a '67 in a race and it has Lemans stripes on it. That was seen in magazines like Popular Mechanics, but not limited to it, and had to have been influential at the time?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on January 14, 2021, 09:26:09 AM
Quote from: 67 GT350 on January 14, 2021, 09:03:00 AM
A car I bought off the original owner had LeMans Stripes. I was all original. Came out of NJ and it was in Florida when I got it.

When was that?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: jguyer on January 14, 2021, 09:55:02 AM
3120 has had a hard life, started out Brittany Blue (no stripes), sometime before I got it, someone decided over the top stipes are cool:

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/187-140121093212.jpeg)

This is how I received it in '75 (1976 photo).

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/187-140121093042.jpeg)

But this doesn't answer the original question of when it became popular. Other car in photo is KR convertible, it's a nice car and most people like it. But many people think nothing shouts "SHELBY", like Le Mans stripes. So as people modified their cars the stripes got added.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: greekz on January 14, 2021, 10:19:51 AM
When I bought 2339, in 1987, it was painted white ( original Candy Apple Red) after sitting for nine years.  When repainted in 1990 Candy Apple Red, I added stripes because most all cars I saw back then had stripes.


I did the same with 6S1134, it had no stripes in 1992, but a repaint in 1995, stripes were added  Now, it is getting repainted with no stripes.  Tastes change over the years.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 427heaven on January 14, 2021, 10:28:48 AM
It may have been a regional thing... Out on the left coast most real and clones or what ever you want to call non original Shelbys had Le Mans stripes installed in the mid, to latter part of the 1970s. They looked cool then as they do now. They were installed to look more racy and what a young mans dreams were made of back then. :)
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on January 14, 2021, 12:14:34 PM
We all know they didn't come with stripes, but I am guessing the majority have them today.

I am just trying to get a feel when the "tidal wave" came. I can't blame it on gone in 60 seconds, but I wish I could.    ;)
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: roddster on January 14, 2021, 12:30:51 PM
  When did "day 2" begin?  That's right, the day after you brought that new 67 Shelby home.  And then you looked up some Cobra Kit ads or literature and started dreaming....and making plans.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 67 GT350 on January 14, 2021, 12:36:18 PM
Quote from: 2112 on January 14, 2021, 09:26:09 AM
Quote from: 67 GT350 on January 14, 2021, 09:03:00 AM
A car I bought off the original owner had LeMans Stripes. I was all original. Came out of NJ and it was in Florida when I got it.

When was that?

I bought it in 1978. I took a wrong turn and saw it sitting, I knocked on the door, he did not want to sell it, I gave him my number, he called me about 6 months later and said he would sell it. It was a nice car but sat near the intercostal water. All I am saying here, is what I was told. But since everyone says they never installed them, then it was probably the dealer? I guess. (I find it hard to think that ONE car could not have got them? Are we the only life in all the universes? Maybe? Maybe not?) We are to think that nobody said, "Hey Mister Shelby, if I stay late can I take car #@(* and paint stripes on it, just like the 66's?" and Mister Shelby said, "No"?????
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: shelbydoug on January 14, 2021, 01:15:04 PM
Quote from: 67 GT350 on January 14, 2021, 12:36:18 PM
Quote from: 2112 on January 14, 2021, 09:26:09 AM
Quote from: 67 GT350 on January 14, 2021, 09:03:00 AM
A car I bought off the original owner had LeMans Stripes. I was all original. Came out of NJ and it was in Florida when I got it.

When was that?

I bought it in 1978. I took a wrong turn and saw it sitting, I knocked on the door, he did not want to sell it, I gave him my number, he called me about 6 months later and said he would sell it. It was a nice car but sat near the intercostal water. All I am saying here, is what I was told. But since everyone says they never installed them, then it was probably the dealer? I guess. (I find it hard to think that ONE car could not have got them? Are we the only life in all the universes? Maybe? Maybe not?) We are to think that nobody said, "Hey Mister Shelby, if I stay late can I take car #@(* and paint stripes on it, just like the 66's?" and Mister Shelby said, "No"?????

I agree that it is difficult to believe not even one 67 got the stripes at the "airport".

I think that it could be more accurately stated that, no cars were "invoiced" with them? To my knowledge no cars were sold out of the Shelby facility either? I think that is why "Hi-performance motors" was set up? I wouldn't be surprised at all if they were painting on stripes. Like Kolb, they'd do whatever it took to sell the car.

Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Side-Oilers on January 14, 2021, 01:38:35 PM
Also interesting would be to know what the philosophy was in Shelby's mind, and those of his top guys, about NOT putting OTT stripes on the '67s.

They looked great on the earlier cars that had them, and probably helped sell some of those GT350s. 

Was Shelby American's (and/or Ford's) new design philosophy for '67 that their cars should look more subdued/classy...and thus no stripes...not even as an option?

I find that curious.   Why not offer them and charge the extra bucks? 

This may have been discussed before.  Anyone know?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: jguyer on January 14, 2021, 02:01:17 PM
Quote from: 2112 on January 14, 2021, 12:14:34 PM
We all know they didn't come with stripes, but I am guessing the majority have them today.

I am just trying to get a feel when the "tidal wave" came. I can't blame it on gone in 60 seconds, but I wish I could.    ;)

Here's where I lay the blame. ;D

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/187-140121140413.jpeg)
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: JD on January 14, 2021, 04:06:46 PM
Quote from: jguyer on January 14, 2021, 02:01:17 PM

Here's where I lay the blame. ;D

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/187-140121140413.jpeg)

]^^^ Briggs Cunningham !!
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: jguyer on January 14, 2021, 07:21:52 PM
Yeah, Mr. Cunningham did well, but maybe he could have done better if he had Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles driving. Then again we might be in the Cunningham American Automobile Club and be driving Cunningham Cudas. Probably all for the best.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 14, 2021, 09:59:22 PM
Quote from: jguyer on January 14, 2021, 02:01:17 PM
Quote from: 2112 on January 14, 2021, 12:14:34 PM
We all know they didn't come with stripes, but I am guessing the majority have them today.

I am just trying to get a feel when the "tidal wave" came. I can't blame it on gone in 60 seconds, but I wish I could.    ;)

Here's where I lay the blame. ;D

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/187-140121140413.jpeg)

Pete Brock copied the Cunningham stripes on his high school car. So the blame is well placed. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/pete-brock-ford-convert.443944/
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: TJinSA on January 14, 2021, 10:01:17 PM
In the years before briggs, cars were painted colors according to their country of origin.  The U.S. was White and Blue, Briggs was the first notable 'merican and his style of application set a trend....
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: JD on January 14, 2021, 10:50:46 PM
Quote from: TJinSA on January 14, 2021, 10:01:17 PM
In the years before briggs, cars were painted colors according to their country of origin.  The U.S. was White and Blue, Briggs was the first notable 'merican and his style of application set a trend....

Yes, his cars always had this color theme - great that it was/has continued
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Grumpy on January 15, 2021, 02:04:53 PM
Quote from: roddster on January 14, 2021, 12:30:51 PM
  When did "day 2" begin?  That's right, the day after you brought that new 67 Shelby home.  And then you looked up some Cobra Kit ads or literature and started dreaming....and making plans.

It started with the 64/65 Mustangs to. Remember the gay blue 4" stripe they used on them . Then I think Plymouth and others did the same thing. Had a new 65 convertible. It was crazy all the companys that had parts for those cars. I still have the Shelby Catalog with all the cool guy stuff in it. Lots of stuff checked off.  8) My 68 Fastback got traction bars and a new set of rims within the first month. New 70 CJ got lots. Lots of planning before the car came in. Lakewood Traction Bars. SS Crager rims with huge rear tires and a new set of headers from Tubular Automotive
. Winter came and of course I needed some more power. Got a 427 medium riser and a new cam. Hayes Clutch (little hard to push down but my 100# wife had no problem. Of of course ya had to get some gears in it to.. 457's . Cleaning out of my junk an seeing what I did to the poor car. Then smartened up an dove into the Shelby/Cobra market.
.... In the 66-69 period I went to school in Miami. Hung out in Lauderdale. To this day I couldn't believe the amount of brand new cars heavily modified. Those were the days.  ;D
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 15, 2021, 03:04:26 PM
Quote from: Grumpy on January 15, 2021, 02:04:53 PM
.... In the 66-69 period I went to school in Miami. Hung out in Lauderdale. To this day I couldn't believe the amount of brand new cars heavily modified. Those were the days.  ;D
I grew up in SoCal in the 50s & 60s. The first hotrod I ever got to ride in and sorta work on was a friend of my parents sons in about 1958. I was a 55 Chevy gasser. Straight axle small block wheel well headers the whole 9 yards. Decided to get my first car in the 8th grade and swapped my 1/4 midget for a 28 Dodge. In high school our auto shop teacher got us work experience jobs at the local car dealer. I drew Chevy and got to rebuild and test a lot of 396 Camaro & Vette rearends and transmissions. Across the street was the Ford dealer where the driver of an A/Fuel altered I crewed on worked as a mechanic. Every day after 2 hours at Chevy I was across the street at Ford - the biggest perk over there was being the fly on the wall when he and Gas Ronda were talking racing. Around here everything got modified. First was mags a Covico steering wheel (Covina company) the Balenger headers (another Covina company) next a trip to Glendora for Les Ritchey's Performance Associates to throw a good tune on the car. Finally over the hill to Whittier Blvd every Friday & Saturday night. We generally skipped the weekend drags at Irwindale and went on Wednesday when for $2 you could make as many passes as you could get in. Some weekends we'd be at Riverside. Our Boy Scout troop hauled window signs around to all the local stores announcing the races and they let is in for free for doing it. Today I hate going to shows and seeing a line of Shelby's all restored with the only difference being the date codes on the sheetmetal and glass. Those day two mods are the story that the car can tell going back to better than as delivery loses all the history.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 427heaven on January 15, 2021, 05:57:20 PM
Well..... At least there are two of us that feel the same way about these cars. Performance cars said personalize me, and we did! ;D
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: TJinSA on January 15, 2021, 06:31:03 PM
As for the original question? Original Ford Illustrative art had stripes on the cars... remember the two arcing around a curve away from the viewer? I agree with all the posters that say it started right away... when it became "expected"... hell... when was it expected on the 65s and 66s? Easily by the early 70s. because of the race heritage of the earlier cars and the fitting to the styling of the 67s.  stripes on 68s... is another matter all together
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: mark p on January 15, 2021, 06:40:14 PM
Quote from: jguyer on January 14, 2021, 07:21:52 PM
Yeah, Mr. Cunningham did well, but maybe he could have done better if he had Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles driving. Then again we might be in the Cunningham American Automobile Club and be driving Cunningham Cudas. Probably all for the best.

Yeah... and maybe all sportin' some 4-carb Hemi power  ??? ::) 8) :o
Hmmm... I doubt that there would have ever been a Tiger

(https://i.imgur.com/keXXC3b.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8Ad7uxC.jpg?1)
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 15, 2021, 08:01:59 PM
Cunningham was the rich sportsman of the 50s & 60s.
Need 25 cars built to race 1 at LeMans? No problem https://www.streetmusclemag.com/features/sema-coverage/sema-2017-an-original-briggs-cunningham-c-3-vignale-shows-up/
Those pesky Brits want their Americas Cup back? No problem https://www.briggscunningham.com/cunningham-sailing-12-metre/
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Bigfoot on January 15, 2021, 09:17:57 PM
The gentleman who owned car #73 for almost 5 decades painted silver stripes on his factory black car because of his enthusiasm regarding the GT40 that won the 66 Le Mans.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Side-Oilers on January 15, 2021, 10:31:22 PM
I would think that most of us grew up in the '50s, '60s or '70s.  I'm talking being teenagers and in our 20s. Back then, it was almost sacrilegious to be seen in a 100% stock muscle car.

"Stock" meant slow, compared to the cool street cruisers/racers that I grew up seeing on Van Nuys Bl, etc, in SoCal.  Or at the local drags, on "run what you brung" nights. 

I'm taking about street-driven, daily drivers, not pro race cars.  Most of us only had one car.  And we were just regular young guys out looking for everything that young guys seek.

"Stock" cars in my day were either Day One brand new (that's ok), or your sister's car (not cool) or perhaps your mom's car (definitely not cool.)
 
By age 30, most of the muscle car owners guys had aged out, gotten married, had kids, and weren't the ones out there street racing any more. Their muscle cars went on to their second and third owners (more teenagers and/or 20-somethings) who modified them even more.


Turn the clock ahead the 50+ years to today, and we're mostly old-ish guys.  Some of us owned muscle cars back in the day, but many didn't.  That's ok too. 

I'm a Day Two guy, and always have been.  Stripes, mags, fat rear tires, Hurst shifters, headers, giant carbs, built engines, transplanted engines (427!) all the stuff.  We cruised and raced and tore our stuff up doing so, then fixed and improved it the next week.  Always seeking better, faster, cooler. That was the era.

Today, I'm a bit more enlightened, and even like and respect the guys who go the to extremes to have a perfect concours car.    ;D ;D ;D ;D 

Peel out...


Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 6s2055 on January 16, 2021, 02:20:54 AM
I purchased my '67 GT500 (0962) new from S&C Ford. No stripes, nor was it offered. Believe pictures are available on the club archives.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: shelbydoug on January 16, 2021, 07:40:50 AM
Quote from: 6s2055 on January 16, 2021, 02:20:54 AM
I purchased my '67 GT500 (0962) new from S&C Ford. No stripes, nor was it offered. Believe pictures are available on the club archives.

Your pictures disappeared with the crash of the first "forum".
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on January 16, 2021, 12:31:11 PM
Quote from: Side-Oilers on January 15, 2021, 10:31:22 PM
I would think that most of us grew up in the '50s, '60s or '70s.  I'm talking being teenagers and in our 20s. Back then, it was almost sacrilegious to be seen in a 100% stock muscle car.
"Stock" cars in my day were either Day One brand new (that's ok), or your sister's car (not cool) or perhaps your mom's car (definitely not cool.)
  By age 30, most of the muscle car owners guys had aged out, gotten married, had kids, and weren't the ones out there street racing any more. Their muscle cars went on to their second and third owners (more teenagers and/or 20-somethings) who modified them even more.

How true. By the time I got rid of my first new car (bought at age 19) 1970 Road Runner it had a fully built 440 instead of the 383 and a full manual Torque Flite in place of the stick. It would run in the 12s. I found with E70 Goodyear Polyglas in the front and G70s in the rear it cornered fairly neutral. I've been sorting stuff to move and came across the owners manual. It's got the VIN in it and I'm going to try and track it down. I guess maybe for us the day two mods were the reasons we enjoyed working on cars. Today maybe the fun is taking those day two mods off.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 68countrysedan on January 16, 2021, 02:06:18 PM
Just shows life's persective. I doubt few, if any, thought about their cars 5, 10, or 20 years into the future. During that time, life happens - work, family, stuff. Now, the perspective is looking back, via the restoration lens and the stratospheric rise in values.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on January 16, 2021, 02:29:30 PM
And yet today, The majority of Gen I Muscle is "Numbers matching" and riding on it's "original wheels".     ;D
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 6s2055 on January 18, 2021, 03:32:29 AM
Shelby dog,
Being from the "old school,gray group" do not know how to post pictures. However, I can send them plus my Cobras to someone via email or tex.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: shelbydoug on January 19, 2021, 07:07:47 AM
I do not think that it is coincidental that they appear almost overnight, like a flock of seagulls at the pier, around the time of "the movie".
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: propayne on January 19, 2021, 08:22:19 AM
The (George Bartell?) illustrations used for marketing when the cars were new have been referenced but not posted on this thread, so here they are.

Scanned and cleaned up by me from my stash of vintage magazines and race programs.

- Phillip

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/134-190121081753.jpeg)
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on January 19, 2021, 10:29:34 AM
^^^^ Love the grin on the driver's face.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: greekz on January 19, 2021, 10:52:22 AM
That is the illustration that swayed my decision to put stripes on my '67 back in 1990.  They must have had them, since many cars did by then.  Then, like now, it is easy to be influenced by something in print.

Greek
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: shelbydoug on January 19, 2021, 11:04:11 AM
Quote from: greekz on January 19, 2021, 10:52:22 AM
That is the illustration that swayed my decision to put stripes on my '67 back in 1990.  They must have had them, since many cars did by then.  Then, like now, it is easy to be influenced by something in print.

Greek

I believe that I am quoting Dave Mathews correctly in saying, "no cars were invoiced with them".

If that is true, then it is a modification to a "Day 2" car, as Mr.Gaines MIGHT say.

So personally I feel that if you want to do stripes, do it. I don't hold out for a virginal car. I have my own tastes.  ;D
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: roddster on January 19, 2021, 05:09:58 PM
  Mr. Bartells illustration:  Maybe this is another source for the incorrect placement of the side stripes
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: shelbydoug on January 19, 2021, 05:21:06 PM
Quote from: roddster on January 19, 2021, 05:09:58 PM
  Mr. Bartells illustration:  Maybe this is another source for the incorrect placement of the side stripes

It wasn't his fault. There was no SAAC Forum then.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Side-Oilers on January 19, 2021, 09:39:56 PM
Quote from: 2112 on January 19, 2021, 10:29:34 AM
^^^^ Love the grin on the driver's face.

I wonder if that was supposed  to be CS?  He's well dressed.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Side-Oilers on January 19, 2021, 09:41:21 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on January 19, 2021, 11:04:11 AM
Quote from: greekz on January 19, 2021, 10:52:22 AM
That is the illustration that swayed my decision to put stripes on my '67 back in 1990.  They must have had them, since many cars did by then.  Then, like now, it is easy to be influenced by something in print.

Greek

I believe that I am quoting Dave Mathews correctly in saying, "no cars were invoiced with them".

If that is true, then it is a modification to a "Day 2" car, as Mr.Gaines MIGHT say.

So personally I feel that if you want to do stripes, do it. I don't hold out for a virginal car. I have my own tastes.  ;D

There ought to be a movie about the 54 year old virgin...Shelby Mustang.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: oldcanuck on January 19, 2021, 09:46:45 PM
Quote from: Side-Oilers on January 19, 2021, 09:39:56 PM
Quote from: 2112 on January 19, 2021, 10:29:34 AM
^^^^ Love the grin on the driver's face.

I wonder if that was supposed  to be CS?  He's well dressed.

I thought the same thing when I saw all those teeth and sun glasses !
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 427heaven on January 19, 2021, 10:18:55 PM
Whats not to love about that picture. The iconic SHELBY colors, with a well fed driver, happy as can be driving one of those new fangled machines. Those images are ingrained in many of our minds, and with most performance cars of that time, the best had stripes. I try to have some sort of stripes even on my newer vehicles as a throwback from back in the day. Starting off with HOT WHEELS, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Cars Boats, Airplanes everything has stripes. Truly a time to cherish!
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Side-Oilers on January 19, 2021, 11:31:48 PM
Quote from: 427heaven on January 19, 2021, 10:18:55 PM
Whats not to love about that picture. The iconic SHELBY colors, with a well fed driver, happy as can be driving one of those new fangled machines. Those images are ingrained in many of our minds, and with most performance cars of that time, the best had stripes. I try to have some sort of stripes even on my newer vehicles as a throwback from back in the day. Starting off with HOT WHEELS, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Cars Boats, Airplanes everything has stripes. Truly a time to cherish!

^^^+1 427heaven!

When I bought my KR in 1982, it did not (and still does not) have stripes.  I personally like the OTT stripes, but I soon got tired of explaining to random people that they're incorrect in their belief that "All Shelbys have stripes!"
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: roddster on January 20, 2021, 10:19:20 AM
Quote from: 427heaven on January 19, 2021, 10:18:55 PM
Whats not to love about that picture. The iconic SHELBY colors, with a well fed driver, happy as can be driving one of those new fangled machines. Those images are ingrained in many of our minds, and with most performance cars of that time, the best had stripes. I try to have some sort of stripes even on my newer vehicles as a throwback from back in the day. Starting off with HOT WHEELS, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Cars Boats, Airplanes everything has stripes. Truly a time to cherish!
And add to that: Slot car racing and building model cars.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: roddster on January 30, 2021, 03:19:25 PM
  A suggestion on this occured right after reading the weekly Ford Performance Email.
    How about we call them Cunningham stripes?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: jguyer on January 30, 2021, 06:12:15 PM
They also used them for Le Mans, so the term "Le Mans Stripes" is good all around.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: roddster on January 31, 2021, 11:47:01 AM
  Yep, Cunningham used them at LeMans.....
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Richstang on January 31, 2021, 12:18:37 PM
Cunningham was certainly the trendsetter here and first with the OTT stripes.
'LeMans Stripes' was the name given by SAI for the 1967 model year.
A year earlier for 1966, SAI called them 'Rally Stripes'.

There's a more in depth look at this topic in our SRG group.
https://groups.google.com/g/shelbyresearch/c/mxaLAl-p1kU
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 68krrrr on February 17, 2021, 03:38:22 PM
Couple of custom stripe jobs looks like from the 60s or 70's  this picture was taken, check out the solid stripe on the Nightmist blue car
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Side-Oilers on February 17, 2021, 04:18:48 PM
Can't quite read the license tag...Ohio?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: gt350cs on February 17, 2021, 05:04:05 PM
Don't believe that the plate are Ohio. Theirs were white background I think Number. The digits appear to be 823-A0F

They could be first issue plates, would be good to get the VIN.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on February 17, 2021, 05:27:47 PM
Love the picture! I will guess 1975 based on the hair and clothes.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: S7MS427 on February 17, 2021, 05:45:10 PM
Could those be Garden State tags?  NJ use a kind of light tan/off muddy yellow background on their plates.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: JD on February 17, 2021, 05:47:31 PM
Quote from: S7MS427 on February 17, 2021, 05:45:10 PM
Could those be Garden State tags?  NJ use a kind of light tan/off muddy yellow background on their plates.

That's what I was thinking, they don't look like Ohio
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: davez on February 17, 2021, 06:23:38 PM
I'm not sure I see New Jersey spelled there, maybe on the bottom. Virginia used to be white tags with black digits  for odd years 65,67,69, Black tags white digits  even years 64,66,68
Could be very dirty white tags. In the 70's they were white tags blue letters all years
dz

Not virginia
Here's a set I have from 67
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 427heaven on February 17, 2021, 07:20:26 PM
I can see a small line above the gas cap separating the stripes, with a nice factory looking taper on the rear valance. Proof not just the left coasters could appreciate the bitchen racing stripes of the time. ;D
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: S7MS427 on February 17, 2021, 10:35:00 PM
The character sequencing looks right for that era, three numerals followed by three letters.  Maybe I'm fooling myself but I can almost believe I see NEW JERSEY across the top of the plate and GARDEN STATE across the bottom.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: mark p on February 18, 2021, 10:59:02 AM
Quote from: davez on February 17, 2021, 06:23:38 PM
I'm not sure I see New Jersey spelled there, maybe on the bottom...
dz

Not virginia
Here's a set I have from 67

Looks like NJ tags in the 70's did not "spell out"  New Jersey at the top - just "NJ" (checked an old photo of car/tags I got in '75, photo from '78).
My photo shows the 3-number/3-letter format, with a "dash" between them per that photo.
(The blue tags - instituted later in the 70's - did have New Jersey spelled out at the top)

Where is "Bill"??? If it was NJ... he probably knew the cars and the guys  8) ::)
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Side-Oilers on February 18, 2021, 02:56:04 PM
Does anyone other then me see what looks like four letters (the state?) on the top of the plate?

Iowa? 

I agree with 2112 that it looks like mid-70s. 1973-76 seems about right to me. 
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on February 18, 2021, 03:10:50 PM
My Story line for the pic is two buddies trying to spruce up and hot rod their used Shelbys on a budget. After all, they were only making $1.70/hour at the gas/pizza station.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: JD on February 18, 2021, 03:31:14 PM
Quote from: Side-Oilers on February 18, 2021, 02:56:04 PM
Does anyone other then me see what looks like four letters (the state?) on the top of the plate?

Iowa? 

I agree with 2112 that it looks like mid-70s. 1973-76 seems about right to me. 

I too saw the four letters and thought it might be Ohio, but the only Ohio plate from 1967 to current, that was yellow, was 1971 and it does not match the plate in the photo (see attached).
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: oldcanuck on February 18, 2021, 05:26:37 PM
Late '60s to early '70s "TENN" tags were white with black letters/numbers ?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on February 18, 2021, 07:52:02 PM
I couldn't get the little N.J. state logo to come up in the middle.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 68krrrr on February 18, 2021, 08:41:49 PM
That looks like it right there to me  2112 & i checked back in the comments of the original pic which i found on IG & there's no clues .But was thinking  my 1st thought was that  the one with the black stripes is lime green ,but  now i'm thinking it also could be brittany blue ? & the hood on the night mist blue one in the back ground  looks like a solid stripe to me, even though the deck lid does look like it has a slight gap.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on February 18, 2021, 09:33:12 PM
I am pretty sure it is lime gold.

Maybe they were doing their own stripes and had to guess on spacing. One ended up being too tight and the other too far apart?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: mark p on February 18, 2021, 10:32:46 PM
FWIW... here's the photo of  the tag that I got in '75.
I also checked the blue tag (from '79), and it did have the shape of NJ instead of a dash between the letters and numbers.
(https://i.imgur.com/dkj3OQl.jpg)
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Side-Oilers on February 18, 2021, 11:29:26 PM
Quote from: oldcanuck on February 18, 2021, 05:26:37 PM
Late '60s to early '70s "TENN" tags were white with black letters/numbers ?

I haven't looked it up, but I seem to remember that all the old time Tenn plates had a black outline of the state's shape.  I can't see that on the car.

Others might know more...
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on February 19, 2021, 12:29:47 AM
you can look up plates here. Each state has most of the past years loaded on here;

https://www.licenseplates.tv/usa-state-plates.html
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: oldcanuck on February 19, 2021, 10:16:05 AM
Quote from: Side-Oilers on February 18, 2021, 11:29:26 PM
Quote from: oldcanuck on February 18, 2021, 05:26:37 PM
Late '60s to early '70s "TENN" tags were white with black letters/numbers ?

I haven't looked it up, but I seem to remember that all the old time Tenn plates had a black outline of the state's shape.  I can't see that on the car.

Others might know more...

I believe you are correct.... I forgot about that. I run a 1966 Tenn commercial plate on my car because its black.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: roddster on February 19, 2021, 02:40:28 PM
   Just a comment: seems we can't stop morphing any topic.  Wasn't this thread started about the OTT ???
A page and a half about license plates???
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: oldcanuck on February 19, 2021, 04:52:13 PM
Quote from: roddster on February 19, 2021, 02:40:28 PM
   Just a comment: seems we can't stop morphing any topic.  Wasn't this thread started about the OTT ???
A page and a half about license plates???

You are correct.... I apologize for my part of getting caught up in all the majesty of that vintage stripes picture.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Side-Oilers on February 19, 2021, 06:43:50 PM
Not looking to get in any sort of disagreement with anyone, but I think if one reads the entirety of this thread, the discussion about what state plates are on that Shelby could be helpful in identifying the car, and then possibly connecting a VIN and/or history to it...which would be valuable to SAAC, or possibly to a previous or current owner.

If that photo hadn't been found and posted because of searching for old pix of cars with OTT stripes, we'd possibly have never seen those two Shelbys at all.

As this is a historical Shelby site, the reasoning of "morphing" the thread to discuss the plates on the Shelby with OTT stripes sounds reasonable to me.

Other thoughts? 
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on February 19, 2021, 06:46:48 PM
I agree Van. Yeah, the plates are off topic, but it was a picture of OTT stripes that brought the subject up.

A subject that may or may not deserve it's own thread. If this somehow brought us more information about the two cars in the picture (a new picture to most of us) then it would be a big win.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: honker on March 30, 2021, 04:56:35 PM
This car (#2800) might have been on the old forum ?

another example of day 2 stripes.

From the 2011 registry says the car is still in barn find condition, any updates ?

(photos: no credit given)

PS: bottom one  another I have in my files, stripes look narrower on the roof ?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Richstang on March 30, 2021, 07:14:07 PM
Quote from: honker on March 30, 2021, 04:56:35 PM
This car (#2800) might have been on the old forum ?

another example of day 2 stripes.

From the 2011 registry says the car is still in barn find condition, any updates ?

(photos: no credit given)

Tom Cotter is credited with finding this one. Last I heard he still owns it in the same condition.
Flat Black Rally Stripes over the top are different
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 557 on March 30, 2021, 08:08:51 PM
Gritty lookin.I like it.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on April 13, 2021, 04:11:26 PM
Where it all started. https://usrallystripesshop.com/pages/racing_stripes
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: mark p on April 13, 2021, 05:55:38 PM
nice to see that ^^^
Thanks for posting the link.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on April 13, 2021, 06:15:18 PM
+1 great link, thanks
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: shelbydoug on April 14, 2021, 07:59:17 AM
Well first off, it's a nice piece but personally I'd like to see more credits, like who is the author of the article?

The illustration of the stripe dimensions is Jeff Burgy's. How about a credit there?


I admit that I have to laugh that EVERY time I read or hear the references to "correct Shelby Lemans stripes", I automatically start looking for the taper as Jeff illustrated.

Those dimensions are for the first generation cars and there are no "correct" dimensions for a '67 because there are no factory applied '67 stripes. Lots of video game owners here I suppose that would refer to those cartoons as "original"?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: mark p on April 14, 2021, 10:59:24 AM
^^^ it's the internet... we don't need no stinkin' credits or sources (or facts?)  ::) ???

I don't recall ever hearing the bit (or seeing a photo) about Pete Brock having those stripes on a '46 Ford... anyone have anything further on that? ...is it even true?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: SFM66H on April 14, 2021, 02:34:51 PM
And then there's this theory (note the Shelby features!):

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/52-140421143239.jpeg)
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: TOBKOB on April 14, 2021, 08:18:44 PM
^^^ BINGO  ;D

TOB
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: CSX4781 on April 14, 2021, 09:45:13 PM
Good article about Pete's 46 Ford. Didn't know there were this many photos of it.

https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Pete_Brock%27s_1946_Ford

Dave
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: jguyer on April 14, 2021, 09:59:29 PM
Quote from: mark p on April 14, 2021, 10:59:24 AM
^^^ it's the internet... we don't need no stinkin' credits or sources (or facts?)  ::) ???

I don't recall ever hearing the bit (or seeing a photo) about Pete Brock having those stripes on a '46 Ford... anyone have anything further on that? ...is it even true?
I hate going to links.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: Don Johnston on April 14, 2021, 10:09:46 PM
Do his trailers have a stripe option?
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 2112 on April 14, 2021, 10:18:18 PM
Quote from: Don Johnston on April 14, 2021, 10:09:46 PM
Do his trailers have a stripe option?

Just the stripe delete option.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: mark p on April 14, 2021, 11:16:12 PM
Quote from: CSX4781 on April 14, 2021, 09:45:13 PM
Good article about Pete's 46 Ford. Didn't know there were this many photos of it.

https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Pete_Brock%27s_1946_Ford
Dave

thank you.
Title: Re: When did OTT LeMans stripes become a thing?
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on April 15, 2021, 12:07:43 AM
Quote from: roddster on January 31, 2021, 11:47:01 AM
  Yep, Cunningham used them at LeMans.....
In 1950 they were kinda wide. The Coupe is stock - LeMonster is the same stock 50 Caddy chassis with an aluminum body. The put 2 carbs on it.