SAAC Forum

https://www.ryanfh.com/obituaries/Jim-Cowles?obId=19573428&fbclid=IwAR0qSyJOzfc1o6fuD44B3OSuXpNuexpG5FlzSun90zYU16HBaQRdnbMbrBw#/obituaryInfo

I am very sad to hear of this.  I knew he had been sick for a little while, but I was always pulling for him and hoping it wouldn't come to this.  Condolences to his family and friends.

He was always great to talk to on the phone, emails or here on the forum.  A wealth of knowledge and very willing to help anyone.  A loss to all things considered automotive, but then again everything that he did gave the entire community so much more.  Providing parts, restoration and knowledge that we now have and would not have if he didn't do what he did.  Producing parts at high levels of quality that no one else was doing at the time.  His efforts really helped all of us to keep our cars that much more accurate.

After a conversation on the phone with Jim I always felt like I was on the right path with my project.  He didn't care that I didn't have a Shelby and was always willing to help.  A straight shooter.  The entire car community will miss Jim, but his passion and dedication for these cars will live on for many many more years.  I am very lucky to have been able to do business with him. 

Car is in this video. https://youtu.be/WEz0ikfPkVg

From the Shelby forum link in my previous post.  Who is Corvico? (see post below)

This is an older thread, but a discussion came up about this steering wheel hub and I figured I would attach this previous conversation from 2007 to help give more detail on the die-cast hub.   Better photos are in this link as well.

http://www.shelbyforums.com/threads/shelby-steering-wheel-give-me-your-opinions.6731/

Quote from: 6s1640 on December 16, 2020, 04:10:41 AM
Hi Brian,

Thanks for sharing.  I remember when this car was found back in 2004.  There is a magazine article on the car as well.  See MUSTANG & FORDS MAGAZINE AUG/2006.

Have you seen this car?  The video looks like it was shot in Portland, down by the Willamette River.   I can recognize the Steel Bridge, Hawthorne and the Fremont Bridge.  I like the dealer plate "The Dallas Schultens", from when the car was sold after Hertz.  I love the as found shots in the yard.  I remember wondering if anyone took pictures from when it was in the yard.

Cory

Cory,

No, I have not seen the car in person.   The seller on BAT is a dealer in Portland, that is probably why you see the Portland in the background.

Brian

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1966-shelby-mustang-hertz-gt350h-8/

This 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H is one of approximately 1,000 examples produced as part of a partnership between Ford and the Hertz rental-car company. According to the SAAC registry, the car was shipped in March 1966 to Metke Ford Motors of Bellevue, Washington, for dealer preparation prior to delivery to Hertz in Seattle. After use in the Hertz program it was sent in May of 1967 to Ray Schultens Ford in The Dalles, Oregon. The first private owner bought the car in 1967 and kept it for 37 years before selling it to the previous owner, who subsequently commissioned a multi-year restoration. The project included repainting the car in its original shade of Raven Black with gold stripes, as well as overhauling the numbers-matching 289ci HiPo V8, refreshing the black vinyl interior, rebuilding the suspension and brakes, and more as outlined in the listing below. Additional equipment includes a three-speed automatic transmission, 15" chrome Magnum 500-style wheels, a fold-down rear seat, and an AM radio. Acquired by the selling dealer six months ago, this GT350H is now offered with serial number verification from the SAAC, photos and invoices from the restoration, a photo book, and a clean Oregon title.

The body was refinished during the restoration in the original shade of Raven Black by William Estes Auto Body and Paint in Estacada, Oregon, using DuPont Centari paint. Gold Le Mans stripes and side stripes were standard on Hertz variants of the GT350. A new steel-framed fiberglass hood was installed during the project, as were new plexiglass rear quarter windows and a new windshield. Closeups of the finish, trim, and lenses are presented in the photo gallery below.

Chrome 15×7" Magnum 500-style wheels were fitted during the restoration and feature Hertz center caps. BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires measure 225/60 up front and 235/60 at rear. Kelsey-Hayes front disc brakes and enlarged rear drum brakes were standard on GT350s. The front calipers and rear wheel cylinders on this car were rebuilt during the restoration.

The interior was reupholstered by Premier Auto Upholstery in Gresham, Oregon, and features black knit vinyl over the front bucket seats and optional rear fold-down seat. A new color-keyed dash pad, headliner, and loop carpeting were also installed during the restoration, as were lap belts for all four occupants. The glovebox door has been signed by Carroll Shelby.

A wood-rimmed steering wheel frames a 140-mph speedometer flanked by gauges that monitor fuel level, oil pressure, amperage, and coolant temperature. A Shelby 7k-rpm tachometer sits atop the dash above an AM radio. The SAAC registry notes that a radio was installed prior to the car's delivery to Hertz. The five-digit odometer shows just under 70k miles, about 100 of which have been added by the selling dealer.

A rebuild of the 289ci HiPo V8 during the restoration included honing the block and grinding the crankshaft, as well as installing new piston rings, rod and main bearings, an oil pump, and a water pump. A new camshaft and camshaft bearings were also installed along with new lifters, rocker arms, valve seats, springs, and guides. Pertronix electronic ignition was added, and a rebuilt alternator was fitted. Power is sent to the rear wheels by a SelectShift three-speed automatic transmission.

The suspension was rebuilt during the restoration and features telescopic shock absorbers all around, as well as a 1" front sway bar and override rear traction bars. The steering linkage was also refreshed, and a new exhaust system was installed.

An album of photographs from the restoration is included in the sale and also features photos of the car at the time of the previous owner's acquisition. Invoices for work and parts during the restoration are viewable in the gallery below. An included 2005 Mustang & Fords magazine article recalls the previous owner's discovery of the car in a yard and his subsequent purchase from the first owner. Also included is a bound photo book featuring images of the car from about five years ago.

The car's entry in the SAAC registry is pictured above. A 2004 letter from the SAAC's Howard C. Pardee can be seen in the gallery and verifies the serial numbers. A composite image among the restoration photos includes a closeup of the block stamping, which matches the Ford VIN listed in Pardee's letter. A driving video is attached below.

Another rather easy change - it has a 1965 trunk lid on it.   Not the end of the world, but something for a buyer to think about changing if they want it more "correct".

....or just don't open the trunk around folks that know the difference..   

Thank you for the kind words!  I appreciate it.   

I try to drive the car every dry day that I can right now, when not working of course. 

We have plenty of farm roads around here with no traffic and it is a lot of fun.   

Bump... 

Price adjusted - $400.00 plus shipping

Bump

Bump 

Bump 

I went to a local Toy Drive today.  In previous years the event also has a pancake feed cooked by the local fire department and a car cruise-in.  Thanks to COVID this year it was only a drive-through toy drop, but it was still fun and great to support such a good cause.  The local fire department still received a great amount of toys (the 1938 Ford fire truck is barely visible in the photo below). 

After this I took the long way home by way of many local farm roads.  I stopped in a small town to take some photos in front of an old church that has now been restored and is used as a brew pup/eatery.   I hope you enjoy these photos.  It was cold today, but the sun was very refreshing and driving the car made for a perfect day.