SAAC Forum

Ok, the back seat is out.  All the screws are removed from the side panel but the only thing holding it in place is the roll bar.  It is loose so I can see that is the only thing holding it.   The panel does have a slot in it to go around the roll bar but it would take a lot of bending to get it out around the roll bar.  Any of you guys know how this comes out -- is there a trick?  I don't want to damage the panel because I bet the side panels are fragile.

All:

I have a hydraulic cylinder on my 69 that is leaking.  I am getting ready to change it and the clevis pin that is in place is held on with a friction clip instead of a pin through the clevis.   Does anyone know if the clevis for a 69 is different than one for a 65-68.  I seem to recall that they were and before I buy one I want to know I am getting the right part.

My convertible top works normally but when it is folded the first fold remains forward of the top of the back seat by about 1.5 inches.  I have been searching the internet for pictures of 69/70 Mustangs or Shelbys to compare to mine.  It is possible that the top canvas was made funny or it is equally possible that there is nothing wrong at all.  A pic of what your top looks like folded would be appreciated.

I have four very nicely restored 1969 Shelby Wheels but one of them has a crack next to one, and maybe two, of the rivets that you can only see when I wear my glasses.  The wheel still looks great for a show but as I drive the car very slowly down my driveway every time it rotates I hear a click that sounds like a rock in the tread which is that I thought it was at first. 

By replacing the wheel with one from my 1967 Shelby I have determined that the problem is with that particular wheel.  The car now operates normally but is too nice of a car to not have the right wheels on it.

So, long story short, I really want one restored wheel so if any of you know of one restored OEM wheel let me know; otherwise, I guess it is the best plan will probably be to head off to Paradise Wheel for a reproduction set and put my originals away in the parts room.  If your wheel needs restoration that would be alright but my preference would be for one that I could just install right away. 

There are a few options out there on ebay but they are sets of four.

Let me know if any of you have one wheel that you want to part with. 

The door handle push button is a little stiff and it does not feel like a lubrication issue because it operates normally.  In looking at the door latch from the outside I am not intelligent enough to know if the latch is reproduction or OEM.  I assume that the spring in the latch is too stiff on the latch but anyone seen this condition and what is the best solution.

This is a well-debated topic but I really could not find any discussion about it.  The 69 Convertible has the glass backlight.  Some people say unzip when you put the top down but others say don't worry about it.  What say the experts?

I am looking for a 69 AM/FM radio in very clean condition for a 69 GT500.  If the radio does not work that is ok provided that the cosmetics are good.  If the radio is already restored that is fine as well but my preference would be for one that I can send in and get modified with a bluetooth adapter.  Not looking for cheap and I understand that these don't grow on trees. 

I am discussing buying a 1969 GT500 Convertible.  The vin is 9F03R481016.  It appears to be restored in correct colors and equipment down to the AM/8 track radio.  It has the original order from Northwestern Ford and a Marti Report and the equipment/options list.  I have a 66 and a 67 and know those pretty well but know very little about the 69's.  If I go look at it is there a cheat sheet on where the numbers are and the code breakdowns just so I can double check its legitimacy.  The dealer selling it claims that it was restored by Shelby Parts & Restoration in WI who I know to be a reputable shop so that gives me more confidence in the car.  With that said, I am not entirely sure that I want to rely upon the dealer yet -- the salesman is a nice guy but he is trying to do his job and sell me the car.  If you know anything about the car please let me know.

I am looking at the car above (but only on the internet at the moment).  I has a very high price but I believe it was restored by Shelby Parts & Restoration in WI and, at least in the pictures, looks to be done well.  I know a fair amount about 66's and 67's but very little about 69's. The advertised claim is that it only has ten test miles but the odometer shows 4000 or so.  It is at a car dealer called Marshall Goldman in Cleveland and it looks like they have a somewhat spotty reputation so I am taking everything I am hearing with a grain of salt.  I think it would be fun to have one car of each "generation".  Anyone know this car?  I do like that it was sold new at Northwestern Ford because my 66 GT350 came from there so it makes it a little more interesting to me. 

Last week I had a corner office with a view of my aircraft charter business.  Today I am back to practicing law again out of my garage because the Coronavirus has stopped aviation.  With this as my office the news is not all bad.

The best I can figure is that my GT500 was converted from an automatic to a 4-speed at the Ford dealer about a year after the original sale.  I don't have any paperwork for the conversion but I have a nasty letter from the original owner to the Ford dealer, written in December of 1968, complaining that the clutch failed and how disappointed he was with the "transmission job" and the response from the service manager stating that they will pay for the tow and put in a new clutch.  I think that at least gives me pretty good evidence that the dealer converted it because why else would they do a clutch for free especially in a car that originally had an automatic.  I don't know if it was done with 67 parts or 68 parts but crawling around under the car it looks "correct".  It is a very good car otherwise, was red, was restored with almost all original parts, and had factory AC that actually works.  Bob Gaines is presently restoring my air cleaner top which is why I have a reproduction top in the photo.  I like the car as a 4-speed but if I wanted to put it back to OEM anyone know where I could get the parts?  I would only do it if the parts were all correct but it might be a fun project to do.

There may be 35 or so of these still flying in the world but they were the highest performance planes of their day.  If any of you are ever in Houston come take a ride.

I have owned 1967 GT500 car 2714 for a while and I am now looking to add another Shelby to my stable.  I am going to see car 889 in a week and curious if any of you have seen it before.  I have no idea whether I am paying the right price but I will keep that confidential and if I am paying too much that really is not my concern.  This car is owned by Tony Conover and has been in a couple of SAAC events and it was judged at SAAC 37 and did well.  The car has pretty solid history and is in the registry.  If any of you have any info on the car before I head out there i would appreciate it.  The car is red with white stripes and had Shelby optional wheels on it.

The movie is doing all kinds of interesting promotions and they coordinated a display of a few Shelby's and Ford GT's on the mall at UT.  Jimmy Fallon was there filming for the tonight show and drove one of the cars.  Here are a few pics

Guys, I have a late 1967 GT500 with AC, Power Steering and a one pulley alternator.  It has the correct 7AC pulley on the power steering pump.  I am trying to locate the correct (reproduction) belt for the power steering pump.  I have a Gates belt on it right now but the belt that Branda shows is too short.  I have tried several other Branda belts with no success.  Anyone know what the part number is for the right belt?

I know that my car is certainly not MCA perfect but last weekend at Lakewood Yacht Club's Keels & Wheels Shelby was the honored marque again.  There were four 67's, two 68's and one 65.  There were no pigs there and all of the cars were nicely presented.  Here are a few pics:

My two carbs on my GT500 appear to be original and unrestored but I have noticed that some seepage of fuel is starting to appear around the shafts.  The seepage is enough that it is leaving some fuel staining on the intake manifold underneath each carb shaft.  Surprisingly the car runs very well but I am probably living on the edge driving it with this situation.  I need to pull the carbs and send them somewhere to be restored.  Who would you recommend?