1967 GT500 Air Cleaner Questions

[SFM66H]

I'm looking for help evaluating this air cleaner assembly for both its authenticity and for the value of it in this completely unrestored state.

Thanks for the help!
Kieth

[Fast Fords]

I am pretty sure it is a reproduction piece.

[SFM66H]

Thanks - can you elaborate?

[Wedgeman]

Original COBRA  lid...see how close the A is to the R

[propayne]

In case anybody cares that is called "kerning".

- Phillip

[SFM66H]

WHAT - is called "kerning" ??

[430dragpack]

It appears to be an original earlier '67 sand cast top and bottom and they had the straight leg "R" as well as other different letter shapes/features.  The first sand cast lids were natural aluminum finish and the second variation was black crinkle painted like the one in the first post.  I can't tell from the pictures, but the side/edge of the lid should be aluminum finished as well, no crinkle paint.  The picture Wedgeman posted is of a die cast, curved leg "R" that was used later in '67-'68.

[SFM66H]

Thanks 430dragpak - your response dovetails with what I have learned of late.

If you would care to assess its perceived value (but don't want to do it publicly) you could PM me, and I would repay the favor...

[TA Coupe]

http://www.nvsaac.com/shelbyparts/Shelby_tech_main.htm

Also very long discussion here:

https://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=16457.0

          Roy

[Kent]

I would say this is a later produced piece I have some similar ones here and also some originals, and also if you have the originals and later produced ones side by side its hard to divide them. ok lets take it further, the o and a indicates its the early sandcast so they used this mold but from the pvc elbow and the material shape of both parts I would say it was done later all the early ones I have look a little bit more rough in the letters and the pvc elbow is different. It´s just a guess that maybe the form was used later again in the 70s maybe. I have some similar pieces but exactly compared to the from factory pre 600 gt500 cars there are small differences that you can see. maybe I`m wrong and they changed the aluminum material a bit and the pvc elbow in the production of maybe the 600 pieces they made so that there are differences or what my guess is that they used the casting form later again in the 70s.

[SFM66H]

http://www.nvsaac.com/shelbyparts/Shelby_tech_main.htm

Also very long discussion here:

https://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=16457.0

          Roy

Thanks for the links Roy - much appreciated. I had already digested them both in my search for air cleaner education. I feel confident in my ability to ID the sand cast and the diecast versions, but still lack a clear understanding of what constitutes the reproductions...

The search for knowledge continues!

Thanks,
Kieth

[SFM66H]

I would say this is a later produced piece I have some similar ones here and also some originals, and also if you have the originals and later produced ones side by side its hard to divide them.

Thanks Kent. Sorry, I am not clear on what you mean by "originals" and "later produced ones"??

I mean, the sand cast ones in bare aluminum were made first - and then in black krinkle. Then the diecast ones were made "later" in both (again) bare aluminum and black krinkle (I THINK the diecast ones were made in both finishes, but would like confirmation).

So in my paragraph above, are both "originals" and "later produced ones" - but both types (to me) ARE originals. Thus my confusion with your reply...

Thanks again,
Kieth

[propayne]

WHAT - is called "kerning" ??

It is the spacing between letters. Trained/skilled graphic designers (like Peter Brock) understand how to visually adjust type so that it looks pleasing or "correct" to the eye.

That is a part of why, in cases where a logo is a major feature of the part, original pieces often look better.

People/companies making copies don't understand or don't take the time to really study the logo and they don't even reproduce it correctly.

- Phillilp

[SFM66H]

Okay, Thanks Phillip.
I should have Googled it (oops) but was glad to have learned about the term from you nonetheless.

The kerning of the "R" and the "A" are WAY different indeed between the sand cast and the diecast versions of the '67 air cleaner lids!

Kieth

[propayne]

The letters "A" and "Y" in particular require tight kerning because of their shapes. With normal spacing they visually appear too far away from the letters next to them.

- Phillip