early 67 gt350 grille hardware

[2dragpac500converts]

Do any of you early 67 owners have this type of hardware attaching the grille across the center support? The photo is what came off of mine.Just want to make sure before i bolt it in.


chris

[roddster]

According to the judges, no. No square nuts. I'll be posting some photos of my tail light sockets in the next couple of days, I'll photo the grill hardware too.

[2dragpac500converts]

What does yours have? This car was very orig. and had never been hit in the frt. Still has all the orig front fiberglass and unique early stuff. All of my wiring is all orig aswell. Were you refering to the wiring in the back and how it was attached with taillights when you said sockets?

[roddster]

About your car: I know how you feel. Seems to me, especially on the very early cars, assembly hardware, processes was a crap shoot. Plus, who knows if one particular hard headed worker wanted to only install stuff "his way" and the next guy did it another way. Seemed to level out on the later cars. After all, the boss was a little hard headed too.
It's all 1/4-20 threaded with the appropriate sized flat washers. The nuts that hold the grill, the ones you install from the front and below through the grill opening are those Ny-lock type nuts. Kind of rounded with the anti-rattle-off nylon insert in them.
Anyway, shown in the photos is what is accepted by the best Concours judges in the business, SAAC & MCA.

Also, I posted about my tail light sockets at that other Shelby website. It's a hoot.

[patty.dilabio]

Hi to all,
This is a very good example of what was going on during the beginning of the 67 production run.When you look at the amount of time it involved to assemble the 1 piece grille and its surroundings,it is little wonder they needed to streamline the process for quicker production.That being said....If you have photographed the car prior to restoration,and it was built this way-it should go back together the same way.This falls into the preservation side of keeping things historically correct.Most of the judges need some kind of proof,and are well versed in exceptions.....which really explains any car produced with a 1 piece grille,imho.It is really only nuts and bolts-so you can revisit it if you must,down the road.
Correct me if I'm wrong,but is 0018 the first 67 that was built in white? That really defines EARLY in my book.
Regards P.D.

[2dragpac500converts]

I have been told that even though my car is 0018 it was the first one to roll across the assembly line.

[Bob Gaines]

Originally Posted by 2dragpac500converts

I have been told that even though my car is 0018 it was the first one to roll across the assembly line.

Possibly a lower Ford sequential number from the Ford assemblyline but not the SA assemblyline . The Shelby American assemblyline and the Shelby assigned sequential number is the one that counts in regards to Shelby production ,otherwise the reason for a sequential numbering system would be meaningless. Bob

[2dragpac500converts]

What do you think I should do about the grille hardware? Use hex nut and bolt or clean up and use the pan head and square nut that was with the grille?

[patty.dilabio]

Hi to 0018,
I would put it back together exactly as it was,and show the pictures with the car when you display it.If it is this small a detail I doubt a ton of points will be deducted,and you can change it later.
The registry gives the cars a different order,(by date).This is common and must have been the way things were done,(and are still done by Shelby.)This is also why dates are so important.If you look in the registry it shows that the first few cars were produced by color 1 green 1 white for the first few days of production.Once a pattern or rhythm was established they completed several cars/colors at once.The goal was to have cars ready and shipped to Ford/Shelby dealers for November.They were close to that goal,and were able to offer several colors to choose from,with the promise that the G.T.500 was soon to follow.All this to say IMHO that the first few weeks of car production was a real" handbuilt "type of learning what works as you put each car together scenario.This explains why we find so many minute details that are different on these cars.
Hope this helps
P.D.

[rcgt350]

In regards to cars completed approx. the first week of production, this is what I have come up with.

Oct19/66 #0003 G
Wednesday #0018 W

Oct20/66 #0002 G
Thursday #0019 W

Oct26/66 #0024 G
Wednesday #0031 W

Oct28/66 #0007 G
Friday

I have been using this as a guide to put together production comparsions.
What are your thoughts on this? Does the date completed supersede the Shelby VIN?
Randy

[Bob Gaines]

Originally Posted by rcgt350

In regards to cars completed approx. the first week of production, this is what I have come up with.

Oct19/66 #0003 G
Wednesday #0018 W

Oct20/66 #0002 G
Thursday #0019 W

Oct26/66 #0024 G
Wednesday #0031 W

Oct28/66 #0007 G
Friday

I have been using this as a guide to put together production comparsions.
What are your thoughts on this? Does the date completed supersede the Shelby VIN?
Randy

Yes, you have to go by the numbering system IMHO otherwise the whole system becomes irrelevant . I can in vision scenarios where cars started first and for what ever reason -broken ,missing or improved part for instance that held a car up from being finished . There are somethings that we will never know about production. You can split hairs until the cows come in . The official position of Ford Motor Company and Shelby American then as well as now rest on the numbering system. Bob

[patty.dilabio]

Hi all,
This is very interesting stuff,and if nothing else it proves how different our early cars are.The numbering sequence is a completely different subject,which we should cover in depth on a fresh thread.And a few others may start soon after.
Back to the grille hardware question,my vote is already cast.
Anyone else like 0004 have any input?
P.D.

[Bob Gaines]

Here are a few pics of the hardware. The screws across the front are countersunk with a beauty ring there is a rubber grommet throught he hole that the beauty ring sets on so as not to eat into the paint.Bob

[Bob Gaines]

RWB were the markings on the license plate brket hardware generally used as well as a lot of other generic grade 5 hardware that SA used.Bob

[Bob Gaines]

The center support adjustable bracket has a bolt through it that has a flat washer on one side and the other is flat washer -star lock washer -nut. Bob

[roddster]

Bob, safety note here: take a razor blade and trim those tie-wrap ends flush or you'll cut your arm off brushing against then. Wowzers, how I know.

[2dragpac500converts]

My front glass had no holes in it to go down thru the paint like yours.

chris

[Bob Gaines]

If you have the original license plate bracket check for holes in it. Bob