SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1965 GT350/R-Model => Topic started by: Bossssssss on April 21, 2018, 05:34:42 PM

Title: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bossssssss on April 21, 2018, 05:34:42 PM
Hi,
I have a fiberglass gauge pod that I believe has never been used. Trying to determine if it is an original item.

When viewed from the backside, it has rough fiberglass that can be seen (mostly in the 'middle' where the gauges mount) as there is also fiberglass matting which covers the upper and lower areas.

The outside of it is smooth for the most part. I would call it a flat to semi flat black paint on it.

No holes are drilled anywhere in it (so I do not think it was ever used/mounted).

I think the previous owner put what I believe to be original black wind lace around the entire edge of it. I slightly moved it to the side where the ends of it meet and found that it can be easily removed. Maybe it cam with it from the factory? It looks good on it, but not sure it is original or not. 

Quite dusty as it was sitting for decades, so I am going to photo it as is and then probably wash it and photo it again.

Any info out there on original fiberglass pods?
thanks in advance.


Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: GT350Lad on April 21, 2018, 06:19:05 PM
Photos would be good, cheers
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: mygt350 on April 21, 2018, 07:02:03 PM
If it is indeed an original and you decide to part with it, I would be interested.
Martin
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: SFM5S000 on April 21, 2018, 07:31:43 PM
Bossssssss,

Is the pod textured lightly on the top and over the edge then smooth on the face where the gauges go and lower portion?

Cheers,
~Earl J
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bossssssss on April 21, 2018, 08:27:41 PM
Hi Guys,
I will take some photo's of it tomorrow in 'as found' condition and post them. The forecast is supposed to be sunny in my area (very rare for upstate New York area), so you will will be able to decide for yourselves the 'look' of it.

Thanks,
Mark
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bossssssss on April 22, 2018, 04:34:58 PM
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/545-220418162939.png)

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/545-220418162859.png)

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/545-220418162820.png)

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/545-220418162741.png)

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/545-220418162707.png)

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/545-220418162626.png)

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/545-220418162541.png)

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/545-220418162451.png)

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/545-220418162412.png)

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/545-220418162317.png)

(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/545-220418162119.png)

Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: gt350hr on April 23, 2018, 12:06:22 PM
 I used to own the original from a three digit car . It was done with a chopper gun IIRC . Certainly did have texture on the top. 
    Randy
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: mygt350 on April 23, 2018, 01:36:04 PM
If old age hasn't caught up with me too much, I remember original pod on 5S228 had texture on top as well.
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: SFM5S000 on April 23, 2018, 02:09:33 PM
Well, if it were an original, I would see mounting holes. Granted the pinch on edging material doesn't belong on there, but the missing holes would indicate to me it is not. Unless they're under the edging. I can see the texture, it is very very fine.

~Earl J
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: sfm5s081 on April 23, 2018, 03:08:00 PM
I know that the pods were changed somewhere after car #100. Wan't there an issue with them melting in the CA sun?
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bob Gaines on April 23, 2018, 04:20:13 PM
I know that the pods were changed somewhere after car #100. Wan't there an issue with them melting in the CA sun?
The plastic pods sometimes warped badly with the suns help. The fiberglass pod did not deform remotely like the plastic pod did and was the evolution in production and service replacement.
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: SFM5S000 on April 23, 2018, 04:34:35 PM
As I recall, it started with fiberglass (determined it was too laborious to make) then to injected molded plastic (cheaper to make but didn't survive and warped badly with the help of the sun) then back to fiberglass. This is off the top of my head without looking it up.
Supplies from vendors for various parts changed too, steering wheels, hoods, pods, traction bar covers etc. Hand built cars, gotta love'em.

Cheers,
~Earl J
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: texas swede on April 23, 2018, 04:53:20 PM
5S275 came with a plastic pod which a previous owner gave me some years ago.
It had warped so bad so the top had to be broken off to get it off the car.
When I bought my car in Feb of 1988 it came with a repo pod. After many years of searching
I found an original fiber glass pod with an original oil pressure gauge. Sold the gauge to another
65 owner. Tried to post pictures but it's like pulling teeth and I gave up.
Texas Swede
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bossssssss on April 23, 2018, 07:51:05 PM
The reason it has no holes is that I do not think it was ever used/mounted. There does not appear to have any witness marks where the gauges mount.

I heard that these were offered in the Shelby parts book? but not sure. Can anyone please confirm either way?

Also, does anyone know if reproductions ever offered in fiberglass?

TIA
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bigfoot on April 23, 2018, 08:40:26 PM
     Tried to post pictures but it's like pulling teeth and I gave up.
Texas Swede

Indeed
I’ll post some pics of an NOS piece if we can fix the pulling of teeth issue.
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: SFM5S000 on April 23, 2018, 08:41:06 PM
Bill Maier's were done in (chopped mat) fiberglass, Craig Conley's in cloth and chopped mat fiberglass similar to your piece. I've seen both.

~E
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Vernon Estes on April 24, 2018, 11:16:20 AM
Figured I would throw my two cents in here..the earliest gauge pods vary pretty widely from the later pods. Both in construction as well as the other texture and the areas where the texture is actually located on the gauge pod. 

Ive seen this particular version on 3 cars which have been in the shop so far this year, two of the cars had their old crusty pods with them in parts boxes and the third had an NOS pod on it in the same style. These cars range from mid 200s serial numbers to a 5S396. This mid production pod is what I have seen most commonly used..made of plastic with a sheet of fiberglass reinforcing the pod under the top surface of the pod. Obviously, it didnt work well as i have rarely seen one of these survive well on a car.  The pod has texture on every external surface of the pod.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ue729zwKrwtkxg3g1
https://photos.app.goo.gl/S0YahVEpYQp0jAY43
https://photos.app.goo.gl/lR0fz5V9bolYS1lw2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tgAZOS0rSFiCXd9E3
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hj35fcvMGmSrOn5Z2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hj35fcvMGmSrOn5Z2

For comparison, the following is a very early guage pod. Much thicker, much harder, completely different texture on the top and bottom, and a smooth face surface on the pod. While rare and only on the earliest cars, these early pods actually seemed to be far more durable.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5qr3dFk8MCyEyfRi1
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uxGl9ZRi1q8esjfk1
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4qD0WeSBAyVFLP253

Kind regards,
Vern
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: gt350hr on April 24, 2018, 12:51:00 PM
  The one I owned was from 5S034 ( now owned by Craig Jackson) it was consistent with Vern's second set of photographs. It actually had divits where the screws were located. I sold it 40+ years ago.
    Randy
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bob Gaines on April 24, 2018, 03:09:25 PM
Figured I would throw my two cents in here..the earliest gauge pods vary pretty widely from the later pods. Both in construction as well as the other texture and the areas where the texture is actually located on the gauge pod. 

Ive seen this particular version on 3 cars which have been in the shop so far this year, two of the cars had their old crusty pods with them in parts boxes and the third had an NOS pod on it in the same style. These cars range from mid 200s serial numbers to a 5S396. This mid production pod is what I have seen most commonly used..made of plastic with a sheet of fiberglass reinforcing the pod under the top surface of the pod. Obviously, it didnt work well as i have rarely seen one of these survive well on a car.  The pod has texture on every external surface of the pod.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ue729zwKrwtkxg3g1
https://photos.app.goo.gl/S0YahVEpYQp0jAY43
https://photos.app.goo.gl/lR0fz5V9bolYS1lw2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tgAZOS0rSFiCXd9E3
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hj35fcvMGmSrOn5Z2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hj35fcvMGmSrOn5Z2

For comparison, the following is a very early guage pod. Much thicker, much harder, completely different texture on the top and bottom, and a smooth face surface on the pod. While rare and only on the earliest cars, these early pods actually seemed to be far more durable.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5qr3dFk8MCyEyfRi1
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uxGl9ZRi1q8esjfk1
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4qD0WeSBAyVFLP253

Kind regards,
Vern
Vern , was the last set of three pictures the plastic or the fiberglass type pods . The first set of pods appeared to be the plastic type that had been reinforced with fiberglass. The reason why I ask is that the fiberglass pods I have seen did not have the some grain as the plastic .
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: gt350hr on April 24, 2018, 06:24:49 PM
     The early gauge pods were hand laid fiberglass , and had a slight texture to them . It was not as grainy as the molded plastic version.
   Randy
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Vernon Estes on April 24, 2018, 06:46:43 PM
     The early gauge pods were hand laid fiberglass , and had a slight texture to them . It was not as grainy as the molded plastic version.
   Randy

+1, it is fiberglass muuuuuch thicker and more sturdy than the later pods

And I agree on the difference in texture. The early pods seemed to have the smooth face with texture on the top, bottom, and sides of them. The texture is also more "bumpy" than it is a graining IMO. The early pods are even shaped slightly different. IMO, they perform the same purpose and have the same general look but they are very different from the pods which came on later cars.

Kind regards,
Vern
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: texas swede on April 24, 2018, 10:55:23 PM
One thing I have noticed, originals seem to have factory made hoes for the tach and oil pressure gauges,
i.e. they are smooth and completely round. In a magazine I have, they show a picture from SA where a guy is
putting the pods ready for going into the cars. See if I can find it and scan it and post it.
Texas Swede
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bob Gaines on April 25, 2018, 01:06:21 AM
One thing I have noticed, originals seem to have factory made hoes for the tach and oil pressure gauges,
i.e. they are smooth and completely round. In a magazine I have, they show a picture from SA where a guy is
putting the pods ready for going into the cars. See if I can find it and scan it and post it.
Texas Swede
Here is one of the R+T outtakes.  (http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/66-250418003748.jpeg)
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bossssssss on April 25, 2018, 06:04:21 AM
Were the gauge pods available through / listed in any of the Shelby parts books? 
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Vernon Estes on April 25, 2018, 07:19:01 AM
Were the gauge pods available through / listed in any of the Shelby parts books?

Yes, they weee. They were not available individually but they were sold as a set complete with Tach, OP gauge, and the aeroquip line/misc associated hardware. I’ll post a pic later today as I have a few of those catalogs laying around at the office.

Kind regards,
Vern
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: gt350hr on April 25, 2018, 10:35:05 AM
    The empty vacuum formed , fiberglass reinforced ( second gen) was available from Ford Parts and service.  I bought one in '72 and sold it immediately. It was that bad.
    Randy
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bigfoot on April 25, 2018, 10:46:30 AM
Mine is fiberglass reinforced Service piece.
NOS
Smooth on outside. No real grain.
Bought it from Bob years ago.
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Brant on April 25, 2018, 10:49:46 AM
I personally think that it is very difficult to nail down which type of pod came in which cars. This is based on a lot of observation, original pictures, and warranty paperwork.

It is interesting to note that 5S162 had its pod replaced when the car was brand new and arrived to the dealer. Apparently, just during the trip from the west coast to east coast, the pod warped. There is warranty paperwork from Shelby American dated 11-4-65 for a S1MS-17362-A  gauge cover replaced due to being "distorted". Car is listed with mileage of "0".

Apparently, this was a plastic pod that was replaced with a plastic pod. The reason that I say this is because it was replaced again under warranty on 3-26-66 with mileage of 1563 for the same reason. The same part number was used, but I just bet that this time the hard fiberglass pod was used, because that's what is in the car today. There's no way this pod is going to "distort".

I've seen this style in quite a few cars that came from this production time.

It would be interesting to shuffle through all of the paperwork to see just how many of these pods were replaced under warranty.

Here's the top rough texture:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/o2v6i3AMZdJ8u_qbYk5EnvoQvOWWI1Irzc47bWnxYWsV0O0vYZOQWqg1tYbf6-8OjONC_3IHj7TPRd2qLiqkufUOqc7AYyWavgb_sBu-Gh_5qNNDa-VVwjRZISqgHSLMaMjK1SOGb9PuKVqPo_TyRkyH2jUX1EPH4XA0IbgA3Fxh5KxEEUL6_CFuhHy5Sj8p5tLMq2ISgAEA-I_8YR9me1lTtEoxs31ATQoZFEPxt8pis1yrE4dEN0IsZb1M6oEs2N_kD9s9T4nzg8eE796FakcWQc_f9jK6F7f3B226uPnXxlYAQag2tW6gckuQWgtk7m43-ssWsoBLrXr-KZjAu5lYajX-01-Z5CfDdJzAeHuUsRXvAmfOT9VekpL8qmVoWw3C9w3C8LIxQcXhVFEGirN_Kn2o3labFSt0KxIrPkyAHM3M7BNux-zm9RP6XeEskXwgI1znfD-jPQAzBUkRM6fkkmdmoY2MogYWLWcdwVo016fSX32gN3eJwEBhzWio6WS0Wku7ZE4A1q1omsoM1EkJ4y2ricg8BH0fv7HBG9vam_wNBUHQW8-Qqn0fwvVUHBtu9XlaYEhin7I-R5JEbMhMfaPVbetPQ3o37DI=w600-no)

...the bottom and gauge "face" are smooth:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/k6TC414dOMc6Qytt1Odr_tLngAMdqNGQEuQOBQQAsxfGVWcRgolOQ5CTmTtxTnftHYh5GkUDF-1tEK0B1SKKkDjJ4YHlNrwG4QqaixrBmDOtg--DDX5tbfYaQUWDwgVPYqEhJej3Z_w01XVe38JvKHI8xM-OWqFS3ynBifB4qH8ZFKcKoydSkiDM7QNVipZSs1SxtMiwy1PYvReEOMbzj_1UdBbMeL15Z0s7RPMIrYnA9X7aElz_LlpEfiPL_mAtBWQFCwtS9VnEAdu7_3_QcrVGGKgHMS6BAm8pO4lcPQs3eFLgRkX3ys-4pMK9C-e0vxFMRS3pnHfJJzvlc4tOMSopBav-2z-RsCM5oSqfpy28S70qbmxCNFoAhL0Vzi3zA1AivtcIqnPZiB8khx4H2pWN43GrNch1Oh82_N61SwaVq3_UUnFHqVp3fU3fgnqRK5Y1G2W29o9XyhGZhBv8g1jus5h5v9KO-cZKQLs8nO-BWSD4ECpHKBc83-Rsda3nS4oNJisxmIwxtbkWxYY4u__nIqOI0kb2O4Gbx6zBa7TdgelFW2Ppuh2hLih46v4rimMj6z_J0pgsuDhXytTvSRhFIe-Bxgj7l5tDbFc=w600-no)
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Vernon Estes on April 25, 2018, 12:20:44 PM
Picture of parts catalog offering...

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cMLxvzpjpIZpKCvT77nSp7EKsvJGh_fpMfyXC2PTcQLZAzTKrFv4hhdRPHQBCVmDkpmzBDXODqF6qnuHHfYidaz7PRwOJlxfoVL171bl1bLd7Ae-bhYS3-QwvuodQTGsRtaiHoeqsRqiVwgNbOK2t3OHXHm-hZV9AcNwUXVb5qWOCOM2nuktqdqBDpssAmxwpdzoiqDhAMhy9vSLxxTIg5rI0x_-bAc8bb0XlgVPUTGoe3OpCkFwQc-VAdtk1jux_5qZzlXHbQm6EC66W2ck2PXR3JuyQRdu8IkvEL-KrmBa7hJz5IN2Ul8Vz17qYhQGD1dFGFIatIEj_zHNcA2qoNco82LvqVxf4_DAO1FvO-xJiU5M4e8qgVLI6RErhmkRli4ZzsPqd286m6m5ieny0P9cPDA3UgGuc_eXJXvbgV1paMZznX10z6jp3cq4p6PSgbxL5-p40pwMg6C92v5Rjxke3SeveDfoPJGq_FzaE6YtLVNBT0CBxomlwJZJa-4Tqs15TexcbTHDXGVzDdh2jQA9yVFAY1KDneVXNdV9g-ShmxHOnQ-m5YK5N5MMUUBDEv_7KViW4kL6FRxefqJQCwEwLXw_vSGLfb-vA0Y=w1299-h974-no)

Another set of images of the pod from a 5S42X serial car owned by a forum member,..

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CPA0AyYhBeX27Soo8r4ovJYVDrAHKHyFwiC4Agv8LTfpJTsVgFTLo0IdiWw5-ZsgvbfM1I3qu-hjkH79bjo9PL9NM8oJyna87H6mx4K00bskgNq1gEZSQ4dBcFyLInINW1-Voyd6v2gfycD4B7asRQF2rYvRtfn4_BW8m7rZ_c91MM5yqSrO_vzLrZMNITyM3brBgmIt7ZxIm5mU3RR9aQXMl7tgN02hJlqm7ZyvFVsXN6hzh9IAlIkTnliJew1zycIzdRUGT4g3K_ETekN-1JSzJSIXZk9uL0mCKKybruhgvbTobeM2trGlrEdbekhkSEocVmMJfemWeoEnssimgPfSi-QpeyfkhoKGZOAXO_bb0Ok-ohoJfUQOnCJ4K2SMzAZ7ktYPE1JfAdZvkBSgVBfhsCvXlZZtp29uhDQUkTtMgUjEuJLE8mNdhX-0N57KM2b4czW7N6wTcvRm3nM6HJtdFv9lnf-eXltQabyx-OnpktInl3qH73_JDfYkVAsNvVOjay9YKBD6OKenIvptNu6eBLr7omPCey7VJoh3dLl4zcte0JpHeM2kXL6pRo0Y0HjoTJkj34dHY_wBBkB0RqQErRKGKB4C3EZEa5o=w1299-h974-no)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/X-VD5QY4wF0MnWgeOXH-staz_9zpVV9dqerQkuY-RT9APO5nl2xLctN6Xh5bRNHsvxdyURrRdU3sdL00ZGZ4YjPWQOt2Qlfo6D5OcZIqw5tA0-AoKoLfiK4h7N-GaG_DgIaIxtZSpxjuW0KgEgHq--LApYQuEpwwmb4vDq4SM1pP0H87lWDDDB-6N6VgqUrMu_qfaSu9KoHsmeDJv63rRIVHdH5M9CswuW7vCe6KAjnNexsJnjwU6GRdSB9WDOBJjAPAdA4gumxdS49Gw89yYJD6JajDwJyRHcEmgfqZCijR9M5FgWOat6GXW9E-TvfVDk87rS5RdtRzwHbTU6o1vLi62_uZRC8RZyhP_pQBB7V84-gEVVEKwb6xXpNnTS3Ocby0okz-8WVqPYS5v13H74J2m3QnXouOcILxgNvi17cozsa2JAeWXsd9ywi3KD1nbHuMrIydRcAsPCEU3V_C1V3zKZiyXd3YJl0_a5bhfCKNh9NFVTXnk4hPnf3yDw3abFprSeguNkU8qiMWCxMd17pfwjvkH8aOGbJNkG6zjceqTk2UpHMkDewtxwIDQ2LexNtMAL5IluqBWCy0c8HytgiiUds5ozEu2VMDcYo=w731-h975-no)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HDRuBQPgYLgtkHw1Bbz4uQZc9pNWw1aBj6VSCmNbFnOiENiL2eWthhrbCDi6uMs1wfP-NK_x6tHvRs7HvFXC-1MKzEWs3rDYHXc__7JBPiKfBxqpjxcZwMqiCOOi2fNs2jsD55EocHKP4NYW99ai2cc6ZhdkHty5xxto88aTpZlzaReAw9v_Au_XRuwGQmG8LUBwajvwPpl2R7r7Q_DlaG42Mpz3UA5HWBEEasgdNn2TXh3M7u93RnefOtRSbZpjBhqVJm9VJPdRR00JP8EAxbbSD-M5zr6pxc2R2yl0Uav5x5D60vuk6ntNLK7uCfN3m4HnwkludV9NpXqSDNlG1iPK32z-hvpBo7uHiAk9mxeVOoHSHplTmGZw2t7qYGEWuB2O60rPSg5s5cIB09YYsaS1UAqOcSpYC19BgJO81FpBNmrfybXypAq0DPiVlgJCveKKRn1dKDX3A3pF4bJbjX4xqWhh1VQcophGQv7FmgbJ7ickA-6bAY0OpFxbuEiwdyeqtKfE60FS6wmocAGmwc6nwEw0v5judRxC9Ob742gKGwIU1YQ40QEim8Cph9JRnvlPDvMEGBE9XOdnkLl-9_XQooqUbB8XKtnpxFc=w731-h975-no)

Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bigfoot on April 25, 2018, 02:34:03 PM
Service pod
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/171-250418143131.jpeg)
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bigfoot on April 25, 2018, 02:36:52 PM
Pod
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/171-250418143234.jpeg)
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Mallett 5S356 on April 25, 2018, 10:56:40 PM
Hey here is the original gauge pod from 5S356
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bigfoot on May 04, 2018, 12:27:55 PM
^^
Cool to see
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: Bossssssss on May 06, 2018, 10:25:25 AM
Thanks to all of you for helping. Much appreciated.

I will be selling my pod soon once I determine what to ask for it.

thanks again
Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: 69mach351w on April 24, 2021, 02:36:52 PM
I understand this is an older thread.

Question.  Is this RPM and oil pressure gauges original 65's?

And whether yes or no, are there any value in these?

Title: Re: Shelby Gauge Pod
Post by: chris NOS on April 24, 2021, 02:39:09 PM
no and no idea about value ....