SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1967 Shelby GT350/500 => Topic started by: Don Johnston on May 01, 2018, 09:28:45 PM

Title: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Don Johnston on May 01, 2018, 09:28:45 PM
I have some telling me that it was at a convention hall in Long Beach and others saying that it was at a Sheraton Hotel in Chicago. I am not sure if either is correct. I am trying to find the location or locations and which cars.  I am sure a few of our special historians here know. 

Thanks in advance for your responses. 8)
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: roddster on May 02, 2018, 09:37:57 AM
  "First shown" is the question.  Those early cars listed in the registry with "public relations/show car" in the description where at the dealer on introduction day. November 7th (?) those cars were on display at the dealer.
  Now, the question is: when was the first ones shown.  Could have been at S/A in Los Angeles, and earlier than November of 1966
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Richstang on May 02, 2018, 11:06:06 AM
Great question Don!

The invitation brochure note the introduction on Nov 10.
That brochure (photo posted on the old forum) was printed with Hi-Performance Motors, 901 Sepulveda Blvd.
Like "roddster" said, I'm sure other dealers printed their names on the same invitation brochure.

If there was a big single event intro, like the '65's at Riverside, I've never heard about it.
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: BGlover67 on May 02, 2018, 11:21:00 AM
Here is a link to a couple of brochures I have, and a comparison I was doing between them.

https://imageshack.com/a/SdHM

Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: 68countrysedan on May 02, 2018, 12:33:45 PM
Remain curious as to who originated the ad tag line, The Road Cars. SA, ad agency, some magazine guy?  IMHO it's a memorable one.
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Alan on May 02, 2018, 01:00:20 PM
Quote from: 68countrysedan on May 02, 2018, 12:33:45 PM
Remain curious as to who originated the ad tag line, The Road Cars. SA, ad agency, some magazine guy?  IMHO it's a memorable one.

I don't know about that;  reminds me of Pookie boy.
Max
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: cbrown on May 02, 2018, 01:14:55 PM
I know   #18 was shown at the pan pacific in  I think was in Los Angles.    I have paper work put away  on this. but cant get to it right now.   The date on it was i  think was within a day or 2 of car completion and #18 has the earliest completion date. 


chris
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Don Johnston on May 02, 2018, 02:23:04 PM
I am asking as a friend of mine had an automotive radio and TV shows in the sixties and was invited to a press showing of the new 1967 Shelby cars in a Sheraton Hotel in Chicago.  It was in the thick of winter and he is unsure of the date in late 1966 or early 1967. After the unveiling, he walked with Shelby in some nasty snow a few blocks to his studio for a taping of his Motorsports International TV show. He says his unable to find any copies of the tapes of the show, unfortunately.  He does remember Carroll not adequately prepared for the freezing Chicago winter blast.

I suspect this press unveiling was done for the marketing region based in Chicago. 
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: JD on May 02, 2018, 03:09:31 PM
Quote from: cbrown on May 02, 2018, 01:14:55 PM
I know   #18 was shown at the pan pacific in  I think was in Los Angles.    I have paper work put away  on this. but cant get to it right now.   The date on it was i  think was within a day or 2 of car completion and #18 has the earliest completion date. 
chris

SAAC Registry shows #18 Completed 10/19/66...
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Shelby_r_b on May 02, 2018, 06:40:30 PM
Quote from: JD on May 02, 2018, 03:09:31 PM
Quote from: cbrown on May 02, 2018, 01:14:55 PM
I know   #18 was shown at the pan pacific in  I think was in Los Angles.    I have paper work put away  on this. but cant get to it right now.   The date on it was i  think was within a day or 2 of car completion and #18 has the earliest completion date. 
chris

SAAC Registry shows #18 Completed 10/19/66...

I believe the same day as 0003, if my memory serves me correct.
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: roddster on May 02, 2018, 07:35:52 PM
 January 20th, 1967:  The entire Chicago region was shut down by a 20 inch snowstorm.  That date still seems a little late for a car intro.
  More like, lets say, somebody called the magazines after the first car was complete.
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Richstang on May 04, 2018, 11:07:37 AM
Quote from: JD on May 02, 2018, 03:09:31 PM
Quote from: cbrown on May 02, 2018, 01:14:55 PM
I know   #18 was shown at the pan pacific in  I think was in Los Angles.    I have paper work put away  on this. but cant get to it right now.   The date on it was i  think was within a day or 2 of car completion and #18 has the earliest completion date. 
chris

SAAC Registry shows #18 Completed 10/19/66...

Here's two 1966 auto show dates for the '67 introductions. I have not confirmed the dates are 100% accurate, but they should be very close.

LA Auto Show (Pan Pacific)         Oct 27 – Nov 6   #0018 on display SA completion 10/19
Detroit Auto Show (Cobo Hall)    Nov 26 – Dec 3   #0003 on display SA completion 11/1




Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Henry G on May 04, 2018, 02:06:54 PM
I wish I could find one of those for Leviitown Motors in NY....0078 was a "Showing" car...

H//
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Richstang on May 04, 2018, 03:16:44 PM
Quote from: Richstang on May 04, 2018, 11:07:37 AM
Quote from: JD on May 02, 2018, 03:09:31 PM
Quote from: cbrown on May 02, 2018, 01:14:55 PM
I know   #18 was shown at the pan pacific in  I think was in Los Angles.    I have paper work put away  on this. but cant get to it right now.   The date on it was i  think was within a day or 2 of car completion and #18 has the earliest completion date. 
chris

SAAC Registry shows #18 Completed 10/19/66...

Here's two 1966 auto show dates for the '67 introductions. I have not confirmed the dates are 100% accurate, but they should be very close.

LA Auto Show (Pan Pacific)         Oct 27 – Nov 6   #0018 on display SA completion 10/19
Detroit Auto Show (Cobo Hall)    Nov 26 – Dec 3   #0003 on display SA completion 11/1



Well it looks like I had the Detroit show date wrong. Here's an updated list. The dates are still not 100% certain
Do we know which if any '67 Shelby were on display in Chicago or NY?

LA Auto Show (Pan Pacific)              Oct 27 – Nov 6     #0018 on display SA completion 10/19, #00024 on display SA completion date 10/26
Detroit Auto Show (Cobo Hall)         Nov 18 - Nov 26   #0003 or #0069 on display; #0003 SA completion 11/1 / #0069 SA completion 11/11
Chicago Auto Show                         Feb 25 - March 5
NY Auto Show (Nassua Colliseum?)  April 1 - April 9

Rich

Updates to LA Auto Show
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: BGlover67 on May 04, 2018, 03:54:24 PM
Rich, are you now thinking 003 was on display at the Detroit Autoshow?

For anyone who hasn't seen yet, I have pics of the 'Shelby' that was on display there.

https://imageshack.us/a/bAOl/1
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Richstang on May 04, 2018, 05:49:14 PM
Quote from: BGlover67 on May 04, 2018, 03:54:24 PM
Rich, are you now thinking 003 was on display at the Detroit Autoshow?

For anyone who hasn't seen yet, I have pics of the 'Shelby' that was on display there.

https://imageshack.us/a/bAOl/1

You're right Brian!
It was likely #0003 or #0069.

#0003 is noted as a show car in the LA area then assigned to Ray Geddes as a company car.
#0069 was shipped to Stark Hickey Ford in Royal Oak, MI 11/11/66. That is the closest dealer to Detroit and fits the time frame.
The only other two cars shipped to Michigan were both sold either prior to or the second day of the auto show. They are also dealer much farther away from Detroit. So there out of contention.
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: BGlover67 on May 04, 2018, 06:23:54 PM
Being that 003 and 018 were the first '67s completed, it just seems logical that they would be drafted into car show duties.
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Richstang on May 04, 2018, 11:41:45 PM
Quote from: BGlover67 on May 04, 2018, 06:23:54 PM
Being that 003 and 018 were the first '67s completed, it just seems logical that they would be drafted into car show duties.


There a good chance it is this same car from the commercial (believed to be #0003).
We can see both the paint color and the incorrect fender emblem position in this still image.


(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/204-040518233638.jpeg)
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Richstang on May 11, 2018, 11:44:31 AM
Quote from: cbrown on May 02, 2018, 01:14:55 PM
I know   #18 was shown at the pan pacific in  I think was in Los Angles.    I have paper work put away  on this. but cant get to it right now.   The date on it was i  think was within a day or 2 of car completion and #18 has the earliest completion date. 

chris

The registry mentions #0024 was on display at the fall '66 LA Auto Show, but nothing is stated about 0018 being there.
Perhaps they were both on display?
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: JD on May 11, 2018, 12:10:12 PM
Anthony has been on a search (for years) to find any images of #24 at the LA show.

Not sure that he has ever been able to find any, hopefully he'll chime in when he sees this again...
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Richstang on May 11, 2018, 02:26:01 PM
It would be nice to find photos from each of the autoshows of the '67s on display.

Here's one photo from Chicago in Feb '67 with the '67 Shelby to the far right. It appears to be either Lime Gold or Brittany Blue from the light shade of paint.
The registry only notes #0383, a GT500, as a PR car in one these colors. Although, the large letter Goodyear tires seem a bit late for this number.


(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/204-110518141855.jpeg)
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: BGlover67 on May 11, 2018, 02:50:24 PM
Wow, what an amazing show that must have been to attend.  If only we had a time machine.   ;D  Too bad I wasn't born yet...
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: tesgt350 on May 11, 2018, 04:26:34 PM
Quote from: Richstang on May 11, 2018, 02:26:01 PM
It would be nice to find photos from each of the autoshows of the '67s on display.

Here's one photo from Chicago in Feb '67 with the '67 Shelby to the far right. It appears to be either Lime Gold or Brittany Blue from the light shade of paint.
The registry only notes #0383, a GT500, as a PR car in one these colors. Although, the large letter Goodyear tires seem a bit late for this number.


(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/204-110518141855.jpeg)

The Green 67 Shelby just above your Post have the Large Letter Tires and they say it is #003.
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: JD on May 11, 2018, 04:41:59 PM
Quote from: tesgt350 on May 11, 2018, 04:26:34 PM
The Green 67 Shelby just above your Post have the Large Letter Tires and they say it is #003.

There is paper work stating that around car #260-280 (?) the tires changed to the small letters.
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: JD on May 11, 2018, 04:45:12 PM
Quote from: Richstang on May 11, 2018, 02:26:01 PM
It would be nice to find photos from each of the autoshows of the '67s on display.

Here's one photo from Chicago in Feb '67 with the '67 Shelby to the far right. It appears to be either Lime Gold or Brittany Blue from the light shade of paint.
The registry only notes #0383, a GT500, as a PR car in one these colors. Although, the large letter Goodyear tires seem a bit late for this number.


(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/204-110518141855.jpeg)

Rich, is that a second Shelby on the elevated platform, door open, above/behind the white Mustang near the center??
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Richstang on May 11, 2018, 05:32:58 PM
Brian,
I wasn't born yet either. Between the Mach I and Mach II concept, as well as the 67 Shelby this Chicago Show sure looks impressive.

tesgt350,
I don't mean to come across as a smart alec, but do you know who said the dark moss green GT350 in front of that building was #0003?

JD,
The Goodyear tire memo notes large letters would be used on approximately 230 vehicles, then the molds would be changed to smaller letters.
The car on the elevated platform behind the white Mustang GT fastback is the Mach I concept in the first configuration.

Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: roddster on May 11, 2018, 07:31:43 PM
  I agree that it is the "Mach I" show car which was a styling prototype.
      I have always loved that 2 seat prototype in the center of the picture just beyond the Fairlane.  I'm sure I went to this show. My dad took my brothers and myself every year in the 60's. 
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Richstang on May 12, 2018, 10:22:02 AM
I also should mention the Chicago, '67 Shelby does not appear to have an upper scoop light which supports a car built in the mid #0160's and later.
Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: BGlover67 on May 12, 2018, 11:53:54 AM
Quote from: Richstang on May 12, 2018, 10:22:02 AM
I also should mention the Chicago, '67 Shelby does not appear to have an upper scoop light which supports a car built in the mid #0160's and later.

It was a good idea to use a non red light car considering they seemed to have stolen the lenses off the one at the Detroit Auto Show.

Title: Re: Where Was The 1967 First Introduced to the Press
Post by: Richstang on July 20, 2018, 05:21:09 PM
Found this little tidbit about the NYC introduction of the GT500.

"The Shelby GT500 was introduced to the press at New York's Tavern-on-the-Green Restaurant in early 1967"
https://silodrome.com/1967-shelby-gt500-mustang/

I wonder if it could be #0383 a GT500 show car in Brittany Blue with a 4spd and Magstars.