SAAC Forum

From a x-country ride years ago.

It was over when Shelby got a good look at the '71 prototype and said "You can't pay me enough to put my name on that!"

Quote from: rkm on December 15, 2020, 03:12:27 PM
Ozark looks great but too far for everybody I think.

Not for those of us who live between the Appalachians and the Rockies!

Interesting article about the problems with new replacement parts for classic cars.
https://classicmotorsports.com/articles/column-who-making-replacement-parts-we-rely/

Quote from: Coralsnake on August 24, 2020, 09:38:36 AMMost likely it was several events and not a single one that ended the peogram

Exactly. I have no reason to doubt Shelby's claim, the reasons he cites make perfect sense in the context of the times. None of it is incompatible with AO Smith's desire to withdraw for valid reasons of their own. In any event, if actual '71 Shelbys would have resembled this prototype, we're fortunate the plug was pulled when it was.

Perhaps people get the idea that Shelby asked Ford to discontinue the program after '69 because that's what he himself said at the time.  (Sports Car Graphic, Feb. '70 issue.)

So did you ever get the calipers flipped around right?

FWIW, these are the shifter bushings I used: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/huu-3327302
(They're also good for tightening up Ford shift linkage.)
Another worthwhile upgrade, especially with a heavier than stock clutch, are roller pedal bearings. I've installed them on two cars, and they make a noticeable difference. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sdk-c5zz2478rbmk

Dan:

I ran into the same problem after installing a heavy duty clutch in my '69 Cougar Eliminator with a 351W, which used the same spindly Z-bar as the Mustangs and Shelbys. I welded a piece of flat strap to the back of the long upper arm to make it thicker and stronger, and also triangular gusset pieces from the pivot tube to both the upper and lower arms. Clearance is tight, but there's enough room to add significant reinforcement. I also drilled out the egg-shaped upper and lower linkage holes and installed Hurst shifter bushings, which eliminated a lot of slop.
If you'd rather not go the do-it-yourself route, Opentracker has a kit: https://opentrackerracing.com/product/roller-z-bar-clutch-rods-351w-1967-1970-mustang/
Good luck!

Jay

A couple of years ago I had the chance to spend a few minutes talking to retired Ford designer Gale Halderman. Among the things I asked him was whether the '69 Shelby design came primarily from Shelby or from Ford. He said 10% Shelby, 90% Ford. I asked if he could name anything specifically that came from Shelby, and he said "primarily logos and such." I mentioned that Larry Shinoda is generally credited with the design of the Boss Mustangs and Cougar Eliminator, and I asked if there was anyone that deserved similar credit for the '69 GT350 and GT500. He said no, it was very much a team effort with a lot of people contributing. "But I was responsible for the team!" I suspect he was being overly modest, based on some of his sketches.
Many of the signature design features, such as the extended front fenders and grill shape, front fender vents and central exhaust are present in his work.
I wish I'd had a way to record our chat, and of course I thought of many more questions later on, but I still found his responses most interesting.



Note: Sketches and captions (I have no idea why they're the same) from his book "Mustang by Design."

Good looking car!
Even though the purists will cringe, I recommend the Shelby/Arning control arm relocation while you're at it.

Quote from: nvr-enuf on July 27, 2020, 10:17:51 AM
Hello everyone - thanks for the reply. 
I can confirm the bleeders in the front calipers are pointed up and towards the rear of the car (correct for bleeding from my understanding)

As Royce noted, they should not be pointed up. Has this been addressed, and what was the result?

Congratulations on your purchase. Looks like it's going to fit right in.

Jay

Gary:

That would be a lucky break if the oil pressure gauge is original and still functional. 

Carb has an "N" suffix.

Jay

Overall, it appears to be a very nice car, based on the pictures. A few random things jumped out at me, in no particular order:

Its missing the steering wheel wrap. Not a huge deal, many owners actually prefer the look without.
More concerning is that the oil pressure gauge appears to be out of commission. There's no really correct reproduction available, and originals are unobtainium.
Fog light covers aren't factory, but are nice to have to protect the lenses if you actually plan to drive it much.
Should be flanged hex nuts, rather than wing nuts, on the battery hold down.
Carb is correct for a CJ, but an automatic transmission application. 4-speed carb would be a C9AF-9510-M.

Jay

'69 GT500 #2911