Messages

I was never trying to rip anyone's Shelby knowledge resume.
Just pointing out a difference and wondering if there are more cars with a particular part similar to mine.
And yes, if I made a particular claim its because I can back it up.
Only and eight ball would do otherwise. 
I do have a bone to pick with certain vendors.

If anyone wants to point a finger at my GT500 and claim "that's not correct" then OK,  fine with me.
I'm surely not going to battle over it or go home and cry.

Remember,  this should be a fun hobby and we're all big boys.

Well, don't know what to tell you. After 45 years, possibly I may be wrong but I do have an excellent memory.
I was told Mr. Perry was a Huntsville AL police officer, could it be he lived in a "suburb" adjacent to Huntsville ?
I attended  the Jackson Mississippi Labor Day weekend show back in 1981 when Mark Smith was the SAAC southeast rep.
I was told I'd definitely find some nice Shelby's for sale so I flew down.
Steve Perry's friends brought the car to the show.
I didn't know for sure if Steve's GT500 would be at the show but surprise it was.
I looked it over and saw it was complete, rust free, dead on original with a few dings and some faded paint as Steve mentioned and jumped on it.
I met George Paul and his wife Perri and remember asking George to look over the car for me as a second pair of eyes.
From what I know, George Paul is an elite auto body craftsman in all respects.
Steve P's buddy was in the "car hobby" and offered  transport to NYC for $450 since he was headed to fall Carlisle anyway. I agreed.
The first Friday of October 1981 the Shelby showed up at my home on a ramp truck.

I'm pretty sure Steve was from Huntsville as I spoke to him personally and was prepared to travel there before being tipped off about the Jackson Miss Labor Day Weeknd show.
(also met Andy Harmon, really nice guy, looked like a bad ass Marine who owned an original 427 Cobra and GT40 at the time).
Funny, also met another great guy, forgot his name who told me "no offense but the GT500 you just bought, that faded dark green
reminds me of Army OD green, don't like it,  spent too much time in Vietnam".
I think the guys who eventually started Semo Mustang were there with a drop dead gorgeous 70 Boss 302.
If you remember Pug Ford,  he was there also. 

I still have the T-shirt from that show and Mark  presented me with the "long distance trophy" for longest distance travelled to show.
Great show and fun weekend.
     
TonyS

True, that scenario is possible, not likely though.
Personally the BS vendors just burn my ... and they can shove it.

Great to see individuals like Scott Fuller offering his lineup of dead on accurate repro parts.
The guys at Dead Nuts On also.

I am only the third owner.
I purchased the car in 1981 from Steve Perry who happened to be the second owner.
Straight up no nonsense truthful individual, and a Huntsville Alabama Police officer.
He gave me a clear description, history and everything mentioned was 100% true.
When I purchased the car it had its original plug wires, shocks, all original suspension, starter, starter solenoid, voltage regulator, drive belts, alternator, radiator, smog etc. I can go on but you get the picture.
And ... 2 original but worn Polyglas F60-15 tires.
Original partially faded paint, black jade.
From my time in the hobby I have found Bob Perkins comments on detailing issues to be dead on accurate in all aspects, both parts and original finishes.
Personally I have a lot of regard for his depth of knowledge.  Again that's just me.
I was never attempting to one up anyone, just stated a fact about my vehicle and I personally believe however you car was delivered that is THE STANDARD for that particular car.

As far as the Shelby/Mustang parts dealer that tried to convince me to buy the wrong fuel cap that story is 100% true. It occured at a Englishtown NJ swap meet back in the late 80's.
He is or was (if he still exists) a NY fast buck BS artist who would do anything to make a sale.
I'm a NY'er (NYC) until recently and honestly was always suspicious doing business with other NY'ers as a significant percentage are BS artists.
I was well aware of the correct gas caps for 1969 Shelbys and just walked away.
Much has been mentioned about differences in Shelby's especially the early cars but later cars must have some differences however minute.
TonyS

No Arguments wanted.
When is pointing out differences considered "looking for a beef".

Just wondering if those who present their products as "exact as Factory installed by AO Smith" have done any research to validate those claims.
I've owned my car since 1981 and it's original/unrestored/never in an accident/no paint work as such I use it as a standard, my standard. Not asking anyone to blindly accept my standard.
Nor do I expect anyone to do so.

I had a long time Mustang/Shelby Long Island NY based parts vendor argue with me at a swap meet almost to the point of nastiness that the gas cap on my 69 GT500 should be the chrome pop off type same as on the 68's if you can believe that. I was told my small non vented weathered steel cap was a "cheap parts store part and you better buy the correct cap".

This hobby is getting ever more expensive and it would be nice for suppliers to be a little more accurate.
Not everyone has access to the best/most accurate info.

I lament the demise of Mustang Monthly and the insights provided by genuine experts like Bob Perkins and several others.

TonyS 
 

All the available repro 69-70 front bumper rubber shields have a mildly rough texture as they are made from fiber
impregnated stock.
The rubber shields on my original/never restored/never in an accident 69 GT500 are smooth.
The rubber has gotten pretty hard with age and there is some breakage but it is nothing like the rough stuff being sold.
There is a rubber supplier in NYC on Canal Street (Canal Rubber) with a mind boggling variety of rubber sheet stock.
My last time at Canal Rubber I scored some pretty close to original p/s hose sponge rubber covering.
Some called it "driver grade" not concours but it was a very good match to my original.
Their stock does change and no guarantee some of what you bought in the past is still available.
I no longer live in NYC (now in PA) but will have to make the trip to see if I can score something that matches my original.
Personally I don't care who says "that is not correct" or "as originally supplied by Ford" I try to get as close as possible to what is original on my car.
TonyS
 

All the available repro 69-70 front bumper rubber shields have a mildly rough texture as they are made from fiber
impregnated stock.
The rubber shields on my original/never restored/never in an accident 69 GT500 are smooth.
The rubber has gotten pretty hard with age and there is some breakage but it is nothing like the rough stuff being sold. 
There is a rubber supplier in NYC on Canal Street (Canal Rubber) with a mind boggling variety of rubber sheet stock.
My last time at Canal Rubber I scored some pretty close to original p/s hose sponge rubber covering.
Some called it "driver grade" not concours but it was a very good match to my original.
I no longer live in NYC (now in PA) but will have to make the trip to see if I can score something that matches my original.
Personally I don't care who says "that is not correct" or "as originally supplied by Ford" I try to get as close as possible to what is original on my car.
TonyS
 

Is Blue Thunder, manufacturer of some of the best aftermarket FE intakes, cyl heads etc. still in business ?

Seems like they may have gone belly up.

Thanks,
TonyS

Hello Matt,

The last Motorcraft starter solenoids I purchased for my '69 were "Hecho en Mexico".
Never had a problem with these.
The newer are Chinese made and haven't installed one yet.
Sad news indeed.
Whats next if Chinese labor gets too expensive, Somalia maybe.

Hello Bob,

Thanks for the reply.
I still have my originals (the second leaf from the bottom broke on the drivers side).

I am using a set of big block 69 Mustang springs that were purchased from Mustangs Unlimited years ago.
Don't resemble originals but the ride height and spring rate were dead on, excellent set of springs.
I'd like to get back to something resembling original because that's just me.
For all the positive publicity the Mustang world (print, online and video) gives Eaton, I find their rotten attitude a bit surprising.   

For those with driver Shelby's does anyone know of a leaf spring supplier who can offer a set of rear leaf springs with the correct size smallest (bottom) leaf? This is the leaf with the stamped Shelby part number.
Eaton just gives a hard time stating to duplicate this leaf (excluding any stamping of course) would be an extra $800+.

Thanks,
TonyS

Brand new Modine copper/brass 2 row core radiator for Fox body Fords.
Has fittings for auto trans.
Multiple applications/years and car lines - 4/6/8 cyl engines.
Modine part# IR 556 CR - you can look it up.
New in box and sitting in my possession since 1989. 
Have original receipt showing $154.00
I'm asking half the 1989 price,  $75.00
Located in central PA 20-30 minutes from Carlisle.
Will be at 2026 Ford Carlisle.
Rather not ship as shipping would be pricy.
TonyS
 
 

Any SAAC members know of knowledgeable classic Mustang shops in south central PA,
especially for wheel alignments ? 
Recently moved from Raleigh NC to Dillsburg PA (which is close to Harrisburg, Carlisle etc.)
No HOA's to deal with busting my chops over imagined disturbance and environmental damage caused by classic vehicles.

Thanks,
TonyS

What about Randy in Texas?
He was supposed to be "THE MAN" when it came to rebuilding steering boxes.

I heard he was always a little difficult to contact and at times refuse new work due to the fact he had plenty to keep him busy. (refused me for this reason)

Don't know if he is still out there.

For driver Shelby's like my 69 GT500 w/PS does anyone have experience with or grapevine info on the new steering boxes offered by Flaming River?
Are they any good?

Thanks,
TonyS