Export braces

[Kapracing]

I'm trying to find an export brace to put on my GT350. I purchased an original from an older gentleman that use to restore/modify them back in the eighties. He could not recall what year it came off of but was 💯 positive it is real.
 #1 Can anyone tell me what year it is I have?
#2 would this be considered correct/incorrect on my 68 GT350?
Thanks

[Bob Gaines]

I'm trying to find an export brace to put on my GT350. I purchased an original from an older gentleman that use to restore/modify them back in the eighties. He could not recall what year it came off of but was 💯 positive it is real.
 #1 Can anyone tell me what year it is I have?
#2 would this be considered correct/incorrect on my 68 GT350?
Thanks

You don't want that one.Yes it most likely genuine however someone has modified for a different bolt pattern. Wide spaced is for 65/66 and narrow spaced is for 67/68 Shelby's. They either took a narrow spaced one and modified it to fit wide spaced 65/66 or took a wide spaced one and modified it to fit narrow spaced 67/68. Regardless they never were fitted on the cars from the factory with two bolt patterns. That export brace would be points deducted in concours.

[TA Coupe]

It would not be correct for any year as it has been modified to have both bolt patterns.

    Roy

[Coralsnake]

Weld up the holes and use it

[gt350shelb]

Looks like an early equal spaced with extra holes .  1965 1966/ By the time your done fixing it it would be smarter to buy a good one . for a 68

[Kapracing]

Ok just curious on this post from Concours Mustang forum. Remember guys I'm just trying to learn here, so if you don't mind explaining what I found here concerning the export braces with dual patterns.

https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=27419.0

[Bob Gaines]

Ok just curious on this post from Concours Mustang forum. Remember guys I'm just trying to learn here, so if you don't mind explaining what I found here concerning the export braces with dual patterns.

https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=27419.0

Duel pattern never came on a Shelby from the factory. Those are examples of modified braces. The different size holes is one indication that it was not factory done.

[Coralsnake]

The 1968 export brace only has four holes at the cowl

[J_Speegle]

Do you happen to know where the export brace came from. a car?

We've discussed this elsewhere and though I would agree with others for use on a 68 and to not use it in its current configuration or to make the extra holes go away.  But IMO there seems to be evidence that some cars (Mustangs and possibly Shelby's) did receive these at one point. Possibly using up earlier ones for exports on 67's or some reason like that.   

See you found that thread.

That is why where this one came from is important or to explain it as a owner modified part.

[Kapracing]

Ok just curious on this post from Concours Mustang forum. Remember guys I'm just trying to learn here, so if you don't mind explaining what I found here concerning the export braces with dual patterns.

https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=27419.0

Duel pattern never came on a Shelby from the factory. Those are examples of modified braces. The different size holes is one indication that it was not factory done.

Thank you for the clarification 😎

[Kapracing]

The 1968 export brace only has four holes at the cowl

Thank you 😎

[Bob Gaines]

If an owner made an extraordinary claim that a modified brace was factory on a given car then extraordinary proof would be a reasonable expectation .

[Kapracing]

Do you happen to know where the export brace came from. a car?

We've discussed this elsewhere and though I would agree with others for use on a 68 and to not use it in its current configuration or to make the extra holes go away.  But IMO there seems to be evidence that some cars (Mustangs and possibly Shelby's) did receive these at one point. Possibly using up earlier ones for exports on 67's or some reason like that.   

See you found that thread.

That is why where this one came from is important or to explain it as a owner modified part.

Guy just turned 100 years old last week. He could not remember the year but was adamant it was from a real Shelby. That's why he had saved it all these years. I've bought buddy bar valve covers Shelby oil pan and air cleaners from him in the past. All legit parts. Some days he's sharp as a tack others not so much...

[Bob Gaines]

Do you happen to know where the export brace came from. a car?

We've discussed this elsewhere and though I would agree with others for use on a 68 and to not use it in its current configuration or to make the extra holes go away.  But IMO there seems to be evidence that some cars (Mustangs and possibly Shelby's) did receive these at one point. Possibly using up earlier ones for exports on 67's or some reason like that.   

See you found that thread.

That is why where this one came from is important or to explain it as a owner modified part.

Guy just turned 100 years old last week. He could not remember the year but was adamant it was from a real Shelby. That's why he had saved it all these years. I've bought buddy bar valve covers Shelby oil pan and air cleaners from him in the past. All legit parts. Some days he's sharp as a tack others not so much...

One thing to consider is just because a part comes off of a Shelby doesn't necessarily mean that it was on that Shelby from the factory

[gt350shelb]

Rarely will i  go against the Speegle  word ......But  1967 /1968   "shelbys " would use same wide spaced  export brace   so even if it was early 68 it would have the 68 67  style.   the 65 66 style is really not  a direct fit without  the cowl brace  and equal spaced holes .  but the 67 68 will fit back to 65 with wide spacing and no cowl brace .  It would have made more sense to drill the cowl on the cars with even spaced export rather than the export brace.