SAAC Forum

The Cars => Vintage Shelby Related Literature and Collectibles => Topic started by: BGlover67 on October 22, 2019, 03:34:58 PM

Title: Shelby helmet
Post by: BGlover67 on October 22, 2019, 03:34:58 PM
Ok, I'm going to let out one of my hunting secrets here for you all.  I've been looking for another Shelby helmet for a while now, and I realized that they don't have any permanent markings on them telling everyone what they are.  When they were new, they only had a single Cobra sticker on the front, which was easily lost to time.  I figured that many of them might be sold off without the seller (or even the buyer) ever knowing it was an original Shelby helmet.  Inside they have a certification sticker saying it passed requirements set forth by Snell, and the large '1968' is obvious. 

The biggest give away are the vents on both side just below where your ears would be, and a stitched leather boarder all around.  I just picked this one up online.
At some point in history, it was repainted and goofy stickers were added.  But those ear vents just screamed 'Shelby', and when I compared the inside straps and number of snaps, it was apparent this was originally one of the Shelby helmets.   

Gotta love the "Ride beside me, be my friend" sticker.
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: Bob Gaines on October 22, 2019, 06:02:36 PM
Informative. Thank you for sharing .
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: Coralsnake on October 22, 2019, 06:53:23 PM
Ooooooooo, ooooo...

I have questions...

First great find. Is it possible to restore these? Can they be taken apart?

Is it possible some of these helmets were not “Shelby” helmets? Ie., did Snell the company,  make a helmet that was shared with Shelby?


Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: KR500 on October 22, 2019, 07:10:13 PM
Snell is not a manufacturer but a helmet standards/certification foundation. Snell is to helmets as UL is to appliances. Their are multiple Snell standards/certifications depending on the helmets intended use, motorcycle, automobile, bicycle ect.
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: Coralsnake on October 22, 2019, 07:17:56 PM
Oh, thanks, question revised above
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: BGlover67 on October 22, 2019, 08:27:25 PM
Ooooooooo, ooooo...

I have questions...

First great find. Is it possible to restore these? Can they be taken apart?

Is it possible some of these helmets were not “Shelby” helmets? Ie., did Snell the company,  make a helmet that was shared with Shelby?

Pete,

Although I've been told they were originally made by Buco for Shelby, I have never seen another helmet with the vents I pointed out.  I've looked at hundreds of helmets online, and this still seems to hold true.  I think it was specific to the model used for Shelby.  As for being restored, yes I believe the leather stitching can be removed.  The fiberglass certainly can be sanded and repainted.  Reproduction stickers are easily sourced. 
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: Shelby_r_b on October 22, 2019, 09:11:23 PM
Very cool!  Thanks Brian.  :D
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: csxsfm on October 22, 2019, 09:22:59 PM
The Snell Foundation issued their decals in registered sequential lots to qualifying helmet manufacturers.  Because of all the litigation around helmets, their record keeping was good.  They may still have in their archives the manufacturer ID based on the number on that Snell decal.  Or not.
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: BGlover67 on October 23, 2019, 07:24:01 AM
Here is an ad from back in the day.   It mentions the 'unique' ear vents found only on this helmet.

Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: Coralsnake on October 23, 2019, 07:56:16 AM
Awesome, now I want one
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: BGlover67 on October 24, 2019, 02:40:42 PM
Received the helmet today, ironic what name is stenciled on the back (wrong sp of course).
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: Bill on October 24, 2019, 02:51:18 PM
Somewhere I have a picture of a white helmet being modeled by a SC SAAC member. I’ll see if I can dig it up  ;)
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: Shelby_r_b on October 24, 2019, 04:20:06 PM
Received the helmet today, ironic what name is stenciled on the back (wrong sp of course).

That was the name of his sister.  ;D
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: Special Ed on October 24, 2019, 06:49:56 PM
I have an extra original silver helmet if someone wants it (don't really know what its worth). I bought them YEARS ago from a professional motorcycle racer who only bought it for the snell rating he had to have to race the class he was in and these were the only ones he could buy back in late 60s he told me. One he kept as a spare used very little and it was still in the Shelby box and had a Shelby plastic bag it was shipped in still laying in bottom of box. The other one steve j. got and it was used and worn but Shelby decal is still on it and I ended up buying it and $ 20.000 of other collectors items (including some of my stuff) back from the may mecum Steve j. estate auction.
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: Shelby_r_b on October 24, 2019, 06:58:37 PM
I have an extra original silver helmet if someone wants it (don't really know what its worth). I bought them YEARS ago from a professional motorcycle racer who only bought it for the snell rating he had to have to race the class he was in and these were the only ones he could buy back in late 60s he told me. One he kept as a spare used very little and it was still in the Shelby box and had a Shelby plastic bag it was shipped in still laying in bottom of box. The other one steve j. got and it was used and worn but Shelby decal is still on it and I ended up buying it and $ 20.000 of other collectors items (including some of my stuff) back from the may mecum Steve j. estate auction.

PM sent. Thanks Ed!
Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: BGlover67 on October 24, 2019, 07:08:08 PM
I just figured out that Buco was NOT the manufacturer of these helmets.  For one, they say (made in Japan) on the inside.  Second, I found an ad for Arai Hirotake of Japan.  They have been making helmets since 1926.  They used a stitched leather boarder and the straps are identical.  But they did not have the vents as mentioned, something I believe that they reserved for the Shelby helmets.  Interestingly, the ad says they cost $29.95, same as the Shelby helmet.  I will confirm, but I'll bet they were the original manufacturers of these helmets. 

Title: Re: Shelby helmet
Post by: terlingua11 on October 24, 2019, 07:26:00 PM
You can also search for McHal helmets as well. Sometimes they pop up in that search as the seller assumes that's what they are. With the Shelby sticker usually off they don't know what they have.