SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1969-1970 Shelby GT350/500 => Topic started by: J_Joseph on September 03, 2022, 03:23:08 PM

Title: Inherited a GT500
Post by: J_Joseph on September 03, 2022, 03:23:08 PM
Hi everyone - we inherited a 1969 Shelby GT500 with the 428.

The car has been partially restored and partially disassembled. The body is repainted, no rust, a few places that show raw metal and a few finished panels that have to be attached. The interior is disassembled, but we have all the parts (allegedly . . .)

Missing: radiator, exhaust from the manifold to the Shelby rear box/pipes, plus probably 1,001 little things that have been lost or didn’t make the transition.

We have an older auto-body specialist who has worked on the car and will help assemble those parts, but I’m looking for information on the mechanics and wiring. I might be a slightly average DIY mechanic with modern cars (mostly foreign) but my uncle schooled me when I was a kid hanging out in his garage with American cars in the 70’s, so I do have some faint memories of doing that.

I never thought I’d touch another distributor cap in my life!

I know where to go for VW/Audi information, and I’m looking for the same type of community and manuals for the Shelby.

Haynes? The reviews of recent copies of the books are pretty lukewarm. Car clubs? Online forums?

The car is garaged, safe, and I have plenty of time. I”m sure I could figure it out as I went along (as my uncle used to say, “nuts are nuts and bolts are bolts and they only screw together one way” - and then he’d laugh his ass off at me trying to put something back together.)

Thanks to anyone who weighs in!

EDIT: We are located in New England.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: Rickmustang on September 03, 2022, 03:56:16 PM
Congrats! Specify your location and hopefully someone can help with your assessment! And go to some Mustang and Shelby shows and meet and talk other owners.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: Coralsnake on September 03, 2022, 04:24:43 PM
And tell us the Shelby number
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: FL SAAC on September 03, 2022, 04:40:22 PM
Congratulations  and enjoy
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 03, 2022, 05:03:18 PM
Congrats - true bolts is bolts and nuts is nuts - but now you need to decide if you want to use "the bolt" or just "a bolt". Do you want a 100 point trailer queen that just hit the dealer showroom - or a driver that you and the family can enjoy the memories of the loved one who entrusted their dream to you?
Start with a Mustang restoration guide. That will give you the details on how to assemble the car that was modified into the Shelby. For the Shelby mods and details you'll find the best source here. Don't forget to get a Marti report to see how you car left the factory. Mustang and Shelby club judging standards will show you the correct parts to use for the reassembly.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: greekz on September 03, 2022, 05:06:27 PM
Congratulations!  You will find many helpful folks here.  Best of luck with your project.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: kasearch@ix.netcom.com on September 04, 2022, 08:54:23 AM
That is incredibly fantastic for you.  Congrats.  I was in a similar situation when I got my car.  I cannot say enough good things about the SAAC members in their help and guidance.   I am now in the final stages of finishing my numbers matching 69 GT500, and I do have a large number of original and replacement parts, along with new AMK hardware, available, that I will be getting rid of. If you decide to restore your car, you are welcome to contact me for parts.  Maybe I can help you with your project in this respect, and save you some money. 
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: JD on September 04, 2022, 09:18:25 AM
Hi everyone - we inherited a 1969 Shelby GT500 with the 428.

The car has been partially restored and partially disassembled. The body is repainted, no rust, a few places that show raw metal and a few finished panels that have to be attached. The interior is disassembled, but we have all the parts (allegedly . . .)

Missing: radiator, exhaust from the manifold to the Shelby rear box/pipes, plus probably 1,001 little things that have been lost or didn’t make the transition.

We have an older auto-body specialist who has worked on the car and will help assemble those parts, but I’m looking for information on the mechanics and wiring. I might be a slightly average DIY mechanic with modern cars (mostly foreign) but my uncle schooled me when I was a kid hanging out in his garage with American cars in the 70’s, so I do have some faint memories of doing that.

I never thought I’d touch another distributor cap in my life!

I know where to go for VW/Audi information, and I’m looking for the same type of community and manuals for the Shelby.

Haynes? The reviews of recent copies of the books are pretty lukewarm. Car clubs? Online forums?

The car is garaged, safe, and I have plenty of time. I”m sure I could figure it out as I went along (as my uncle used to say, “nuts are nuts and bolts are bolts and they only screw together one way” - and then he’d laugh his ass off at me trying to put something back together.)

Thanks to anyone who weighs in!

Congratulations!

Here are some links to manuals that you could benefit from, the Jim Osborn book is a series GET ALL in the series and the Ford Service manual as well.

https://www.npdlink.com/product/chassis-assembly-manual-69-mustang/138101?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dservice%252Bmanual%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1969&year=1969

https://www.npdlink.com/product/electrical-assembly-manual-69-mustang/138090?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dservice%252Bmanual%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1969&year=1969

https://www.npdlink.com/product/engine-assembly-manual-1969/138134?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dservice%252Bmanual%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1969&year=1969

https://www.npdlink.com/product/body-assembly-manual-69-mustang/138070?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dservice%252Bmanual%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1969&year=1969

https://www.npdlink.com/product/shop-manual-printed-1969-ford-mercury-car/138042?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dservice%252Bmanual%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1969&year=1969
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: aj on September 04, 2022, 09:22:24 AM
If needed,  i have many dozens of photos i took during disassembly of my 69/70 GT500.   A lot of helpful folks and knowledge on this forum.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: J_Joseph on September 04, 2022, 05:19:00 PM
Congrats! Specify your location and hopefully someone can help with your assessment! And go to some Mustang and Shelby shows and meet and talk other owners.

Thank you, I edited the post.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: J_Joseph on September 04, 2022, 05:21:02 PM
Congrats - true bolts is bolts and nuts is nuts - but now you need to decide if you want to use "the bolt" or just "a bolt". Do you want a 100 point trailer queen that just hit the dealer showroom - or a driver that you and the family can enjoy the memories of the loved one who entrusted their dream to you?
Start with a Mustang restoration guide. That will give you the details on how to assemble the car that was modified into the Shelby. For the Shelby mods and details you'll find the best source here. Don't forget to get a Marti report to see how you car left the factory. Mustang and Shelby club judging standards will show you the correct parts to use for the reassembly.

Yes, fair points and I’ve never been a fan of trailer queens when it came to cars, although my uncle built some amazing hot rods for shows that went in trailers, and then some other hot rods (like a 50’s fire truck) that they drove like mad.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: J_Joseph on September 04, 2022, 05:25:19 PM
That is incredibly fantastic for you.  Congrats.  I was in a similar situation when I got my car.  I cannot say enough good things about the SAAC members in their help and guidance.   I am now in the final stages of finishing my numbers matching 69 GT500, and I do have a large number of original and replacement parts, along with new AMK hardware, available, that I will be getting rid of. If you decide to restore your car, you are welcome to contact me for parts.  Maybe I can help you with your project in this respect, and save you some money.

That’s massive, thank you.  I’m in the position now where I’m making an inventory of what I have and what I think I need, so I will definitely contact you with questions if you don’t mind.  I really appreciate the offer.

Case in point: we have a new gas tank (the old one is gone), but no sending unit, filler pipe/neck, or gas cap.  It’s possible the gas cap is in one of the many boxes, wrapped up in an old sheet or something.  From my research, it looks like Ford used a type of ribbon caulk to go between the tank and the body, plus some simple sheet metal screws.

It’s quite easier than modern cars, which I appreciate.  I can’t imagine how long it would take me to put together a new car that was delivered in parts. 
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: J_Joseph on September 04, 2022, 05:27:13 PM
If needed,  i have many dozens of photos i took during disassembly of my 69/70 GT500.   A lot of helpful folks and knowledge on this forum.

That is awesome.  I’ve been saving photos that I’ve found online because they indicate what the finished state is.  To be honest, some of the bits I have no idea what they should look like when I put them back together.  (Although I did get the steering box back in this weekend without any diagrams or photos - just made sense.)

Are your photos online here?
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: J_Joseph on September 04, 2022, 05:30:00 PM

[/quote]

Congratulations!

Here are some links to manuals that you could benefit from, the Jim Osborn book is a series GET ALL in the series and the Ford Service manual as well.

https://www.npdlink.com/product/chassis-assembly-manual-69-mustang/138101?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dservice%252Bmanual%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1969&year=1969

https://www.npdlink.com/product/electrical-assembly-manual-69-mustang/138090?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dservice%252Bmanual%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1969&year=1969

https://www.npdlink.com/product/engine-assembly-manual-1969/138134?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dservice%252Bmanual%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1969&year=1969

https://www.npdlink.com/product/body-assembly-manual-69-mustang/138070?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dservice%252Bmanual%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1969&year=1969

https://www.npdlink.com/product/shop-manual-printed-1969-ford-mercury-car/138042?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3Dservice%252Bmanual%26top_parent%3D200001%26year%3D1969&year=1969
[/quote]

Those manuals look like exactly what I need.  Thank you very much.

(Also, I’ve been a creative for a very long time and appreciate the old design and topography.)
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: aj on September 07, 2022, 08:09:41 AM
J-Joseph,   My photos from disassembly aren’t posted online.  Many of them are close ups that likely need an explanation to give context of what the photo is showing.  I’m happy to be the librarian and pick and sort through them to find which photo is/ are applicable to your task at hand.  Others here also have many.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: 427hunter on September 09, 2022, 11:46:29 AM
What number car is it?
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: J_Joseph on November 11, 2022, 03:50:39 PM
Congrats! Specify your location and hopefully someone can help with your assessment! And go to some Mustang and Shelby shows and meet and talk other owners.

Thank you - we are in Southern MA.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: Bill on November 11, 2022, 04:01:30 PM
Congrats! Specify your location and hopefully someone can help with your assessment! And go to some Mustang and Shelby shows and meet and talk other owners.

Thank you - we are in Southern MA.

What are the last four digits of your Vehicle Identification Number as found on the dash, or the tops of the inner fender panels.


Bill
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: J_Joseph on November 11, 2022, 04:05:00 PM


What are the last four digits of your Vehicle Identification Number as found on the dash, or the tops of the inner fender panels.

Bill
[/quote]

The last four of the VIN is 0954.  There is no Shelby badge on the fender apron but the vin on the apron matches the dash.

I'm going to put a few pictures in a new thread.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: J_Joseph on November 11, 2022, 04:16:03 PM
And tell us the Shelby number

It doesn't have the Shelby badge on the fender apron.  Do I have an option of replacing it?  The last four of the VIN is 0954.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: J_Joseph on November 11, 2022, 04:19:06 PM

Start with a Mustang restoration guide. That will give you the details on how to assemble the car that was modified into the Shelby. For the Shelby mods and details you'll find the best source here.

Thank you - is there a Mustang restoration guide that you've used or would recommend?
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: Coralsnake on November 11, 2022, 05:00:23 PM
A 1969 should not have a Shelby tag on the apron.

 8)
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: J_Joseph on November 11, 2022, 05:03:01 PM
A 1969 should not have a Shelby tag on the apron.

 8)

I have so much to learn here.
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: Coralsnake on November 11, 2022, 05:08:36 PM
A red and black, auto trans GT500 in Massachusetts?

I can help with your questions

Coralsnake68@hotmail.com
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: capecodmustang.com on November 12, 2022, 09:29:13 AM
I know this car...!

It was about 20 minutes from my house...
Long time owner ..
I looked at it a couple times...

Pretty sure it's a 3.91 car too

Bret
Title: Re: Inherited a GT500
Post by: shelbymann1970 on November 12, 2022, 01:14:37 PM
A 1969 should not have a Shelby tag on the apron.

 8)

I have so much to learn here.
Well you came to the right place. I have restored a drag pack 70 GT500 and a 70 Gt350 vert. Also the concoursmustang.com has a lot of invaluable info and original pics to look at and the site guys also post here. Gary