feeler: GT350 "R" Model racing aprons

[hollywood43]

Hi. I don't post here very often -- more of a lurker since I unfortunately don't own a Shelby. But I am a true Mustang fanatic. I belong to many other Mustang forums and can provide references as needed.

I have a friend who has been sitting on five 1965 GT350 "R" model racing aprons. My friend owns a race shop and builds/tunes/maintains track cars. He has many super-impressive European race cars in his shop and is extremely knowledgable on engines, chassis and suspension. The mold for the aprons were made from either number 102 or 105 -- he can't remember which one because they had them both at one time. Anyway, his aprons were actually used to create a very popular vendors apon who sells them as "concours". I just checked their website and they're selling their aprons for $305.

I am going over there this evening to look them over and take some pictures. He's looking to sell all five of them and will seperate. I just wanted to put the word out there because I would rather these go to actual Shelby owners instead of being Ebayed. From what I'm told, this is as close as you will be able to get to an original piece. I will talk price with him tonight to find out what he's looking to get out of them but I can say that it will be less then the price mentioned above. Maybe even a further discount if more than one is going to the same address.

He also has a pair of authentic 427 Shelby Automotive valve covers. One of the covers is damaged on the lip where it meets the head. The valve cover is repairable and is authentic. I don't remember what side is damaged but can take pictures of these as well.

Please let me know if there is any interest in these items. I can hook you up directly with the seller -- I am not trying to become a middle man. I am trying to help my friend gain some shop space and we would both like to get these parts into the hands of Shelby owners. He's a former Shelby owner and has a true appreciation for the race cars.

Thanks guys!

[eljimb0]

Hi, And thanks for the info. Do you suppose your friend would be interested in some kind of a trade.. I know where I can get a bunch of Shelby Lamps..
Jimbo

[hollywood43]

I have one of those right next to me on my desk! They're very cool. Especially when you turn the key. When I saw it at the store I had to buy it. My wife was rolling her eyes. When I put it in the bedroom on the nightstand it mysteriously moved into the office on my computer desk. LOL!

I'll run it past him but I think that he's not only trying to downsize his space requirements but also come out with a little bit of money. Let me get all of the information from him tonight, post the pictures and we'll go from there. Thank you for responding!

[hollywood43]

Here's the link to the photos that I took last night:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/brongi...giel/my_photos

After a lot of talking, this is what I found out:

- 4 aprons left. One was spoken for by a friend of his.
- 2 aprons are new. Out of the 2 new aprons, 1 is a lightweight and the other is a heavyweight concours. They are both from the concours mold.
- The new heavyweight apron had some chips on the bottom edge (can be seen in picture). Not a big deal since all fiberglass requires rework for fitment and paint.
- 2 aprons are slightly used. They were not pulled down from the loft yet so I don't have pictures of them. I was told that one has a crack in it that would be an easy repair. That one is white primer. The other, which is in good condition is in gray primer. Both used aprons are heavyweight concours.

Now the lightweight apron is probably half the weight of the other one. Those race guys are always looking to do it lighter. We do a lot of body work for his race cars so I have first-hand experience! All aprons have tapered cones and a locator indention for installing the turn signals.

I nosed around a little bit more and did some talking. He had a 289 laying there so I asked about it. He mentioned that it was in his Shelby but it wasn't the original engine. It does have the C6AE Hi-Po heads and a roller cam. The block looks to be in excellent condition. I took a picture of it as well. He is one heck of an engine builder so I imagine that it runs very well. He believed the date code to be 1966 but I would have to check if somebody was interested in it.

Then I asked more about the valve covers. The 427 covers are Shelby Automotive "LeMans" covers. Then he also said that he has two good sets of Shelby Automotive (not Cobra) 289 valve covers. I asked him to dig them up for me so that I can take pictures.

As for the aprons, here's the price breakdown:

- New heavyweight concours nose $200
- New lightweight concours nose $175
- Used heavyweight conours nose (no damage) $175
- Used heavyweight concours nose (with repairable crack) $150

Please let me know if there is any interest in any of the parts. I will get pictures and prices on the engine and valve covers if anybody is interested. Thanks guys!

[carv]

Find out more about the 289. I might be interested.

Thanks
Carville

[hollywood43]

Hi. Sounds good. I plan to be out there this evening. I will ask for more information about it. Thank you.