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It was a totaled car in the 1960s.

What PROOF do you have it was a totaled car in the 60s. Everything out there is based on conjecture. Left at the airport - the registered owner would have gotten a notice to pay the bill and pickup the car. Abandoned at a crash site - again notice would be sent to RO pick it up and pay the bill. If either of those had resulted in a lien sale by the tow company Morrison would not have been able to advertise the car for sale. The EVIDENCE is that it existed and was sold as a drivable car in "showroom" condition in 1971 with 10,000+ more miles on it than when Morrison placed the initial ad in 1969 to sell it. I agree it probably doesn't exist today but the loss was not due to Morrison's driving ability.

Just as much as you claim its still out there...

Absolutely agree with the above statement. The car is long gone. It was a total. The insurance company (and the record company) do not want any liabilities. Scrapped and or crushed.

The last time the car was known there was no insurance or record company involvement. It was owned by Ray Wolff and part of his inventory. When and who he sold it to is the mystery.
Did the new owner take the car to AZ - as was rumored. Did the new owner total the car? - no evidence of that. Was the car scrapped? no evidence of that. What can be confirmed by the time CA switched their computer system the car was no longer registered in CA - or it would have been in the computer. That can mean 3 things. Car was intact and sitting unregistered but still titled to new owner in CA. Car had moved out of state - new state would have sent the surrendered CA title to CA for cancellation. Car had been junked in CA or elsewhere and title (in name of current owner - NOT Morrison) surrendered to DMV.
From the time Jim Morrison personally offered the car for sale (purchased by Ray Wolff?) and the last Ray Wolff ad it appears the car had been driven at least 10,000 miles. So totaled doesn't seem to fit.
Nothing lasts in LA - even the Morrison Hotel is gone. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-03/can-the-doors-rock-and-roll-fame-save-the-charred-morrison-hotel-the-world-is-watching
A plaque exists where there office was and a sign by the Laurel Canyon store his girlfriend lived near - Love Street "a store where the creatures meet" was a pretty fitting lyric for LA at the time.

Every thing you said is a 'What IF' scenario. The odds are the car is long gone. It was a totaled car in the 1960s. Probably worth $500-$750. No one cared about a wrecked Shelby back then. I will acknowledge I am wrong until proof shows otherwise.

I believe Brett at Cape Cod Mustang has an original Registration Card of Jim"s for the car.

If the car is ever found, it'll see for big bucks......... huge, huge money.

QSS

Yes.

It is believed that the car was "totaled", within the definition of that insurance term and if so, the insurance company would have paid off the claim and would own the title.

There have been no "witnesses" to have come forward to confirm anything.


Considering that at that time records would have been kept on paper, the likeliness those documents still exist is very unlikely. Even Ford cleans out their own paper records after a set period of time, which really is why SAAC has been able to obtain so many, on their way to the trash bin.

Only time will tell if the bones to this car still exist but if the initial story is accurate, then the cars remains likely were just parted out in a salvage yard since then it would have been just another, less then $100 LA salvage wreck.


Considering how many have been looking and how many in LA have "connections" within the circles a survivor would have traveled in that area, it most likely just slipped through everyone's fingers, insignificantly piece by piece.

So even if someone was able to recover the paper title from the original insurer, without the main part of the chassis to build on, it would just become what SAAC calls an "air car".


Considering the recent discussions of "Bullet", it is a completely new car built on the original serial number. Is that the "real original car"? Personally, I think not but honestly there is no telling what the power of fantasy is in dollars.

I suppose it all depends on how good of a salesman one is?

A buyer is just purchasing a paper "bill of goods".

Absolutely agree with the above statement. The car is long gone. It was a total. The insurance company (and the record company) do not want any liabilities. Scrapped and or crushed.

Here is a long established carburetor shop in Baltimore, Maryland. They have done several for the shop that performs my mechanical work. They are knowledgeable, have reasonable pricing and have produced good results for us, including a Rochester Quadrajet on a 71 429 Mustang. I am certain they can handle the oft troublesome Autolite 4300.

Abel Automotive Service
7403 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 288-9400

https://www.carburetorsrus.com/storepage2552156.aspx

Thanks!

Just heard that C Van Tune had passed away...so sad. Rest in peace my friend, Van.
You will be missed!

Pro tip: Don't take suggestions from someone thats never had one rebuilt and just did an internet search.

I know! The V.I. is the 'expert' lol

4300-D carb.

Can anyone recommend a good carb rebuilder to do my Autolite/Motorcraft 715cfm 4300 carb? Just a proper re-build, not a high dollar resto. Thanks in advance.

I was told that's just the way you "California folks" refer to things... highways are "THE 215", "THE 405" etc    👍

More typical of SoCal - the Other state

No, we say 'Ventura Fwy' 101, 'The Golden State fwy' 5, 'Pasedena fwy', etc.

I live in Vegas, and had owned a '70 GT-500 for 27 years. This is nothing different than any vintage car. First, make sure everything is in good working order. Hoses, belts, cables, etc. The FIRST thing I would do is the cooling system/fan/shroud, thermostat, etc. A good/new battery/alt, and especially the positive and ground wires are upgraded. Install a new mini hi torque starter. Fluids are topped off, and replaced. A good suggestion would be to instal an alum intake: weight, and cooling are the goals. Carb, its your choice. However, Holley's are known leakers, I'd personally would swap out for a good Carter/Edelbrock verson. Why? set it and forget it, and dead nuts reliable. Electronic ign is a good upgrade. Trans, power steering and possible engine oil coolers. New upgraded poly/bushings for the sway bars, KYB shocks. Brakes: Baer or Wilwoods are good examples. Be careful not to go way overboard with all of this...costs and labor/time can get expensive.

Galpin Ford was a big Shelby dealer. Yes, Galpin is still in business. My GT-500 came from them.

Was it Galpinized?
I always buy my X Plan cars from them. No hassle like some dealers and they give you every additional discount/rebate they can find. One time we got there expecting to write the check for the full amount and he said just give me 10 grand and pay it off with the first payment - I got you an extra $1,000 off for financing. Check their inventory online - call my guy (the GM) give him the VIN show up a couple hours later spend 10-15 minutes signing the papers and we're done.

The last 'new' Ford I bought was from Vista Ford, in Woodland Hills. Sorry, but Galpin plays way too many games. My family (and I) did buy from them in the past. I'm sure Beau has made it a better experience since his dad Bert ran the place. My worthless two cents...

Galpin Ford was a big Shelby dealer. Yes, Galpin is still in business. My GT-500 came from them.

Back in the day a lot of magazines would fudge a couple tenths over what the manufacturer (or another magazine) published. Maybe it was the buy our mag we test harder or are better at wringing the max out of it. Then there was the fact that NO ONE ever tested a car right off the line. They were all tuned to the max before they got loaned out.
When Titus did the Hot Rod article on the Dodge Omni v GT350 article the car was well tuned but withing stock specs. After all the hate mail for beating the GT350 we took one to a COCOA Willow event so the haters could see it in action. CS did admit this one had a different tune with a 20 hp boost. He wanted to make sure it couldn't lose.

Exactly! Most test cars were wringers. Just ask (or read about) Jim Wangers...

Personally I don't see erasing the history of Johnny Crawford buying the car from Carroll Shelby himself and turning it over time into the car he wanted to drive, just to turn it into another Wimbledon White Stepford car that IF you show it only gets a cursery glance because it is exactly the same as all the other cars. Support the story, they don't all need to be the same boring rubber stamp.

The tide is turning again gentlemen.

Agreed! Buy it, and enjoy it. Btw, Johnny passed away a couple of years ago. Prob an estate sale...

A stock automatic was in the 15's. A good running 4 speed, 'maybe' high 14s.