1967 Shelby tail light frames

[1175]

While we are asking all of these questions regarding 67's, does anyone know which approximate number cars had the tail light frames with the hidden studs or recessed screw holes visible from the rear? If I am not mistaken, earlier cars did not have the holes and later ones did. Or was this more of a sporadic thing that was intermixed amongst production? These 67's will always keep us guessing.
thanks for any replies
Jon

[cobreen]

Hi Jon.Here you see what were on # 187 when I bought it.One of them were broken,so I've replaced them with aftermarket frames.Will try to bring them back on later.No holes on this early car,at least.
Freddy

[Bob Gaines]

This is another issue were there is no record of a change over. However from what I and others have observed it was somewhere around # 1500. The change was done because there were many service problems with the studs on the early style breaking off. The later style with the holes that the machine screws went through eliminated that problem. The issue gets murky because the new design was not serviced for very long and because of this created a demand for a trim ring .Tony Branda decided to make the no hole type as that was more cosmetically accepted. So for close to 30 years that has been the only alternative . As mentioned in other posts on other subjects that center around commonly changed items , owners will find that they have a solid trim ring on a late produced car and think it is original.I am sure it could happen but it would be more the exception then the rule. The trim ring with holes is is another item that is perceived as less desirable to have on your car. That is another reason a lot have been changed. I don't think it makes a differece. To me it would be less desirable to have items that didn't fall into production sequence. It is very probable that many 67 Shelbys have had the original trim rings with holes replaced over the years . There are probably as many repro trim rings out there on cars as original because of how fragile the originals were. The repro trim rings have a slightly different shape then the originals and are easy to spot once you study the difference. I will try and post some pictures later.

[shlby66]

I owned '67GT350 #1688 and it had the solid ( no holes ) style of tail light
trim ring. They are fragile and break very easily and the broken stud syndrome usually shows up on disassembly. Even though I have several sets of originals; I elected to use the Branda re-pops as it has more material
to work with and when polished & clear coated, look awsome.
shlby66

[Shelby6t7]

As Bob mentioned, the Branda repops have a different shape to them, the outside corners around the tail light lens have too sharp of an edge as compared to the originals and are easily noticeable by a trained eye.

Now what's interesting is, we all know how fragile and thin the original tail light frames are. Now picture having 6 drill holes in each frame for the external screw type. There is probably less than an 1/8 " of aluminum from the drill hole to the edge of the frame. Talk about holding your breath when installing them, I know I did when I installed mine.

Kenny

[roddster]

The rings can be repaired, but: first off, you're drilling hard steel out of aluminum. The drill bit walks off and then you are still not drilling it out. Ok. Then you decide to walk it off the broke stud on the other side. Eventually, you get the broken stud(s) out. Now the hole is oversized.

So, then you need to take the rings into someone willing to attempt to weld up the hole. It can be done, the rings on my car (#0036) have been repaired this way. And it is hard to tell.
1) the welder has to be good.
2) tip him up front
3) leave them with him so he does not feel pressured
4) ask for no gaurantee, because stuff happens
5) hope for the best.

Oh, and the place that did mine some 15 years ago is no longer in business.

[Shelby~gt350#3000]

Shelby #3000 has holes in the frame as shown below.Back of frame shows Fomoco and 67 part number. Production date of car was 7/21/67