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The Cars => 1967 Shelby GT350/500 => Topic started by: GT500J on September 24, 2025, 10:45:57 AM

Title: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: GT500J on September 24, 2025, 10:45:57 AM
Thanks
Title: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: Bill Collins on September 24, 2025, 11:25:59 AM
I am annotating this post to acknowledge that this initial reply is incorrect - see subsequent posts in this thread.

No. Your photo shows a top lid with the letter "R" in Cobra having what is referred to as a "straight (bottom) leg". The original, as shown in the first attached photo, has a "curved leg".

The filter is a Baldwin, which is an aftermarket replacement.
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: Bob Gaines on September 24, 2025, 12:08:33 PM
Quote from: Bill Collins on September 24, 2025, 11:25:59 AMNo. Your photo shows a top lid with the letter "R" in Cobra having what is referred to as a "straight (bottom) leg". The original, as shown in the first attached photo, has a "curved leg".

The filter is a Baldwin, which is an aftermarket replacement.
Bill ,I respectfully disagree on your air cleaner assembly determination. Without going into a complete dissertation on all of the differences in 67 GT500 air cleaner assemblies ,there were basically two different styles of air cleaner assemblies used on 67 GT500. The sand cast (Early) and the diecast (Later) . The sand cast had specific letter styles which included a straight leg R. The diecast had slightly different letter styles and a curved leg R. This is besides some other tells on the lids. The lid in the picture appears to be genuine early sand cast style lid .The base also looks be a genuine sand cast style from the the limited pictures included. You can see on the backside facing the camera a crimped on inlet . The filter as you say is a replacement that is far off the mark when compare to genuine. 
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: Bill Collins on September 24, 2025, 12:57:02 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on September 24, 2025, 12:08:33 PM
Quote from: Bill Collins on September 24, 2025, 11:25:59 AMNo. Your photo shows a top lid with the letter "R" in Cobra having what is referred to as a "straight (bottom) leg". The original, as shown in the first attached photo, has a "curved leg".

The filter is a Baldwin, which is an aftermarket replacement.
Bill ,I respectfully disagree on your air cleaner assembly determination. Without going into a complete dissertation on all of the differences in 67 GT500 air cleaner assemblies ,there were basically two different styles of air cleaner assemblies used on 67 GT500. The sand cast (Early) and the diecast (Later) . The sand cast had specific letter styles which included a straight leg R. The diecast had slightly different letter styles and a curved leg R. This is besides some other tells on the lids. The lid in the picture appears to be genuine early sand cast style lid .The base also looks be a genuine sand cast style from the the limited pictures included. You can see on the backside facing the camera a crimped on inlet . The filter as you say is a replacement that is far off the mark when compare to genuine.
Bob, Thank you for the advise. I was in the mindset of it being a '68 unit. However, I now realize the post did appear in the '67 section, and Duh - it has a 2-4bbl base. So much for my keen sense of the obvious! As we know, '67 production comprised numerous variations in many areas of the car.

With apology to GT500J, I will submit my application for concours remediation school!  ;)
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: GT500J on September 24, 2025, 01:46:07 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on September 24, 2025, 12:08:33 PM
Quote from: Bill Collins on September 24, 2025, 11:25:59 AMNo. Your photo shows a top lid with the letter "R" in Cobra having what is referred to as a "straight (bottom) leg". The original, as shown in the first attached photo, has a "curved leg".

The filter is a Baldwin, which is an aftermarket replacement.
Bill ,I respectfully disagree on your air cleaner assembly determination. Without going into a complete dissertation on all of the differences in 67 GT500 air cleaner assemblies ,there were basically two different styles of air cleaner assemblies used on 67 GT500. The sand cast (Early) and the diecast (Later) . The sand cast had specific letter styles which included a straight leg R. The diecast had slightly different letter styles and a curved leg R. This is besides some other tells on the lids. The lid in the picture appears to be genuine early sand cast style lid .The base also looks be a genuine sand cast style from the the limited pictures included. You can see on the backside facing the camera a crimped on inlet . The filter as you say is a replacement that is far off the mark when compare to genuine.




Hi so I'm very confused , is this a real genuine air cleaner ? Or a reproduction?

I can get better pics when home
Title: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: Bill Collins on September 24, 2025, 01:54:00 PM
Sorry for the confusion. According to Bob Gaines, who I know well and is one of our foremost experts and Shelby concours judges, your air cleaner is a genuine original for an early production '67 GT500. The filter is an aftermarket replacement.
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: TA Coupe on September 24, 2025, 03:19:40 PM
A few pictures of mine to compare yours to.

      Roy
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: GT500J on September 24, 2025, 04:04:24 PM
Quote from: Bill Collins on September 24, 2025, 01:54:00 PMSorry for the confusion. According to Bob Gaines, who I know well and is one of our foremost experts and Shelby concours judges, your air cleaner is a genuine original for an early production '67 GT500. The filter is an aftermarket replacement.


Hi I didn't pose a pic of the filters

Just the top cobra air cleaner and the base , so just
Confirming your saying the lid and the base is genuine ? Sorry I'm confused

Thanks
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: Bob Gaines on September 24, 2025, 04:23:21 PM
Quote from: GT500J on September 24, 2025, 04:04:24 PM
Quote from: Bill Collins on September 24, 2025, 01:54:00 PMSorry for the confusion. According to Bob Gaines, who I know well and is one of our foremost experts and Shelby concours judges, your air cleaner is a genuine original for an early production '67 GT500. The filter is an aftermarket replacement.


Hi I didn't pose a pic of the filters

Just the top cobra air cleaner and the base , so just
Confirming your saying the lid and the base is genuine ? Sorry I'm confused

Thanks
The air cleaner top and bottom appear to be genuine early sand cast. The second picture shows the "Baldwin" aftermarket filter MFG ink stamp transferred onto the the base which is why it was mentioned . That ink stamp is not genuine or original. ;) 
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: KR Convertible on September 24, 2025, 04:53:28 PM
Is there a difference between the later die cast lid and a 68 lid?  Besides the wrinkle finish.
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: Bob Gaines on September 24, 2025, 05:03:28 PM
Quote from: KR Convertible on September 24, 2025, 04:53:28 PMIs there a difference between the later die cast lid and a 68 lid?  Besides the wrinkle finish.
Yes the the 68 lid is painted differently compared to the 67 sand cast lid (some were black wrinkle painted) and the 67 diecast lid. 67 has the side edge and top edge bare brushed metal. 68 has only the top flat edge brushed metal leaving the sides black wrinkle. most likely because it was less work. Another big difference is that only the early 68 used the two holes. Most 68 lids have a center added/drilled hole besides the two typical holes.
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: GT500J on September 24, 2025, 05:29:24 PM
Wow awesome! I thought it was a reproduction this entire time ,

So what would this air cleaner be worth? Thanks
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: TA Coupe on September 24, 2025, 07:15:35 PM
Bob don't forget about the dimples.

      Roy
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: Bob Gaines on September 24, 2025, 09:10:04 PM
Quote from: TA Coupe on September 24, 2025, 07:15:35 PMBob don't forget about the dimples.

      Roy
Roy ,I didn't forget. I just hadn't planned on giving a complete dissertation on the subject given the OP's confusion. Those are some of the other tells on the lids that I mentioned in my previous post.
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: tesgt350 on September 25, 2025, 07:21:51 AM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on September 24, 2025, 04:23:21 PM
Quote from: GT500J on September 24, 2025, 04:04:24 PM
Quote from: Bill Collins on September 24, 2025, 01:54:00 PMSorry for the confusion. According to Bob Gaines, who I know well and is one of our foremost experts and Shelby concours judges, your air cleaner is a genuine original for an early production '67 GT500. The filter is an aftermarket replacement.



Just the top cobra air cleaner and the base , so just
Confirming your saying the lid and the base is genuine ? Sorry I'm confused

Thanks
The air cleaner top and bottom appear to be genuine early sand cast. The second picture shows the "Baldwin" aftermarket filter MFG ink stamp transferred onto the the base which is why it was mentioned . That ink stamp is not genuine or original. ;) 

I think the Second Pic (with Filter) belongs to Bill Collins that he used as an example.
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: GT500J on September 25, 2025, 10:25:14 AM
Anyone need this air cleaner or know what it's worth? Our car has a original one on there already and we don't need 2
Title: Re: Is this an original Shelby air cleaner ?
Post by: Maud on September 28, 2025, 02:56:07 AM
Thanks for all sharing,this topic discussion is so helpful,which including many useful information.