How can one determine if the fiberglass rear fender end caps on a 1967 Shelby are original or reproduction?
Quote from: nightmist67 on June 07, 2018, 02:27:04 PM
How can one determine if the fiberglass rear fender end caps on a 1967 Shelby are original or reproduction?
Typically the repros have mounting studs. Not all however which complicates things . There are other tells in how they are mounted.
Is/Are there any source(s) from whom a pair of original 1967 Shelby rear fender end caps could be obtained?
PM sent
Dominic -
Thank you. I sent you two PMs.
Aren't there different version of these?
I have a hybrid steel/fiberglass rear deck lid and the end caps melded into the decklid in one smooth concave curve. The Lime Gold car ad with the pretty lady admiring it at the rear appeared to have this version.
Some all-glass decklids appear to go from a smooth concave curve to almost straight up and down at the sides of the lid where they meet the cap. The caps appear to have this same feature.
I've also seen caps that match to the rear taillight panel on the inside curve. This appears to be mostly on the flat and early taillight panel.
Other caps are much squarer on this inside curve that may match other taillight panels.
Lastly I have a few caps with the molded in S7MS part numbers.
The caps on my car have the S7MS part number on them. I also have another pair with no number but I don't know if they are original ones or repro ones. Not sure how to identify originals without numbers.
You typically have identify original end caps by the back side mounting characteristics. Many times the engineering numbers get sanded off the first time the car is repainted or fixed after a accident let alone the second and maybe third time it is done after 50 years.
The "originals" were made by more than just one supplier, so variations exist. Attaching method is a big sign as to the likelihood of an original.
Also, early cars had one exterior screw at the very bottom of the "tail", later cars had three exterior screws, bottom, middle and top of the "tail".
The Shelby Assembly manual is vague on the type (pan, oval,?) and finish of those 3 screws.
Any help there?
I have noticed that some 67's including my car, #1317, have an uneven angle towards the middle of the car
on the passenger side end cap. The lower inner corner sits lower than the trunk lid and the driver side end cap.
Texas Swede
I recently had the opportunity to look at #1169, which reportedly is a one owner unrestored car. It has end caps with studs and washer and nut fasteners similar my car, #916. Neither car shows evidence of rear end damage that would have required replacing the end caps. Comments?
Quote from: nightmist67 on August 15, 2018, 02:54:40 PM
I recently had the opportunity to look at #1169, which reportedly is a one owner unrestored car. It has end caps with studs and washer and nut fasteners similar my car, #916. Neither car shows evidence of rear end damage that would have required replacing the end caps. Comments?
Not typical.
Quote from: Bossbill on July 06, 2018, 04:32:31 PM
The Shelby Assembly manual is vague on the type (pan, oval,?) and finish of those 3 screws.
Any help there?
Since I just saw it and it hasn't been answered the screws were pan head Philips P/O finish.
My Shelby has U nuts on flanges with 1/2 hex head 5/16 thread. It also has a tar sealer around the bolt heads.
Quote from: 1967 eight barrel on August 16, 2018, 01:02:43 PM
My Shelby has U nuts on flanges with 1/2 hex head 5/16 thread. It also has a tar sealer around the bolt heads.
Yes, more typical
I have seen fender end caps attached with U-nuts and hex head fasteners on a double digit serial number car. Based upon that attachment method, I looked on my car for any telltale signs that U-nuts had ever been used as part of the attachment system for the end caps, but could not identify any obvious evidence of there use.
The U nuts are actually attached to flanges that are part of the caps. The hex bolts with captured washers come through the inside of the quarter panel. The bolts used from the inside look similar to those found that retain the fenders. There are also pan heads that are on the outside which are almost hidden at the end of bumper. Most of the studded end caps I have seen are reproduction parts.
-Keith
So are you saying that there were some end caps with studs that were installed during assembly line production, and if so, when?
I know of no 67 caps with studs that came on the vehicle from SA. Bob Gains could give you absolutes.
-Keith