Designers of the fiberglass

[Coralsnake]

What if there was a 1969 KR ?

[Corey Bowcutt]

I often wonder why they did drop the KR moniker in 69?  Doesn't the 69 GT500 use the 428CJ?

[prototypefan]

In the history of the muscle car I believe one of, if not the most underrated options was the drag pack option in 1969 and 1970

For 1968 the changes from a GT500 to a GT500KR were also very significant. However.....everyone knew as it was prominently displayed in the stripes on the side of the car. Visual impact is something that let others know what you had. Mopars had options like a shaker hood on a Challenger (on the Hemi Cuda it was standard), billboards, wings and louvers. On a Chevy, cowl induction hoods, racing stripes, front and rear Camaro spoilers.

On 428 ci 69-70 Mustangs and Shelbys there was nothing externally to let you know if it was a CJ or SCJ unless you count the oil cooler behind the grille, but that's a stretch.
The differences of these engines and supporting bits and pieces are getting very difficult to find....
deeper groove pulleys
gear reducers on speedo
oil cooler and related hardware
lemans rods
external dampening
etc

They are complete sleepers and especially considering the price in period.....it was practically free.

Great option and now I know why guys like Ed gravitate towards it.

[Coralsnake]

I often wonder why they did drop the KR moniker in 69?  Doesn't the 69 GT500 use the 428CJ?

There are drawings for 69 KR emblems

[prototypefan]

I often wonder why they did drop the KR moniker in 69?  Doesn't the 69 GT500 use the 428CJ?

There are drawings for 69 KR emblems

You learn something everyday....

[2112]

Fiberglas model January 1968, so you know there were drawings prior.

There was also a fiberglas convertible, but no photos have turned up yet.

Was any particular individual or team credited for the design?

[shelby]

Pretty cool! Some great history there!

[Special Ed]

AOSmith won the design of the year award with the 69 Shelby design and the award was at the unveiling of the 69 black vert gt500 at mcacn show and the trophy ended up staying with the black gt500 vert after some $ was exchanged!!

[propayne]

Well, somebody did it.

Hopefully, whoever he/she/they are will not be lost to history.

- Phillip

[2112]

^^^ are these posts implying A.O. Smith were the designers?

I thought they were just the contract builders.

[427hunter]

^^^ are these posts implying A.O. Smith were the designers?

I thought they were just the contract builders.

It was not an A.O. smith design, they did the glass and assembly. The money was paid to A.O. Smith through Shelby not Ford, apparently Shelby was not paying so A.O. Smith severed ties.

[Coralsnake]

Actually, the exterior surfaces were designed by Shelby/Ford and the support and interior surfaces were designed by Smith. So, its a joint venture.

One of the Smith designers has been to several SAAC events. He even brought full scale drawings of the Shelby hood.

AOSmith provided more than just assembly labor in the form of engineering services. Its the Shelby engineering section where things get interesting in my opinion, they were now free to go in different directions.

[2112]

And at this juncture, Shelby Engineering was in Dearborn/Detroit as a division of Ford?

[Coralsnake]

There was an office / shop in Ionia inside the COE building

[Shelbypat]

There was an office / shop in Ionia inside the COE building

What is COE building ?

Patrick