SAAC Forum

My buddy Dave is the reporter on this.  He's a Ford/Shelby nut all the way.

What a great thing for he and Shelby Vegas to do for the boy. The gave him an incredible lifetime memory.

A fast ride in a new Shelby Cobra and being on TV.  Can you imagine the excitement if that'd happened to any of us at that age?  WOW!

https://abc7.com/carroll-shelby-race-car-castaic-sixth-grader/11753117/

I think it'd be cool to hear from you guys.   What were your street-race hangouts?

This just in...

https://youtu.be/4ZfRtaCERnU

https://www.dailybreeze.com/2021/03/29/south-bay-history-imperial-highway-once-figured-as-part-of-a-superhighway-plan/

Pix is from 1987.   Red arrow points to red mark approximately where Shelby American was located: 6501 W. Imperial.

WTF???!!!

https://www.shelby.com/eblasts/110221-SAI/110221-SAI.html

In the name of Shelby & Cobra enthusiasm, I can't recall seeing a thread about what Shelby product we first owned.

Would be cool to see original pix, info, and the date(s) that you owned it.  Even better if you still own it. 

And can we please have no critiques, flaming, trolling or other negative comments on this thread?  This is about Shelby fun & memories.

I'll go first.

1968 GT500KR fastback, white with black interior.  4-speed.

Bought in 1982, in SoCal.   Promptly blew-up the 427 side-oiler the PO had installed.

Stupidly let the car sit without an engine for 20 years before (even stupider) selling it to Ron Butler's son. 

After painfully serving the appropriate penance, I bought it back from Butler in 2013.  Butler had kept it stored away and completely untouched.   

I installed stroked aluminum 427 side-oiler (553 hp on dyno) from Shelby/Denbeste in 2014. 

Added a few Day Two parts. 

Listed in the 1968 Shelby Registry.   

I will never let go of the car again! 

Bottom photo is soon after car was  finished, with NHRA's Phil Burgess (left) at our old hangout in Culver City, CA.

A terrible tragedy for the deputy and his family.

But, I'd think the reporter is incorrect where he says the car is believed to be a "1965 Shelby Cobra."  The damage makes it look like fiberglass to me.

https://abc7.com/temple-city-crash-fatal-ejected/11024781/

I replaced both of my KR's headlights with halogens a long time ago, and put the originals away.   Who knows where the other one went, but I found this one.

I tested it, and it works as it should on both high & low beams. 

Prongs are straight.   Glass is clear.   Very minor chips.   

I have not cleaned or touched it up.       

See pictures for part numbers and details.


$150 OBO, plus the ride.     Now $95 plus the ride.   

PM me. 

If you get it and it doesn't work, I will refund the purchase price.

Thanks,
Van

This just came off my KR that I've owned since '82.   It was rebuilt (first time in the car's life) about 800 miles ago.  Car currently has 51,450 miles.

It is in overall very good condition, but has a bit of looseness on-center.

I'm not an expert on these, so please see photos for the details.


I removed it to install an electric power steering system and a Flaming River box.


$750 OBO,   Now $300, plus the ride on a supercharged UPS truck.

I'll toss-in the nearly new rag joint with the sale.  It is NOT ORIGINAL.  The steering box is. 

PM me.  Thanks, Van 

My Kirkham 427, with a fresh aluminum 482 engine, is getting a bit of blow-by on the passenger side during deceleration, from approx 3000 rpm and up.   The engine is great other than that.

I installed an M/E Wagner adjustable PCV, connected to passenger side valve cover, and to a vacuum port under the carb.  I tuned it for the optimum vacuum, etc.

The other valve cover has a period-style Ford breather.

I'm now thinking I need a catch can.   So, is it better to run a closed system that retains the PCV, or an open system with no PCV, and vent(s) on the catch can?

I've read that the vented can scenario is the race car type (not really necessary on my street driven Kirkham) and will emit a fuel or oil vapor when the car is idling, like at a traffic light.

I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts, opinions, best plumbing ideas, recommended hose sizes, and anything else. 

Wherever Ol' Shel is today, he's screaming WTF!

I can't recall ever seeing a magazine test of a 428 Cobra.  Does anyone have one they can post? 

What would be the guess as to the acceleration difference between the two (stock, back in the day)?  Given both cars having the same rear-end ratio.

One might argue that the 428 has more low-end torque, so it might be quicker 0-60 mph.   

By the end of the 1/4 mile, I'd guess that the 427 would be a couple of lengths ahead.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chuck-bail-famed-stuntman-and-gumball-rally-director-dies-at-85

Just received this press release.  I have no affiliation, just on the press list. 

YUKON, Okla. (May 20, 2020) – Classic Recreations, the Oklahoma-based builder of officially-licensed Ford and Shelby American continuation cars and restorations has enlisted SpeedKore Performance Group, the Wisconsin-based carbon fiber manufacturer, to produce carbon fiber bodies for its Shelby GT500CR models. The first of its kind, the program is part of an initiative by Classic Recreations to build the next generation of modern high-performance vehicles with iconic classic American styling, followed by a Shelby-licensed all-carbon-fiber-bodied Cobra in the future.

"When we decided to build the carbon-fiber-bodied GT500CR Mustangs, we wanted to work with someone who shared our vision for the future of custom car building," said Jason Engel, Founder and President of Classic Recreations. "Having a supplier that is equally committed to high-quality craftsmanship and producing innovative vehicles is incredibly important to us and we found that matched commitment in SpeedKore."

Classic Recreations' standard Shelby GT500CR starts with an original 1967 or 1968 Mustang body that is restored to like-new condition using hundreds of man-hours of labor. The carbon fiber GT500CR also begins with a restored donor steel tub that is then fitted with all-new carbon fiber body panels. Starting with a 3D digital model produced from SpeedKore's blue light scan of an entire GT500CR body, a five-axis CNC machine cuts the molds, and then plugs and panels are pulled using aerospace-grade prepreg carbon fiber. The molded carbon fiber body panels are cured using a massive in-house autoclave. The result is the world's first officially-licensed Shelby Mustang that is lighter and stronger than an all-steel body and has perfect carbon fiber weave alignment. The precisely manufactured, hypercar-quality carbon fiber bodies can be produced efficiently to exacting specifications.

"Since 1998, Mr. Shelby believed that carbon fiber would be the future of American sports car manufacturing. We believe the introduction of a carbon-fiber GT500 Mustang and Cobra is a natural next step in the evolution of these iconic vehicles and builds on the legacy of the same innovation that Carroll Shelby was known for," said Neil Cummings, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International.

"Classic Recreations has consistently been a loyal and innovative partner and licensee for Shelby and we're excited to see what the future holds for this program," Joe Conway, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International explained.

Under the carbon fiber body is a modern high-performance vehicle. GT500CR models are available with several engine options, ranging from a 490-horsepower Ford Performance Gen 3 5.0L Coyote crate engine up to a 900-horsepower, hand-built 427-cubic-inch engine with an intercooled ProCharger supercharger. All Shelby GT500CR models are equipped with a Tremec five-speed manual transmission and a stainless-steel MagnaFlow performance exhaust.

Standard features include a power rack-and-pinion conversion, coilover suspension, oversized sway bars, Wilwood brakes, American Racing forged wheels and Michelin high-performance Z-rated tires. The optional Pro Touring Track Package includes Detroit Speed Engineering suspension, wider rear wheels and tires, mini tubs and six-piston brake calipers with larger rotors. Other customization options are available, including six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, a wide range of interior upgrades and a full palette of paint colors.

Reading everyone's excellent sleuthing of the French film at S-A shot in March '66, it makes me wonder:

On an average day, with no major screw-ups or parts delays, how many cars rolled off the line per day in '66 and '67?

What years did Carroll live in Africa?   

Where exactly? 

Any photos of his property?  Stories of his exploits?  Gotta be some tall tales from that era.  (I never even thought to ask him about it.)

I just received the following press release from Ford:

Reservations for the First Edition of the Mustang Mach-E are officially full -- though other models like the Premium edition and the GT are still available for pre-order.
Here are some key facts from the reservations bank:

2021 Mustang Mach-E First Edition reservations are full
Carbonized Gray is the most popular choice with 38 percent choosing it, with Grabber Blue Metallic 35 percent and Rapid Red 27 percent
More than 80 percent of U.S. customers are reserving Mach-E with an Extended Range Battery
About 55 percent are opting for all-wheel drive
Almost 30 percent of U.S. customers are choosing the Mach-E GT
More than a quarter of all reservations are coming from California

Print has died and bitten the dust.  Only Motor Trend, Hot Rod and Four Wheeler will remain as print magazines, as a part of TEN Publishing's massive cutbacks announced today.  Very sad to see.


Posted online by David Freiburger: Today is a day we've all dreaded. With the exception of Motor Trend, Hot Rod, and Four Wheeler, TEN Publishing will cease the print products of its magazine brands. These titles will continue as web sites and social media accounts, and major investments are being made in digital, so the editors may keep their jobs to continue with that content. As a lifelong fan of print who made his career as a magazine editor, this is a devastating heartbreak of a day—but not a surprise. 19 magazines will stop being printed. This closure of print was not a decision made by the MotorTrend company. Also, this does not affect the MotorTrend app or online video.

As a side note to the "Why Car Museums are Closing" commentary, I thought it'd be interesting to hear what peoples' timelines are for keeping or selling their one most-beloved Shelby product.

Would you ever sell your favorite ride?

If so, when are you planning to sell it? 

What kind of life change would prompt/force you to part with it?


For me, that's my KR.  There is nothing (aside from the microscopically small chance of being offered crazy money for it) that would get me to sell it. If the economy completely tanks and I'm forced to sell my house and cars, I would literally go live in a one-bedroom apartment in order to keep the KR. We've been through a lot together, and I'm not letting it go without a fight.

Also, I believe that having a fast, fun, cool looking car not only helps keep me feeling young(ish), but also limber enough to crawl in and work the four-speed, manual steering and brakes, and sustain enough muscle mass to withstand the accelerative g-forces.  (A car guy's workout!)

But even if I get too old and senile to drive, I hopefully can still push my walker close enough to open the car door and look inside, smell the easily-identifiable aroma of a vintage muscle car, and remember when there was race gas, burnouts, power shifts and fast laps. 

    http://www.shelby.com/eblasts/110419-SAI/SEMA_Announcements.html

Two Concepts:
Dragon Snake Mustang (800+ hp)
Super Snake F150  (755 hp)