SAAC Forum

This is an alert regarding an elaborate Shelby scam posted online.

A '68 GT500KR and a '69 GT500 hardtop are currently shown on a web site for Heinrich's Vintage Car Shop in Columbia Station, Ohio. Both cars are priced well below market.

Heinrich's is a legitimate restoration business but does not sell cars. Reportedly, they allowed their internet domain name to expire through an oversight and before they could act to renew it, a scammer hijacked the site and is using it to bogusly offer cars previously sold elsewhere.

Here are the links to the Shelbys:
https://heinrichsvintage.com/listing/1968-shelby-gt500-kr/

https://heinrichsvintage.com/listing/1969-ford-mustang-shelby-gt500/

One of my customers was interested in the KR and contacted me for advice. I was immediately skeptical due to the pricing, the fact that the posted VIN on each car did not match the configuration of the one pictured, and no photos of VINs or other identifiers were shown.

In the meantime, my customer inquired to the number in the ad and was contacted by an individual who identified himself as Edward Walker, sales manager. My friend next wisely engaged the services of a reputable inspection company for an in person evaluation. The scam was uncovered when the inspector, who is local to and familiar with the actual Heinrich's, contacted them about the car.

Subsequent investigation discloses that "Edward Walker" is a serial scammer, who for some reason operates continuously under this name. Several individuals have lost tens of thousands of dollars to him. Various brands and types of collector cars have been involved.

He is known to Homeland Security, which is investigating and pursuing him on fraud charges. If you have any information regarding this individual, you are asked to contact:

Scott Mollner
Special Agent
Homeland Security Investigations

Omaha, NE
402-403-2705

With the recent interest in Maroon '68 Shelbys, I thought I would post this KR that I have for sale. See the discussion of Maroon cars here:
SAAC Forum »The Cars »Vintage Shelby Related Literature and Collectibles »Maroon 68 KR Model

Also, Revology recently delivered its first KR and the color chosen by their customer was Royal Maroon - see it at this link:
https://revologycars.com/car/1968-shelby-gt500-kr/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=**LP%20Branded&utm_term=Revology&utm_content=Revology

KR #3588 was purchased in 1979 by a long time friend and customer. Those of you who have been around for a while may recall that at that time, we did not worship at the altar of originality as we do today. SAAC had not yet instituted a judged concours and convention shows were popular vote affairs. So, owners often modified their cars to suit their particular taste.

So it is with #3588. Originally Lime Gold, the owner changed it to Royal Maroon when he redid it in 1986. He also liked the look of the stencil callout on the Boss 429, so he eliminated the rocker stripes and had the GT500KR text done as a standalone in that style. Underhood, it is minimally detailed and underneath not at all. Other changes included a custom fabricated muffler bypass system and the addition of ten spoke wheels.

Other than these changes, 3588 is a very intact, high integrity example. Actual mileage is about 59,500. The paint remains in very good condition with only a few minor flaws. The body metal and fiberglass are all factory original with no accident or rust repair. The interior is original with exception of a period Ford AM/FM radio. All Shelby unique interior equipment is intact. The spare tire has been replaced with a space saver style.

The engine is the original matching number, the C6 transmission is the factory iron tail, and the differential is 3:50 locking with nodular case and 31 spline axles. The original C8OF-AB carb and cast iron exhaust manifolds are intact on the engine. Some of the other unique KR equipment was removed in 1986 but retained by the owner and will accompany the car. These include the air cleaner/snorkel assembly.  I am preparing a list of the takeoff items that will be included.

The overall character of this car is that of a 1980's street driver. Built to run hard and long, #3588 has done SAAC convention track time at Charlotte, Pocono, Mid-Ohio and Watkins Glen. While a hand full on the road courses, it really showed its stuff on the high bank tracks, hitting a greater than expected 150+MPH. The owner has an independent auto repair shop and has maintained it in fully operational condition.

#3588 is listed in the 2020 SAAC registry of 1968 Shelbys on page 879. There is a photo of a yellow KR in the listing; it is not this car. 3588 was its original lime gold until the 1986 maroon respray, and photos of it when Lime are available. It was not, as inferred in the Registry text, a special order maroon car.

I am offering this KR at $165,000. I have ordered the Marti Report and Shelby factory paperwork; they will be available upon arrival. The car is at my facility and available for inspection by appointment.

Bill Collins
Bill Collins Collector Fords
Harrisburg, PA 17111

717-648-6600
bill@bcfords.com

I recently discovered a remarkable ad that appeared in the Baltimore Sun newspaper on Sunday, February 25, 1965. It is a display ad announcing the arrival and display of the Mustang GT350.

A scan of the ad is attached. What is even more remarkable (to me) is that the car described in the ad is most certainly 006. Although the photo is from the 1965 Shelby press kit and possibly not of my car, the timing of the ad relative to when 006 arrived at the dealership and some key phrases in the ad are rather compelling evidence.

006 was reportedly air freighted to Pennsylvania to appear at the Philadelphia Auto show, which ran January 9-15. It was purchased there by Les Lepedus (sp?) who owned Archway. The MSO from Shelby to Archway is dated February 12th, about two weeks prior to the announcement ad.

The ad title reads "Mustang GT350", which was the official name of the car at the time and listed as its trade name on the MSO, which also recites "285 HP", a rating duplicated in the ad. As we know, the GT350's rating was subsequently increased to 306. The ad text begins by referring to it as the "Meanest Mustang" - a phrase that also appears on a sign placed on the roof of 006 when Archway displayed it at the Baltimore World Of Wheels show, where the first retail owner purchased it on March 5, 1965.

I am fortunate to have a copy of the MSO and some photos, which are attached. I am still looking for photos from the Philly Auto Show. The Philadelphia Inquirer had several days of show coverage, but the GT350 is mentioned in only one small photo article, obviously written from a press release, that does not mention its presence at the show. But maybe someone has a snapshot taken there. If you do, I would like to hear from you!

So maybe you have a Hertz car that was changed over to a 4 speed sometime in the 1970's / 80's and now you want to return it to its correct assembly line automatic configuration? Or are redoing a project that is missing its drivetrain? I have just what you need.

I recently sold 6S409, a factory automatic car. The new owner has opted to convert it to a 4 speed and I received the entire original automatic assembly back in a trade. It was removed just a few months ago and was running / driving in the car at that time. Mileage was around 80,000 but trans may have been rebuilt along the way as the torque converter is painted grey.

Here is what I have:
Factory assembly line C4 "Hipo" transmission with "C" servo
Torque converter and flex plate
Block and inspection plates
Trans to radiator cooling lines
Original blue stripe drive shaft with yellow engineering number stencil still intact

Original automatic shifter assembly and linkage
Kickdown lever assembly
Original "disc brake" pedal
Backup light switch

Possibly a few other minor parts that I don't recall right now

Package price is SOLD Photos available.
Will deliver to SAAC 48 at no charge

Bill Collins
Harrisburg, PA
717-648-6600
bill@bcfords.com

https://ontime.mecum.com/auction/shelby-american-le-mans-sports-car-racing-collection-220/bidgallery/?utm_campaign=Mecum%20On%20Time&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=243358474&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--U1eFyjDl_ip0qOzCqc0O7oc1QGrtAeMmZImMQJJI_zpR_08U5_-z8FLfsaYaGE3rDup08eHCZGU49RdfaNXWD6gPrxA&utm_content=243358474&utm_source=hs_email

Lot #7 in this auction, the Georger Bartell GT350 poster, is presently bid to $2611. with one day remaining. Adding the 25% buyer's premium and packing / shipping brings the total cost to around $3300.

There are 57 bids so there is obviously a lot of interest in this item. If anyone on here happens to be chasing this, I can save you a lot of money. I have in my collection several of these posters. They are authentic and in excellent as new rolled condition with vibrant color.

I acquired these at SAAC 13 in Santa Rosa, CA in 1988. An early well known California Shelby parts vendor was in the flea market selling select original posters that were part of the set originally marketed by Shelby American.

I was heavily into literature at that time and a conversation disclosed that he had a stash of brand new ones at his shop. He had acquired them when SA liquidated their inventory. He agreed to sell me some, and I visited his place after the convention. They have been rolled up in a box in dry dark storage ever since. These are the real deal, not the later reprint that was smaller in size and had washed out looking color.

I will sell these at $1500 each, shipping included. This is less than half of the current bid price + costs. The photo attached is for representative purposes only and is not one of the actual posters I have for sale. I will be happy to provide a photograph of what you are actually buying before any transaction takes place.

Bill Collins
Bill Collins Collector Fords
Harrisburg, PA

bill@bcfords.com
717-648-6600

I am consolidating my parts inventory and want to sell off some bulky items rather than move them. Original '67 louvred hood, has steel insert with latch intact. SOLD. I will be bringing it along with other Shelby fiberglass to the Columbus Spring Swap in Ohio next weekend April 2-3.

Watch this space for more offerings!

On March 31, 1971, 50 years ago today, I purchased my 65 GT350 serial 006. I had wanted one of these cars ever since seeing one in the film Red Line 7000 in 1965, but being in my mid teens at the time, an actual purchase had to wait.

I bought 006 from Ned Beshore. Ned, along with his brother Scott, each owned a '65 350 (Scott had 5S200) plus they had '66 GT350H, 6S819, which they were running as an SCCA hill climb car. They wanted to buy a Cobra to race, which required that the Hertz plus one of the '65's be sold to fund the acquisition. They arbitrarily picked 006 to sell, and put it out on their father and uncle's used car lot, where I spotted it during one of my frequent visits, as they were good friends of mine. I asked them what serial number it was, to which they replied "Oh, it's number 500- something". So I cannot lay claim to be being savvy in that regard, it was just dumb luck that it was 006.

They were asking $2300 and I managed to negotiate that down to $1900. I only had about $1000 in cash, so I went to two finance companies on the same day, borrowed $500 from each of them and got the car. They later sold the Hertz and purchased CSX2566, which raced under the name "Snake Express".

I thrashed 006 for the first ten years I owned it - street raced it, outran the cops in it, had romantic encounters in it, all the things 20-somethings do to their cars. I later installed a Boss 302 engine and drag raced it for a while. In 1980, I decided to return it to street trim and take it to SAAC 5 (the original engine and driveline had been pulled and saved). Unfortunately, I didn't complete it in time, so I shoved it into the garage with the thought "I'll get back to this later" and rode off to the Dearborn convention with some friends.

"Later" turned out to be 30 years. The family homestead was put up for sale in 2010, so 006 was losing its storage. I decided it was time to get it back on the road. Off it went to a trusted mechanic friend. and not long after I was driving it again.

So to celebrate the day, I thought a little photographic history would be appropriate:
The first photo is the January '65 press preview at Riverside Raceway - 006 is one of the cars in that lineup - but I don't know which one!

The second photo is the first owner with 006 on the day he bought it, March 5, 1965 at the Baltimore Auto Show. The sign on the roof reads "The meanest of Mustangs  - Cobra GT350"

The third photo is yours truly with 006 about eight months after I bought it. A plan to restage this photo today at the same location was thwarted by heavy rain.

But it doesn't melt when it gets wet - The last photo is in the rain at the 2014 50th Anniversary of the Mustang show at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

006 retains a rough and ready look - some would say "patina" - I call it "experience". I  have been asked if I intend to restore it, to which I reply "H--l no, it took me 50 years to get it looking like this!" Besides, it's more fun to drive it as it is.

So Happy Anniversary, 006 ! I hope to keep enjoying you for years to come.

I am in need of one '67 original shoulder harness and retractor assembly for a GT350.

Bill Collins
bill@bcfords.com
717- 648-6600

Need 5 but will consider any quantity. Any condition also considered so long as they are restorable. Must be original 14 x 6 PAINTED with 3.375 to 3.50 backspacing - I already have chrome ones. No Granada/Monarch wheels, please!
Bill Collins
bill@bcfords.com
717-648-6600

I am in need of a 289 Hipo crankshaft damper and 4v cast iron intake - must be dated 4L (Nov 1964)
Bill Collins
bill@bcfords.com
717-648-6600

I am enjoying the Carter Avenue photo and info thread, as my GT350 5006 was built there. It is likely one of the cars in photos of the early production, although impossible to know which one.

I found a coupe of sketches in my file of the interior layout of 1042 Princeton. They were made by Shelby team driver Allen Grant in 1963. I thought they may be of interest.

Need a 2-66 dated W-MO radiator for a GT350. It is a 4 speed car but one from an automatic may be OK.  Any condition considered so long as the top tank is in good shape.
Bill Collins
717-558-9000
bill@bcfords.com