Rich,
So the Z prefix was an inventory marking during, or after, or both...... the SAI to FoMoCo transition ?
Thanks in advance,
Bob
So far, we have not found any conclusive answer to the purpose of the Z VIN. We need to continue to gather documentation (such as the Shelby Production Orders and other papers to analyze. There are many theories that are out there. Some are very interesting and timely, such as the cars being compliant for all 50 states, with the mid-May added outboard grille lights.
Back in July of 2018, I suggested 4/27 ('67) was the date I observed, after analyzing hundreds of photos of the VIN plates
(An exceptions was found where a completed car was already at a Ford inventory lot before it shipped to the selling deaelr) .
Brian Styles noted some of the other theories in his post on our SRG Google Group. His post was from May 2018.
https://groups.google.com/g/shelbyresearch/c/vvHdD9CG4d0/m/2KBfIpeUAgAJ Clearly the Z stamp was being looked at again, to try and find an answer.
Our current theory is the Z stamps were added when the Ford takeover started and continued for the remainder of production at LAX, not before. I imagine the writing was on the wall and SAI knew it was coming. The bleeding had to be stopped and Ford decided it was time to step in completely at or very near that time. Again this is just our current theory. We continue to gather any available documents and photos to review, to get a better understanding.