Production Orders

[S7MS427]

For '65 and '66 GT350s, did SAI use a production order similar to the '67 builds? If so, are those available? Thanks.

[Bob Gaines]

For '65 and '66 GT350s, did SAI use a production order similar to the '67 builds? If so, are those available? Thanks.

If you mean DSO sheets then yes but they are extremely rare. They were seldom left in the cars like the 67 models.

[S7MS427]

Nope, the reference document I'm talking about is a single sheet of paper that is titled "1967 GT 350 / GT 500 MUSTANG PRODUCTION ORDER," NOT the DSO sheets. I'm wondering if a similar document was used for the '65 & '66 cars.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Probably not. SA was a disorganized mess. Production was a problem from day 1. The 65/6 cars really only had a 2-3 options. Ford sent their engineers there to try and improve the assembly line. The "production order" sounds like a Ford idea to tell the line what to put on each car.

[J_Speegle]

For '65 and '66 GT350s, did SAI use a production order similar to the '67 builds? If so, are those available? Thanks.

Are you asking about the base form not filled out  or the one that match some owners cars original or copy of the original?  If last one then last one contact Dave Mathews the guy in charge of the clubs records, registry and other details.

Good luck

The form he's referring - but either blank or a copy of original

[S7MS427]

Jeff,

This is in regards to the construction of the 1965 and 1966 cars. My question is, was a version of the form that you show for the 1967 cars also used for the 1965 and/or 1966 cars? D. Mathews would not be of any help in this regard as he deals exclusively with the 1967 cars. Just trying to find out how far back (if at all) the use of this document extends. Again this is NOT a question regarding the 1967 cars. This is a question to aid my understanding of what paperwork was used to order the flow of 1965 and 1966 GT350s. I may have to directly ask Howard on this. Unfortunately, he doesn't post here very often...

[CharlesTurner]

SA placed bulk special orders to the San Jose assembly plant several times during '65 and '66 production years.  The first 3 cars were 2 orders (1 street car, 2 cars with specific deleted to be built as competition models).  Then there was the big order for the next 110 cars delivered to Venice in late Dec '64.  That included 2 orders: 15 comp builds and 90 street cars.  Those orders were modified from the first orders.  The next orders were placed for the next 100 cars, which would be delivered to LAX towards the end of March '65, another 100 cars.  Those orders were modified from the December orders.  Then there were subsequent orders. 

Howard would know better as to what changes were made to each bulk order.  I have copies of a couple of them.  They mostly note specific things like the SJ plant installing tires provided.  At some point there was an 'A' and 'B' base package defined which they referenced and then changes from those.

[J_Speegle]

Jeff,

This is in regards to the construction of the 1965 and 1966 cars. My question is, was a version of the form that you show for the 1967 cars also used for the 1965 and/or 1966 cars? D. Mathews would not be of any help in this regard as he deals exclusively with the 1967 cars. Just trying to find out how far back (if at all) the use of this document extends. Again this is NOT a question regarding.......................

Thanks - Sorry I was posting one to show the sheet you mentioned in the original post and your reply #2

"production order similar to the '67 builds?"

"Nope, the reference document I'm talking about is a single sheet of paper that is titled "1967 GT 350 / GT 500 MUSTANG PRODUCTION ORDER," NOT the DSO sheets. I'm wondering if a similar document was used for the '65 & '66 cars.


Could this be what your looking for Shelby American Order Form?

[S7MS427]

Could this be what your looking for Shelby American Order Form?

Jeff,

That looks pretty close and might show the evolution from one form to the next. I wouldn't think that there would be another similar document, but who knows? Do you have any that are filled out? Like I said, I'm trying to understand how the production process differed from year to year. I'd like to see scans of as many as you might have that are filled out.

SA placed bulk special orders to the San Jose assembly plant several times during '65 and '66 production years.  The first 3 cars were 2 orders (1 street car, 2 cars with specific deleted to be built as competition models).  Then there was the big order for the next 110 cars delivered to Venice in late Dec '64.  That included 2 orders: 15 comp builds and 90 street cars.  Those orders were modified from the first orders.  The next orders were placed for the next 100 cars, which would be delivered to LAX towards the end of March '65, another 100 cars.  Those orders were modified from the December orders.  Then there were subsequent orders. 

Howard would know better as to what changes were made to each bulk order.  I have copies of a couple of them.  They mostly note specific things like the SJ plant installing tires provided.  At some point there was an 'A' and 'B' base package defined which they referenced and then changes from those.

Charles,

Wow, now you've really got my interest. I'm fascinated by the process. Coming from an engineering background that also dealt with the production of aircraft, I note some similarities between that subject and controlling the final configuration of the cars as they were shipped.

Would you be willing to share scans? Same reason as stated above. I'm also looking for copies of any DSO sheets anyone might have so I can see how the package code as constructed.

[FL SAAC]

For '65 and '66 GT350s, did SAI use a production order similar to the '67 builds? If so, are those available? Thanks.

For the 1966 black and gold cars, was it the same ordering process as the regular GT350?

Who originated the order Hertz to Ford to Shelby?

Or .....

[98SVT - was 06GT]

For the 1966 black and gold cars, was it the same ordering process as the regular GT350?

Who originated the order Hertz to Ford to Shelby?

Or .....

Only 1 order for those - 1,000 units black, gold LeMans stripes, auto, magnum wheels. Hertz bought the cars from SA. SA was the manufacturer. SA ordered the KD cars from Ford. The production problems account for the other colors. Hertz wanted cars - SA was slow - CS snake oiled them into taking some in stock colors to speed up the delivery.
Now - the SA cars went back to Ford dealers for resale. What was the agreement/process for that. The Hertz contracts then had a buyback clause with a set value. This was before Hertz opened their own dealers.

[J_Speegle]

Jeff,

That looks pretty close and might show the evolution from one form to the next. I wouldn't think that there would be another similar document, but who knows? Do you have any that are filled out? Like I said, I'm trying to understand how the production process differed from year to year. I'd like to see scans of as many as you might have that are filled out.

Really not a lot of information contained on the form it's self. Some typed - some hand written. Plus not many options/choices in 66


Remember these were Shelby forms not ones used for or at San Jose. So any relationship to production process would be to the alterations done once Shelby got the Mustangs. Not certain how this one form was created, when it was created (during the process) and how it related to an order from a dealership for example.

At San Jose those orders were handled much the same as any special orders and similar to promotions and large orders (built at different times - not all at once) like High Country Specials, large bus, truck or taxi orders they received at the plant.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

This appears to be just a dealer order form (as it states on the bottom line). Note it says TO: Shelby American Inc.
I think any formal 65/6 production form did not exist. An order came in and the lot boy was told to go get X color car. When it started down the line there may have been a copy of the order stuck under a windshield wiper or some code for options was written in grease pencil on the glass. But no photos have surfaced showing either. Are any people left who worked on the line day to day? In any case once it left the line there was no reason to retain the build options - they were noted on the invoice SA sent to the dealer.

[J_Speegle]

This appears to be just a dealer order form (as it states on the bottom line). Note it says TO: Shelby American Inc.
I think any formal 65/6 production form did not exist. An order came in and the lot boy was told to go get X color car. When it started down the line there may have been a copy of the order stuck under a windshield wiper or some code for options was written in grease pencil on the glass. But no photos have surfaced showing either.

Yes pretty straight forward. To: SA, written and provided by SA and for the Sales Department as stated on the form.

- We do have pictures of 66's with 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper on the passenger windshield attached to the insides like we see used during 67 production at SA. These are seen on cars before the conversion (white cars) sitting out behind the buildings but on the completed cars in pictures I've seen or have copies of.

- Now pictures taken of the line, within a group of what appears to be Hertz or very dark  colored cars there is what appears to be a different sheet place on the outside of the windshield in the center under the drivers side wiper in what we've referred to as the French Film.

- In other shots you can still see that paper in the same place on finished 66's in both white and other colors.

- In addition, in some of the pictures of completed early (carry overs) you can see another 8.5 x 11 sheet attached to the windshield on the interior side on cars being transported by truck out of SA. This may or may not have been a staged picture so the location and details about this piece of paper may not apply or be the norm as to how cars left the property by truck.

- In other shots similar or same is seen on Cobra windshields but not on comp cars in the same area like TransAm cars being converted

- Since the pages mentioned in the observations above are a different size than that of the production form I posted they are not the same. IMO

Are any people left who worked on the line day to day? In any case once it left the line there was no reason to retain the build options - they were noted on the invoice SA sent to the dealer.

Not sure how many that worked SA line are still around - know we listened to one at SAAC 50 on evening is a room in the hotel.

As for San Jose workers - still running across them ever so often. Unfortunately many have left us and most that remain worked in the decades after our cars were built there. But there are still a few.

[Road Reptile]

Hi Roy and all,
The book by Chuck Cantwell & Greg Kolasa paints a good picture of what the "Production"
Process was set up like during the airport years. From what we know it was able to meet the small market for the first year,and as was mentioned in another post the Hertz contract really saved the second year profits due to Ford's involvement in the deal. It mentions several production troubles that prevented sales like the lack of certain parts from suppliers. Hoods and wheels mentioned as major setbacks. Another thing to consider is how
They did the car in 66. It was so much simpler in 66 vrs. 65. Howard should be contacted.
When it involves 65 & 66 cars he is "THE MAN"
R.R.