Every day, new people enter the hobby and many have not heard “the stories”.
The case of this 1968 Shelby should be a beacon for everyone.
A few years ago, a car dealer in North Carolina sold a red "GT350" convertible to an
unsuspecting chap from Europe.
There is little doubt anyone with basic decoding skills could have determined
the Vehicle Indentification Number was incorrect.
The following numbers appear on the original North Carolina title: "8R03C102857"
followed by "8T03J116014-00156". A Ford Mustang manufactured in 1968 only
has an 11 digit VIN. In fact, two apparent Mustang VINs appear on this single title.
The second VIN "8T03J116014-00156" has a Shelby suffix number. But, wait there is
more...There was never a Mustang built with the VIN "8T03J116014". So in other words,
this second VIN is a complete fabrication.
The car that actually became 1968 Shelby number "00156" is "8T02S116014".
It is a lime green fastback.
So let's review some basics, everyone should know.
Contact the Shelby Club before you by a car and have someone knowledgeable
help you buy a Shelby. In this case, the club had extensive records on the Mustang
convertible and the Shelby fastback.
Dont take a sellers word for anything.
The State of North Carolina DMV has had better days. Some very basic decoding skills
would prove invaluable.
Unfortunately, the buyer in this case has now woven a story that his car may be a "lost" prototype or engineering car for Ford. It was hidden away by a obscure race team so others would not find it.
I find it very hard to believe the seller did not know what he was doing....
I understand every car is not perfect, but please do some basic decoding