With SAAC 50 upcoming, wonder how many "old timers" who owned Shelbys in the '60s are still around still reminiscing!?
We will be there with my 1966 GT350H owned since November 1967. It has been parked for over 45 years and last tags on the car are 1979 which was the last year driven regularly. Took her to the shop and did minimal prep and got her running. This will be her first public showing since parked. Wish us good luck and a good time for all.
Quote from: gt350cs on August 02, 2025, 09:59:58 PMWe will be there with my 1966 GT350H owned since November 1967. It has been parked for over 45 years and last tags on the car are 1979 which was the last year driven regularly. Took her to the shop and did minimal prep and got her running. This will be her first public showing since parked. Wish us good luck and a good time for all.
Post some pictures of that spectacular "Cult Car"
Please !
I haven't owned a Shelby but I'm an "old timer" and been a part of the Nor Cal Shelby Club for 50 years and was at SAAC number 1 and intend to be at the 50th along with some others that were at number 1.
Roy
Killer car!
Sorry that it has taken so long. I could not figure out how to post a picture. I don't know if this will work or not, but I will give it a try.
This picture (if it shows up here) was taken in November 2013. The car has been parked in our current garage since 2000 when we moved. Prior to that it was in our old garage and not driven since the 1970s.
We got her out again a few weeks ago and she is now running and we are ready to bring her to SAAC 50 in a few weeks.
My two sons have been helping me to get her in shape and my youngest son is doing a video record of the process and progress. Hope to have a great time at SAAC 50.
Leave it just like this and enter it in concours,
Will make people go crazy 🤪
Quote from: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on August 05, 2025, 08:45:30 AMLeave it just like this and enter it in concours,
Will make people go crazy 🤪
Exactly what I was thinking. Don't wash it till the second day
Quote from: gt350cs on August 04, 2025, 08:21:18 PMWe got her out again a few weeks ago and she is now running and we are ready to bring her to SAAC 50 in a few weeks.
Don't let DMV talk you out of keeping the original plates. Also you won't have to pay the extra fee for year of manufacture plates since they are original to the car.
Your car was probably first registered in Feb or Mar of 66. 843 was SRL 393 and registered to Hertz Los Angeles in February.
Quote from: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on August 05, 2025, 08:45:30 AMLeave it just like this and enter it in concours,
Will make people go crazy 🤪
As a reminder there is a Survivor class at the Concours Judging. Other than losing a fair amount of points for cleanliness I think we would get a number of judges vying to get to judge the car and a lot just looking at the car. Would be a pleasure and a bit of work. Might even help you find things that you might consider changing back to original or just establish a starting point for someone in the future that chooses to restore it.
People would go crazy, yes these sorts of cars get a lot of attention at the shows though they can be missed my many attendees if parked with all the others. Likely would not be the only Unrestored/Survivor car at the show so you would not be alone.
Look forward to seeing the car there and getting some pictures
GT350cs, what is the VIN for this car? or was it posted and I missed it? Thanks.
Jeff: I have never brought a car to SAAC in all these years and would not know how to get input from the experts, but would appreciate any constructive opinions that would benefit in future plans for the car. Remember when I bought the car in 1967 it had not lived a pampered life at Hertz LA and I myself received a few battle scars on my own those early years (it was just a car?). Looking forward to meeting you at SAAC 50 along with many others.
By the way I did contact you about getting this car prepped for SAAC 50, but you said you have retired and couldn't take on the project. I was fortunate to find a local "Chevy" Guy that has now been converted by being introduced to a Ford that got his blood flowing! He said that he might surprise by showing up for at least one day at the event.
Roy: The number is 6S1854, one of three purchased by Stewart Motors - Hanford, CA. I bought the second one off the lot.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on August 09, 2025, 06:08:55 PMQuote from: gt350cs on August 04, 2025, 08:21:18 PMWe got her out again a few weeks ago and she is now running and we are ready to bring her to SAAC 50 in a few weeks.
Don't let DMV talk you out of keeping the original plates. Also you won't have to pay the extra fee for year of manufacture plates since they are original to the car.
Your car was probably first registered in Feb or Mar of 66. 843 was SRL 393 and registered to Hertz Los Angeles in February.
I am dealing with the DMV right now. When we went to AAA they said that I had to give up the old plates. I said Oh no way!!!! There is currently a method here in California for changing the new plates for legit black plates as long as you have a pair of matching plates with numbers appropriate for the car. I have the original plates already on the car... anlong with a registration sticker from 1979, therefore let's skip the assigning of new plates and simply aknowledege that these are the correct plates. Howard Pardee has confirmed that the plates were documented by old paperwork along with many othe plate numbers. I too have been tracking plate numbers for years.
Quote from: gt350cs on August 10, 2025, 09:02:54 PMQuote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on August 09, 2025, 06:08:55 PMQuote from: gt350cs on August 04, 2025, 08:21:18 PMWe got her out again a few weeks ago and she is now running and we are ready to bring her to SAAC 50 in a few weeks.
Don't let DMV talk you out of keeping the original plates. Also you won't have to pay the extra fee for year of manufacture plates since they are original to the car.
Your car was probably first registered in Feb or Mar of 66. 843 was SRL 393 and registered to Hertz Los Angeles in February.
I am dealing with the DMV right now. When we went to AAA they said that I had to give up the old plates. I said Oh no way!!!! There is currently a method here in California for changing the new plates for legit black plates as long as you have a pair of matching plates with numbers appropriate for the car. I have the original plates already on the car... anlong with a registration sticker from 1979, therefore let's skip the assigning of new plates and simply aknowledege that these are the correct plates. Howard Pardee has confirmed that the plates were documented by old paperwork along with many othe plate numbers. I too have been tracking plate numbers for years.
A friend had a 57 Ford with black plates. It had been in his dad's garage for years. DMV renewed them on that car once he showed them the registration that they had always been on the car. CA has a YOM (year of manufacture) law that lets you put correct year plates on your car as long as you have 2 and they are in good condition. You need to just keep bumping up the food chain until you find someone who knows the law. AAA may not be your answer but you can always go online and look at all the CA vehicle code sections on plates and print out those that apply to show the AAA clerk.
I put 1929 plates on our Model A under the YOM law and I get to pay and extra $40 a year for "personal" plates that CA originally issued in 1929 and didn't cost them anything to make today.
In the current gouge everyone for anything tax structure of CA the DMV may not give in and charge you as YOM plates. I can't wait to move out of this cesspool.
I do have copies of the registrations going back into the 70s and up into the 90s when we stopped renewing. AAA said that they thought that with those in hand and the required paperwork completed that I should be OK. But like you said California is not the place to be anymore. Too many Democrats that won't vote Republican no matter what. Hope we see a change this next election, but I won't hold my Breath!
Spent well over 2 hours at the DMV today. Since the car is no longer in the system they couldn't figure out what to do. They took all of my records including the 1967 Bill of Sale and made copies and said they would have to let the Sacramento office deal with it. The best they could do was give me Temporary Permit until the end of October.
They tried to take my original black plates, but I refused to turn them over. I was informed that they will have to issue new plates even after I paid $50 extra to use my original issue plates. They said that the plates I showed them were 63 because that was pressed into the plate and not 1966. I tried to explain that that same press was used into 1969. We also went around several times abought the fact that the car should be registered as Ford. The best that I could do was get them to submit SHLBY which is in their system as an option, but not SHELBY...go figure.
I am getting way to old for this!!!!!!!!
Quote from: gt350cs on August 12, 2025, 10:30:30 PMSpent well over 2 hours at the DMV today. Since the car is no longer in the system they couldn't figure out what to do. They took all of my records including the 1967 Bill of Sale and made copies and said they would have to let the Sacramento office deal with it. The best they could do was give me Temporary Permit until the end of October.
They tried to take my original black plates, but I refused to turn them over. I was informed that they will have to issue new plates even after I paid $50 extra to use my original issue plates. They said that the plates I showed them were 63 because that was pressed into the plate and not 1966. I tried to explain that that same press was used into 1969. We also went around several times abought the fact that the car should be registered as Ford. The best that I could do was get them to submit SHLBY which is in their system as an option, but not SHELBY...go figure.
I am getting way to old for this!!!!!!!!
So you had the opportunity today to watch your tax dollars hard at work.
Pushing papers from here to there and back again to here.
Definitely a candidate for a D.O.G.E. review
Call this number 1-800-ELON-FIXIT
Quote from: gt350cs on August 04, 2025, 08:21:18 PMSorry that it has taken so long. I could not figure out how to post a picture. I don't know if this will work or not, but I will give it a try.
This picture (if it shows up here) was taken in November 2013. The car has been parked in our current garage since 2000 when we moved. Prior to that it was in our old garage and not driven since the 1970s.
We got her out again a few weeks ago and she is now running and we are ready to bring her to SAAC 50 in a few weeks.
My two sons have been helping me to get her in shape and my youngest son is doing a video record of the process and progress. Hope to have a great time at SAAC 50.
Just to confirm - is the missing "H" in the side stripes and the backwards grill emblem original to the car, as to how you purchased it in November of 1967??
Thanks!
Kieth
Everything as you see in this picture is exactly as I received the car in 1967. Neither of these items have been touched by me. When I bought the car I did not even know that it was a rental car. I just knew that I wanted a Shelby and the price was right for me at the time. All of the dust is aftermarket.
We have replaced the wheels and tires in the picture wiih the original wheels and repo Hertz caps. When I bought the car the center caps were Shelby not Hertz. Also unbeknownst to me the drive and passenger seat belts had been replaced by aftermarket and they are still on the car today. I do have Branda replacement that I will install later. The wheels and tire shown in this picture have been on the car since before it was parked in the late 1970s. We plan on bringing them along when we go to SAAC 50. We put tubes in the because one of them was loosing air over time. The other three did not have any issues loosing air if you can beleive it.
Quote from: gt350cs on August 12, 2025, 10:30:30 PMThey tried to take my original black plates, but I refused to turn them over. I was informed that they will have to issue new plates even after I paid $50 extra to use my original issue plates. They said that the plates I showed them were 63 because that was pressed into the plate and not 1966. I tried to explain that that same press was used into 1969. We also went around several times abought the fact that the car should be registered as Ford. The best that I could do was get them to submit SHLBY which is in their system as an option, but not SHELBY...go figure.
I am getting way to old for this!!!!!!!!
It clearly stated on the serial number tag - Manufactured by Shelby American - NOT Ford. Get yourself armed with info from Howard like the original invoice and dealer etc. Take the registry along. If you don't have one I'm sure someone who lives near you will loan you theirs. There are registration services that can steer you through the mess. Here is the info on YOM - they used the same plate from 63-69. https://oldplateguy.com/1963-1969-ca-license-plates-for-sale/
It looks like they may have already screwed you if they issued new plates and cancelled your old ones. Now the process switches to you submitting your plates for inspection and if approved they will cancel the new plates and let you use your old ones for a fee......
There have been no new plate numbers issued. Temporary Permit simply say SHLBy SFM6S1854. I am waiting to see what Sacrmento says before moving forward. Should have never let it expire in the first place. Just thought it was no big deal back then. Now I know better.
Thanks for the feedback!
Had the opposite experience with the cal. D.M.V. when I went to register my 67 and have original plates reassigned after over 20 years off the road unregistered and not non oped...Lady on the phone help line couldn't have been more helpful.Suggested "work arounds"to retain my original title /keep reg. fees down,and ease the process to get my original plates reassigned to the car.I was on hold for along time initially, but then the process was very,very smooth..Probably helped that she was a longtime t bird collector....Sometimes you get lucky I guess.....
Quote from: gt350cs on August 13, 2025, 03:59:11 PMShould have never let it expire in the first place. Just thought it was no big deal back then.
Back then it was no big deal. Now if a car is current and you don't want to pay the fees and keep it insured you need to do a non-op form (I think they are even charging for that now). If you just park it the fees and penalties just keep adding up. They'll mail you a letter when they get a notice from the insurance company you no longer have insurance. The letter says they cancelled your registration - but the fees and penalties will keep accruing.
My 98 SVT Mustang (I just can't bring myself to call it a Cobra) was right at 2 years out of registration when I bought it. It cost me nearly $800 to bring it current. If they had known it had been sold twice during that time they'd have held me up for the transfers and sales tax on those sales too.
About 15-20 years back was trying to get the Shelby vin # for my first cobra as I was unable to find it in the registry. I did have the black CA plate # from 1966. Reached out to CA DMV and was told to send a check for $50 and they would get it from their archives. Sent the check, and a week later....after the check had cleared... was notified that it was too old for their archives! Gotta love the "golden state"!
Quote from: 557 on August 13, 2025, 06:28:41 PMHad the opposite experience with the cal. D.M.V. when I went to register my 67 and have original plates reassigned after over 20 years off the road unregistered and not non oped...Lady on the phone help line couldn't have been more helpful.
Suggested "work arounds"to retain my original title /keep reg. fees down,and ease the process to get my original plates reassigned to the car.
I was on hold for along time initially, but then the process was very,very smooth..Probably helped that she was a longtime t bird collector....Sometimes you get lucky I guess.....
I have no complaints either, I visit the same tag agency for years and renew all our vehicles at the same time.
The gals that work there and I kinda sorta know each other. They call me the guy with the cars.
We have a Ford F150 for what ever reason it was listed as a commercial vehicle throwing off its tag renewal from the others.
I asked one of the gals how could we get them all to renew at the same time?
She got on the computer, asked if I used it for work and did I haul any heavy equipment?
The answer was NO
She miraculously reduced the trucks weight, took off the commercial vehicle status.
Putting on schedule with all our cars and the tag went from commercial to regular passenger.
A savings of close to $75
I guess being nice when I visit them and sponsoring their lunch does pay off.
Quote from: gt350cs on August 13, 2025, 02:30:35 PMEverything as you see in this picture is exactly as I received the car in 1967. Neither of these items have been touched by me. When I bought the car I did not even know that it was a rental car. I just knew that I wanted a Shelby and the price was right for me at the time. All of the dust is aftermarket.
Confirmation received - Thank You!
That is amazingly interesting and
very COOL!!!
Kieth
Quote from: FL SAAC on August 13, 2025, 08:28:18 PMWe have a Ford F150 for what ever reason it was listed as a commercial vehicle throwing off its tag renewal from the others.
She miraculously reduced the trucks weight, took off the commercial vehicle status.
Putting on schedule with all our cars and the tag went from commercial to regular passenger.
A savings of close to $75
In CA all trucks are commercial regardless of use. Even Rancheros and El Caminos have the weight fee. The only way to beat it is have a habitable camper on it or be eligible and get disability plates.
Would LOVE to read a narrative from the OP on how SAAC-50 went and how well-received this car was (and hopefully with more photos).
We will be heading up tomorrow for the convention. Had it cleaned up and even with all of its' many dings it really looks surprising good for an old gal. The interior is in especially good condition. Looking forward to seeing old friends again and enjoying the opportunity to make new friends as well.
My son has been putting together a video of the process and will be posting on Youtube some time later.
When we get back I will replace the front seat belts and add the brake warning decal to the dash. I wanted to keep everthing as close as possible to when I purchased the car in 1967.
Quote from: gt350cs on August 12, 2025, 10:30:30 PM.... We also went around several times abought the fact that the car should be registered as Ford. The best that I could do was get them to submit SHLBY which is in their system as an option, but not SHELBY...go figure.
I am getting way to old for this!!!!!!!!
Krap. They've got "GT500" for the MAKE in my reg. Not Shelby or Ford, and that was how it was when I got it forty years ago.
Redbarchetta: I am not the OP, but here is the end of this chapter.
We were able to get everything ready and made the trip to SAAC 50. I and my wife, son, daughter in law and their two girls attended SAAC 50 and had a great time. We trailered the car along with their camping trailer and our personal car to use to get around in while we were there since my wife and I were staying at a motel, nearby. The trip to Sonoma Raceway was very good with no problems.
We arrived there in the afternoon and after setting up camp we drove the car down to the area where several GT350H were parked for showing. We received a warm welcome from those that had already been there and started getting acquainted. Almost immediately the car was surrounded by a crowd. It was crazy and questions were flying left and right. I later learned that some of those looking very close at the car and asking permission to really get a good look at the details were judges for the concours car show. They were all very friendly and verified that much of the car was all original and pointed to a few items that had been replaced. I informed him that I had kept all original parts that I had replaced (fuel pump and master cylinder, etc.). Later I will have the originals rebuilt and reinstall them.
We met so wonderful new people and a few that we only knew through various forums on the internet. We had a great time and made some new friends that I hope we will remain in contact with. A special shout out to Rich Wilson (GT350H) and Bob Back (1968 GT500KR Convertible) it was great to meet you and get acquainted with you both. We also met up with some old friends and well. These two, made us feel especially welcome.
The weather was very good every day and it looked like everyone was having a great time. Didn't see any foolishness going on. We also were able to meet Wayne Carini on the first day and he was kind enough to look at my car. When we arrived at the car there was only Wayne my son and me. He stayed longer than I thought that he might and when he saw the car his first words were "Do you want to sell it?" Of course, my response was no. After looking at the car more closely he said that I should keep the car as is they are original only once. I asked what he would do about the rear damage and bent rear bumper. Should I get that cleaned up? And he said: "ABSOLUTELY NOT, that is part of the history of this car." So, I plan on taking his advice the only future changes will be to have my original fuel pump, brake cylinder and any other old parts rebuilt and put back on.
On Sunday they had the Popular Vote car show. Our plan was to leave as soon as the show was over. At the end of the car show we gathered around the area where they were announcing the prizes. We could barely hear as they called off the car numbers and owner's names. As we got closer to the end of the presentations, they announced that there would be five "Special Awards" given out. They read off the remaining Awards and to my surprise my son turned to me and yelled "that's you, that's you". Of course, my response was "you have got to be kidding me". We received the Team Shelby Pick Award.
This was the first time I entered this car in a show of any type. I didn't start showing cars until some time after parking this car. Pretty good first show and first Award. I plan to continue to drive this one and enjoy it while I can. No longer concerned about the nicks and dings!!!!
Here she is at the Show.
Congratulations! Great car!
This weekend I noticed a lot of "Team Shelby" mentions and now awards. Has the new "Kopecless" SAAC gone over to the dark side?
It appears that Team Shelby Picks go back to SAAC 48 at least. I purchased a black 2007 Shelby GT 07SGT07 1435 and am happy to have it as well as my "original" 1966 GT350H, and 1967 GT350 and 1967 GT500s. A differnt time and a different place, but still great memories and fun!!!!
gt350cs is my dad and we've been documenting getting his car back on the road. If anyone is interested, the first video had been posted on YouTube. I hope you guys enjoy it. I plan on posting a new video every week. Thanks for taking the time to watch it.
https://youtu.be/zOXwi0azUGE?si=jp_7bPRP3_haF9JR
Very cool, thanks for posting that.
Dave
Here is the next video in the series. It's a short one.
https://youtu.be/Q4xX0vIlWhY?si=1VuULWIr03bVrrzy
Here is the next video in the series.
https://youtu.be/-3yY6vp6SbE?si=Lo3ye-CuUCMGULnu
Quote from: gt350cs on August 26, 2025, 05:06:42 PMRedbarchetta: I am not the OP, but here is the end of this chapter.
We were able to get everything ready and made the trip to SAAC 50. I and my wife, son, daughter in law and their two girls attended SAAC 50 and had a great time. We trailered the car along with their camping trailer and our personal car to use to get around in while we were there since my wife and I were staying at a motel, nearby. The trip to Sonoma Raceway was very good with no problems.
We arrived there in the afternoon and after setting up camp we drove the car down to the area where several GT350H were parked for showing. We received a warm welcome from those that had already been there and started getting acquainted. Almost immediately the car was surrounded by a crowd. It was crazy and questions were flying left and right. I later learned that some of those looking very close at the car and asking permission to really get a good look at the details were judges for the concours car show. They were all very friendly and verified that much of the car was all original and pointed to a few items that had been replaced. I informed him that I had kept all original parts that I had replaced (fuel pump and master cylinder, etc.). Later I will have the originals rebuilt and
On Sunday they had the Popular Vote car show. Our plan was to leave as soon as the show was over. At the end of the car show we gathered around the area where they were announcing the prizes. We could barely hear as they called off the car numbers and owner's names. As we got closer to the end of the presentations, they announced that there would be five "Special Awards" given out. They read off the remaining Awards and to my surprise my son turned to me and yelled "that's you, that's you". Of course, my response was "you have got to be kidding me". We received the Team Shelby Pick Award.
Team Shelby is a great group, without the early cars, they wouldn't have the new ones and without the new ones, the older cars may have been forgotten
They must love 66 GT350H cars as Team Shelby picked my car for their award at SAAC 49
"without the early cars, they wouldn't have the new ones and without the new ones, the older cars may have been forgotten"
SAAC saved the legacy of SA (as well as CS) and increased the knowledge and desirability of the cars - they would have not been forgotten.
You have the new ones for a simple reason. Ford had trouble selling performance Mustangs no matter which trademark they put on them. SVO, SVT, GT350, Cobra. None of them hit the marketing hot spot. When the retro 2005 Mustang came out SVT built a supercharged hotrod to sell. Seeing how the Shelby name (the only trademark Ford didn't own) had boosted the free ink and sales of Dodge products they decided to place the call. CS wanted $1,000 per car to use his name. He got a 12 million personal services contract to hawk Fords again for 5 years.
You have Team Shelby because SAAC did not want the new cars. They had tried a Dodge club when CS asked them but that was a miserable failure. CS's failure to then sieze SAAC meant starting a new club. Today TS is an inhouse marketing arm for SA.
The fourth video has been posted. Thanks again for watching.
https://youtu.be/UlrVSpjXen8?si=LyvAYSy1TMyCFMzv
Great videos....keepem coming!
Black n Gold
I just dont understand how a car like this sits that long without being driven. If i let my hertz sit more than a week i start getting the urge to drive it.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 21, 2025, 04:16:51 PM"without the early cars, they wouldn't have the new ones and without the new ones, the older cars may have been forgotten"
SAAC saved the legacy of SA (as well as CS) and increased the knowledge and desirability of the cars - they would have not been forgotten.
You have the new ones for a simple reason. Ford had trouble selling performance Mustangs no matter which trademark they put on them. SVO, SVT, GT350, Cobra. None of them hit the marketing hot spot. When the retro 2005 Mustang came out SVT built a supercharged hotrod to sell. Seeing how the Shelby name (the only trademark Ford didn't own) had boosted the free ink and sales of Dodge products they decided to place the call. CS wanted $1,000 per car to use his name. He got a 12 million personal services contract to hawk Fords again for 5 years.
You have Team Shelby because SAAC did not want the new cars. They had tried a Dodge club when CS asked them but that was a miserable failure. CS's failure to then sieze SAAC meant starting a new club. Today TS is an inhouse marketing arm for SA.
I was in no way downplaying the signifigance of SAAC. I have been a proud member of SAAC from almost the very beginning and have participated in many SAAC Conventions in the past, aqttending our first in Pasadena. They are and most likely will always be the premier group of Shelby enthusiasts.
I was also an owner of a Dodge Daytona CS when they first became available through Chrysler when Carroll was associated with them many years ago.
And when the next generation Shelbys became available I also went there and still own a 2007 Shelby GT. I was simply express9ng my appreciation of having received an award from a surprising source. I was and I am still humbled by their recognition.
I met and talked with so many wonderful people at the Convention and will always treasure the experience of our shared interest in these cars. The best part of it all was seeing the reaction of our children and granchildren who attended their first Convention. I am sure that it won't be their last.