Hello all,
I have just purchased 4159. it's on a train home now.The panels are in good shape, paint is in bad shape with a coat of clear to preserve, rear axle housing does not have the taper so may??? not be original.
Interior trim has never been touched, upholstery in good shape, woodgrain on dash is faded, original carpet in great shape, steering wheel and shift stick are incorrect.
Motor pulls hard and car runs and drives well, came from factory as 4 speed, highland green, factory air, tilt wheel, factory tinted glass.
So, what to do and I seek advice/feedback.
My thoughts are full restoration, panel, paint and engine work by the pro's, the rest me and an old school speedway mate.
I'm undecided about the interior, do I leave it as is?selectively restore ie do all the brightwork?Will that make the rest look tired?If I restore the woodgrain finish on the dash the doors and console will have to be done as well....what to do?
I will post a few pics and would value your advice on what restoration approach is best, or just leave as is?
I'm not looking at a concours car, but everything off, on the rotisserie and full top notch paint and paint.
Apologies for long post but I'm seeking the second owner , a Dr Robert Lee Dougherty of Poway CA.Dr Dougherty owned the KR for 40 years the first owner selling it to him after about 1 year of ownership and the third owner in Australia(who I purchased it off)doing only minimal maintainence type work in 10 years of ownership.So all the history resides with Dr Dougherty, he owned not only the GT500KR but also a GT350 so it's not unrealistic to think someone within the SAAC community may know of/him.Story goes he used to tow the GT350 with the KR(towhitch is still in place) to race meets.I would be grateful for any contact info, would love to make the story as complete as possible for this car.
Thanks in advance for any responses.
Congrats and welcome.
Proceed slowly and enjoy the process.
Sorry thought I had attached 4 pics, got it worked out now, pics attached.
OK I'm on L plates, another attempt with pics hopefully clearer ;D
Very nice, I rebuilt a twin to your car, Highland Green, 4 spd with AC.
Round up the missing parts, keep them with the car and drive it, save the restoration for the future
At the time the black side wall tires were not reproduced
(http://www.thecoralsnake.com/4410iowa2.jpg)
I too would drive and enjoy it. Once its restored you wont feel as confortable driving the wheels off it
I won't get my GT350 painted as I would not be able to take it out and feel as comfortable as I do now
Well I believe that is a 66? Shelby aftermarket steering wheel and 69 Shelby wheels so you probably have some trade value there to get the correct parts.Congrats and good luck!!! Trent
Congrats!
I have seen some dealers added 1969 wheels to 1968 cars, don't be so quick to ditch those.
Quote from: pmustang on January 26, 2020, 01:59:43 PM
I too would drive and enjoy it. Once its restored you wont feel as confortable driving the wheels off it
I won't get my GT350 painted as I would not be able to take it out and feel as comfortable as I do now
+1
I've been cautious to drive my KR (and 66 Hertz which bought after a full resto) since getting it back from the paint shop. It seems to sit on the 4 post hoist while i drive my Mach1 as it doesn't bother me if it gets a chip or dent from a flying stone, let alone the fools who can cause an accident due distractions like cell phone use
Enjoy it for now and restore it later once you've had some great memories in it.
That thing looks wicked with the crusty black paint IMHO 8)
+1 on keeping it as is.
My 67 GT350 wears a black single stage paint from the late 60s. She's no beauty queen, and I get more comments when driving that then I do in my 66 Carryover. Part of the reason, IMO, is because people believe the 67 to be real due to the condition. There are lots of clones out there, and you almost never see a patina'd clone. My assumption is that people think the chances are higher that's its real with patina.
However, the true joy in the 67 isn't getting attention. The true joy is in driving in it's current state without worry! It makes running errands a LOT more fun. 👍🏻
hallelujah baby jesus can we get an amen !
+ another 1
Quote from: Shelby_r_b on January 26, 2020, 08:47:02 PM
+1 on keeping it as is.
My 67 GT350 wears a black single stage paint from the late 60s. She's no beauty queen, and I get more comments when driving that then I do in my 66 Carryover. Part of the reason, IMO, is because people believe the 67 to be real due to the condition. There are lots of clones out there, and you almost never see a patina'd clone. My assumption is that people think the chances are higher that's its real with patina.
However, the true joy in the 67 isn't getting attention. The true joy is in driving in it's current state without worry! It makes running errands a LOT more fun. 👍🏻
I saw a 58 GT500 KR in france with a clear coat added on cracking original paint to preserve it too , it's pretty cool , same advice like the other , drive it and drive it , enjoy it as much as you can and when you ll have the feeling to get a shiny 100% nice paint job then go for it ! ;)
I think the popular vote is to drive and enjoy it. That's what I am planning on doing with my KR ( Raven black, air, 4-speed). Go through the mechanical's to make sure it is safe, and then hit the road!
Excellent choice you wont regret it, enjoy it to the fullest and always remember...
Quote from: Peter L. on January 27, 2020, 08:02:57 AM
I think the popular vote is to drive and enjoy it. That's what I am planning on doing with my KR ( Raven black, air, 4-speed). Go through the mechanical's to make sure it is safe, and then hit the road!
Quote from: 557 on January 26, 2020, 05:46:26 PM
That thing looks wicked with the crusty black paint IMHO 8)
+1
My 67 500 has the black repaint that was on it when I bought it in 82 which has gotten kinda crusty and flawed .Someday it will get repainted the original Wimbledon white....That is in the distant,distant future as it is WAY too much fun driving it like this.I don't trip out on every little flaw or feel bad about hammering on the car a bit.There are many,many restored cars out there (which you only see in a show setting).Not so many flawed driver type early shelbys seen on the street.Enjoy it now as a driver and you can always restore it later.Try it you'll like it!!! ;D
Quote from: Coralsnake on January 26, 2020, 08:08:46 AM
At the time the black side wall tires were not reproduced
(http://www.thecoralsnake.com/4410iowa2.jpg)
Very nice, I look forward to the day mine looks like that.
Quote from: Coralsnake on January 26, 2020, 04:11:13 PM
I have seen some dealers added 1969 wheels to 1968 cars, don't be so quick to ditch those.
The wheels are interesting. To quote from the Shelby registry history for this car "on 6/5/69 the U-01 recall campaign called for replacement of 4 1969 Shelby wheels and 20 lugs." What a 68 car was doing with 69 wheels on it is unclear, but it didn't sell when new until 31/3/69, so maybe the first owner saw the 69 wheels and asked for the 68's to be switched when he bought it.
Quote from: 557 on January 26, 2020, 03:43:43 PM
Well I believe that is a 66? Shelby aftermarket steering wheel and 69 Shelby wheels so you probably have some trade value there to get the correct parts.Congrats and good luck!!! Trent
It's a 68, and thank you.
Quote from: Bigfoot on January 25, 2020, 10:28:19 PM
Congrats and welcome.
Proceed slowly and enjoy the process.
Thank you.
Quote from: pmustang on January 26, 2020, 01:59:43 PM
I too would drive and enjoy it. Once its restored you wont feel as confortable driving the wheels off it
I won't get my GT350 painted as I would not be able to take it out and feel as comfortable as I do now
Seems to be the recommended advice here :D Thank you.
Quote from: GT350AUS on January 26, 2020, 04:45:47 PM
Quote from: pmustang on January 26, 2020, 01:59:43 PM
I too would drive and enjoy it. Once its restored you wont feel as confortable driving the wheels off it
I won't get my GT350 painted as I would not be able to take it out and feel as comfortable as I do now
+1
I've been cautious to drive my KR (and 66 Hertz which bought after a full resto) since getting it back from the paint shop. It seems to sit on the 4 post hoist while i drive my Mach1 as it doesn't bother me if it gets a chip or dent from a flying stone, let alone the fools who can cause an accident due distractions like cell phone use
Enjoy it for now and restore it later once you've had some great memories in it.
I hear you , sounds like good advice, thanks.
Quote from: 557 on January 26, 2020, 05:46:26 PM
That thing looks wicked with the crusty black paint IMHO 8)
Def looks like a bad boy right now!!
Quote from: Shelby_r_b on January 26, 2020, 08:47:02 PM
+1 on keeping it as is.
My 67 GT350 wears a black single stage paint from the late 60s. She's no beauty queen, and I get more comments when driving that then I do in my 66 Carryover. Part of the reason, IMO, is because people believe the 67 to be real due to the condition. There are lots of clones out there, and you almost never see a patina'd clone. My assumption is that people think the chances are higher that's its real with patina.
However, the true joy in the 67 isn't getting attention. The true joy is in driving in it's current state without worry! It makes running errands a LOT more fun. 👍🏻
Yep, I think Im starting to get the message, thanks :D
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on January 26, 2020, 09:17:40 PM
hallelujah baby jesus can we get an amen !
+ another 1
Quote from: Shelby_r_b on January 26, 2020, 08:47:02 PM
+1 on keeping it as is.
My 67 GT350 wears a black single stage paint from the late 60s. She's no beauty queen, and I get more comments when driving that then I do in my 66 Carryover. Part of the reason, IMO, is because people believe the 67 to be real due to the condition. There are lots of clones out there, and you almost never see a patina'd clone. My assumption is that people think the chances are higher that's its real with patina.
However, the true joy in the 67 isn't getting attention. The true joy is in driving in it's current state without worry! It makes running errands a LOT more fun. 👍🏻
If I do a full resto I may not tell you guys :D :D :D
Quote from: chris NOS on January 27, 2020, 03:23:22 AM
I saw a 58 GT500 KR in france with a clear coat added on cracking original paint to preserve it too , it's pretty cool , same advice like the other , drive it and drive it , enjoy it as much as you can and when you ll have the feeling to get a shiny 100% nice paint job then go for it ! ;)
This all follows the same reasoning and seems like very good advice, thank you.
Quote from: Peter L. on January 27, 2020, 08:02:57 AM
I think the popular vote is to drive and enjoy it. That's what I am planning on doing with my KR ( Raven black, air, 4-speed). Go through the mechanical's to make sure it is safe, and then hit the road!
It's a landslide victory for leave it alone, at least for a while !!
Quote from: 557 on January 27, 2020, 08:04:46 PM
My 67 500 has the black repaint that was on it when I bought it in 82 which has gotten kinda crusty and flawed .Someday it will get repainted the original Wimbledon white....That is in the distant,distant future as it is WAY too much fun driving it like this.I don't trip out on every little flaw or feel bad about hammering on the car a bit.There are many,many restored cars out there (which you only see in a show setting).Not so many flawed driver type early shelbys seen on the street.Enjoy it now as a driver and you can always restore it later.Try it you'll like it!!! ;D
I think you guys are convincing me.....thanks everyone for taking the time to give your thoughts, it helps!!
A couple more pics while I'm here. :D
Quote from: Jack4159 on January 31, 2020, 02:11:34 AM
Quote from: Peter L. on January 27, 2020, 08:02:57 AM
I think the popular vote is to drive and enjoy it. That's what I am planning on doing with my KR ( Raven black, air, 4-speed). Go through the mechanical's to make sure it is safe, and then hit the road!
It's a landslide victory for leave it alone, at least for a while !!
You may want to add some correct parts missing like the SW console gauges and original shifter or buy them and put them aside for later resto. Gary
Is it my iPad or is the car painted black. I note in the first post it stated it was highland green but most pictures look black with one of the LH fender and hood looking green in the most recent pictures posted?
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on January 31, 2020, 05:54:21 AM
Quote from: Jack4159 on January 31, 2020, 02:11:34 AM
Quote from: Peter L. on January 27, 2020, 08:02:57 AM
I think the popular vote is to drive and enjoy it. That's what I am planning on doing with my KR ( Raven black, air, 4-speed). Go through the mechanical's to make sure it is safe, and then hit the road!
It's a landslide victory for leave it alone, at least for a while !!
You may want to add some correct parts missing like the SW console gauges and original shifter or buy them and put them aside for later resto. Gary
Thanks Gary, I have the original shifter came with the car, but what are "SW console guages"?
Stewart Warner console gauges
http://www.thecoralsnake.com/Electrical.HTML
I have a very nice pair for sale if you email me.
Coralsnake68@hotmail.com
the console gauges are incorrect. it's hard to tell from the second picture but the center console, between the front seats, may have been changed , too. Tim Lea restores old console gauges and would be a good source to start.
Quote from: GT350AUS on January 31, 2020, 05:57:43 AM
Is it my iPad or is the car painted black. I note in the first post it stated it was highland green but most pictures look black with one of the LH fender and hood looking green in the most recent pictures posted?
I think it's had a coat of black with patches of highland green showing... seller thought it was original paint as did his workshop who have been all over and under the car over the last 10 years and they could be right, they are enthusiasts and standup guys.....panel/paint guy in my home state will tell me in 30 sec flat when it arrives, he lives and breathes mustangs and runs a classic mustang race team.
It looks like black laquer over the original highland green enamel. Laquer checks like that. If you find the right guy he might be able to save the highland green and careful remove the black. That would look very awesomely