Brent Bishop
Howell, Michigan
May 15, 2014
Evaluation of 1968 Shelby GT350 Fastback
Vehicle Identification Number: 8T02J192420-02103
Report Number: 14-2103
2014 Shelby American World Registry Information:
8T02J192420-02103 Shipped to Wilmington Ford (Wilmington, MA) 4/26/68. On 5/10/68 the car was purchased by Kenneth Reynolds (Wellesley, MA). On 6/21/68 the car was running rough at high speeds and the rear taillights were not working. Mileage was 2,466. On 7/12/68 the car was brought to Downey Auto Center (Downey, CA) for replacement of a California emissions part. Mileage was 7,199. On 8/19/68 there was a short in the door lights. Mileage was 11,991. Subsequent dealer history not known. Advertised for sale in the Snakebite Bulletin #50 (see attachment) 9/94; previous owners: Lee Telke (Plantsville, CT) Brent Bishop (Howell, MI) ’04.
I inspected paperwork that accompanied the vehicle. The Ford Record/ Marti Report matches the vehicle information. The vehicle’s has two original build sheets (one of which is still attached to the body of the car). I examined additional information available such as Warranty Claims documents and shipping ledger. I found these documents to be in order and matching the vehicle. The original owner’s manual is in the glove box and contains the original owner’s name and the selling dealer. The present owner has done an excellent job of collecting paperwork and documentation associated with this vehicle.
I contacted the Shelby American Automobile Club representative, Vinny Liska and checked for information regarding this vehicle. No additional information was available.
Identification tags and serial numbers:
I began by checking the body, buck tag also known as the build tag. This small, metal tag is attached to the body by one sheet metal screw near the right hood hinge. I examined the tag and noticed the Ford serial number matched the serial number in the 2014 Shelby American World Registry. All codes and data on the tag matched the current configuration of the vehicle. It is my opinion, based on my experience with tags; there is a very high probability that this tag is original.
I checked the Shelby Automotive VIN tag located under the hood on the driver’s side of the vehicle. It is my opinion, based on my experience with tags; there is a very high probability that this tag is original. The condition and formatting of this tag are consistent with original tags I have observed.
I checked the vehicle’s VIN plate located on the passenger side, lower corner of the windshield. It is my opinion, based on my experience with tags; there is a very high probability that this tag is original. The condition and formatting of this tag are consistent with original tags I have observed.
I examined the door (warranty) tag. This tag is located on the rear face of the driver’s door. The following information was found on the tag:
8T02J192420-02103
63B R 5AA 02D 8D2816- 5
It is my opinion, based on my experience with tags; there is a high probability that this tag is original. The condition and formatting of this tag are somewhat unique, as this car has no code for the rear axle. Based on the paperwork and the overall condition of the vehicle there is no reason to believe this tag is not original. The axle code would be “1”. This code relates to the 3.89:1 conventional rear axle. Normally, this code would appear on the warranty plate.]
Physical Examination of the Unibody:
The unibody is the basic structure of the vehicle. Examination of the body was conducted to determine what repairs and modifications have been made.
I began by examining the underbody of the vehicle. The underbody was sound in excellent condition. It matched the west coast history of the vehicle and showed no signs of repair.
I noted no damage to the rear frame rail extensions.
I checked the rear tail light panel inside the trunk. The tail light is modified in a manner that is consistent with the procedures used by AO Smith. AO Smith was the original manufacturer of the 1968 Shelbys. The car does have three tail light modification plates per side.
I checked the rear quarter panels and was unable to find any indications of repairs. The style of the panels is consistent with a mid-to late built 1968 Shelby. The trunk floors appeared to be in excellent condition.
I did note the lower air scoops had no screws in either side. I believe these scoops were replaced at one time. The repairs were done in an acceptable manner.
The doors on the vehicle are in excellent shape. Both doors appear to be deluxe 1968 Shelby/Mustang doors.
I noted the vehicle’s A-pillars (windshield pillars) had no pillar pads. The absence of these pads is consistent with the codes found on the vehicle and is correct for a late vehicle.
An examination of the firewall indicated no abnormalities. The firewall is consistent with those found on other cars built at this time. The proper modifications were made for Shelby unique items.
The right, rear, inner fender apron appeared to be a 1968 factory apron. The panel did contain the two “mystery holes” normally found on most 1968 Shelbys. A car alarm horn was mounted in this area.
The right shock tower appeared to be correct and in excellent condition. I was unable to find and damage on panel/tower overlaps. No shock tower bracing present. Not all 1968 Shelbys received this bracing and it would be considered atypical on a small block. Additionally an original factory paint code is written on the shock tower in crayon.
The front right, inner, fender apron appeared to be an original panel. The panel contained the factory; tilt wheel vacuum canister holes below the battery. The solenoid, starter solenoid and Shelby ammeter junction block were properly located on the panel. I did not note the vehicle’s serial on this panel.
The left, rear, inner fender apron appears to be a original panel based on the nut inserts for the hood hinges.
The left shock tower appeared to be correct and in excellent condition.
The left, front, inner fender apron appeared to be correct and an original Ford panel. The vehicle’s Shelby VIN number plate was not removed.
The radiator support appeared to be original. The panel did contain the factory power steering oil cooler line holes. The panel was clean and in excellent condition.
The front fenders are both original Ford fenders. They are in very good condition and have the original style date codes. The attaching hardware was vintage and correct for an late vehicle.
All panels appear to be in good, overall condition. The front frame rails of the vehicle appeared solid and in excellent condition. . I noted the vehicle had two forward torque boxes. This is consistent with a 1968 unibody construction
Exterior of vehicle:
The overall appearance is nice. The paint is shiny and high gloss. The color is accurate with the correct over spray in all areas. There a few small areas were the paint was touched up, but these do not significantly detract from the vehicle. The rear deck lid and the rear end caps were repainted from a previous collision.
The hood appears to be an original Shelby hood. The fiberglass was in excellent condition with very good fit and finish. The hood did have the factory blackout decals. Factory hand written notations were also located on the hood in various locations.
The lower, front valence is a factory part. The front headlight buckets are original Shelby parts. The parts are injection molded plastic. The front SHELBY letter panel is original part.
The bumpers appear to be original parts and are in good shape. The front bumper bracket outer extensions appear to be Shelby items. Additionally, the small outer brackets located on the corners of the front bumpers are correct. Shelbys use a unique bumper bracket at this location.
The window glass in the car is original with all dates falling before the build date of the vehicle. The front windshield is original to the vehicle.
The antenna was properly located on the left, rear quarter panel and appeared to be a high quality replacement or an original. I was able to observe the Shelby unique extension cable for the antenna.
All stainless trim moldings appear to be original and in good shape.
All lights were in good working order. The Lucas fog lights worked properly and were in good condition.
The vehicle has steel wheels, after market tires and original Shelby hubcaps. All were in good shape.
The rear deck lid (trunk), end caps and tail lamp panel appear to be original Shelby parts.
The stripes and decals were proper for a GT350. I would estimate more than 80% of the paint on this vehicle to be original factory paint. All Shelby unique fiberglass is original.
Trunk area:
The spare tire was present. The rim was a 15x6 inch rim with an aftermarket tire. The rim was dated significantly before the build of the car and may have been replaced.
The trunk mat was original to the car. The trunk mat is a speckled burtex. The trunk board on the left side of the trunk was present. The cardboard tail light covers were present.
I did note the proper jack and jack handle.
The trunk wiring appears to be original 1968 wiring.
Engine Assembly:
The air cleaner assembly appeared to be correct and original to the vehicle. I noted the original COBRA oval air cleaner retained the original mounting bracket.
The intake manifold was an aluminum “S2MS” 4 barrel 302. The carburetor was a Holley S8MS of the correct vintage and appeared original to the vehicle.
The engine exhaust manifolds appeared to be the correct cast iron 302 manifolds.
I inspected the engine block. I was unable to determine the date code of the casting. It is located behind the starter motor. I did note a derivative serial number that matched the vehicle on the rear of the engine. The engine mount insulators appeared to be original and slightly worn. The assembly date on the engine block read “8DF3”
The oil pressure sender was the correct Stewart Warner type with a rubber boot. The wiring for the sender appeared to be original.
The Shelby GT350 / 4 speed was originally equipped with a Thermactor pollution control system. This system appears to have been replaced with a 1967 Ford emissions system very early in the car’s history. No explanation for this change is available at this time. Personally, I have not seen this type of system installed on another 1968 Shelby.
Engine Compartment / Electrical:
The hood springs appeared to be original Ford equipment with the correct sized hood springs. The export brace is an original production part.
The hood latch was correct and attached with the correct hardware.
The brake booster appeared to be the correct Ford booster. The brake master cylinder are original. Original covers were painted black.
The windshield washer bottle was an original 1968 style bottle. The bottle was in good condition.
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The shock tower brackets were the correct “heavy duty suspension” type and retain original paint identification markings.
The vehicle had an aftermarket battery. The battery tray was in good condition.
The original heater motor was present.
An original Ford distributor was present but I was unable to see the identification numbers on it. The car had an electronic ignition module installed.
The horns appeared to be correct.
The fuel tank and fuel lines appeared to be original and untouched.
The original C8ZE-E1 (302 4spd trans) radiator was present. Radiator hoses were aftermarket, but utilized the correct clamps. The clutch fan assembly appeared to be the original. The radiator shroud was a Ford production part.
Transmission / Rear Axle:
The identification tag on the transmission was not checked.
The driveshaft appeared to be a stock driveshaft.
The rear axle appears to be original to the car. The original axle for this vehicle should be 3.89:1 conventional.
Suspension and exhaust:
Front suspension components were original equipment. The shock absorbers have been replaced.
Upper Control arms, Lower control arms, inner tie rods, and outer tie rods appeared to be originals. The front and rear shock absorbers were after market replacements.
The rear leaf springs appeared to be originals.
The exhaust pipes were rusty and appeared to have been fabricated from aftermarket parts. The vehicle does not retain the original exhaust. The one exception being the original extensions were clamped to the tail pipe.
Interior of the Vehicle:
The interior of the vehicle is a deluxe Mustang interior. The color of all plastic black parts is semi-gloss black. The seats are the proper “comfort weave” material and are original. They are in excellent condition. The rear, folding seat was intact and in very good shape.
The door panels are in excellent condition and appear to be originals. The door jambs show evidence of the holes for the deluxe wiring and tilt wiring. The weather-stripping is in good condition. The kick panels were in fair condition.
The metal dash was painted with the correct charcoal paint. The gauges were correct for a 1968 GT350. The dash pad was in good condition. The dash bezel and the panels across the dash were in fair shape.
The carpet is the original.
The roll bar appears to be a factory 1968 roll. The inertia reel seat belts are intact and carry the correct Hamill labels. The seat belts are all correct and carry the correct 1968 Shelby emblems and tags.
The console appears to be original and in good overall condition. The console lid is in good condition and appears to be original. The correct Stewart Warner “green circle” gauges are present in the proper locations. The wiring for the gauges appears to be original Shelby unique parts.
The steering column is the correct 1968 Mustang tilt steering column. The tilt column was functional. The steering wheel was wrapped in a rubber cover.
The main wiring harness appeared to be in good overall condition and original to the vehicle. The heater box was intact and appeared to be in good overall shape.
The rear interior panels appeared to be original and in good condition without speaker holes. The sun visors were in good shape. The radio was the correct Philco Am radio.
Summary:
The vehicle was inspected by Shelby American Automobile Club judges, Mike Shally, Rodney Harrold, Tim Lea, Chris Thauberger and Peter Disher. These individuals have over 100 years of combined experience inspecting 1968 Shelbys.
Overall this is vehicle is well maintained and would be considered a “survivor” by most definitions. A survivor is a vehicle which has not been changed significantly since its original purchase. Regular maintenance is acceptable, but restoration is not covered by the definition. The present owner has done an excellent job of maintaining the vehicle and maintaining its originality. Only minor changes have been made and missing items are due to regular maintenance (shocks, belts, hoses, tires, exhaust)
I would place the value of this vehicle approximately 25% higher than an original 1968 GT350 in good drivable condition. The value of this vehicle in today’s market should be in the $90,000-$95,000 range.
Recommendations: Continue to preserve the car in its present state. Try to contact original owner for insight on the car’s history. Check both Massachusetts and California.
Try to find original assembly line parts to replace those items missing from normal maintenance. These include filters, tires, shocks, hoses, belts, 1968 Thermactor pollution controls and exhaust. Original tires should not be driven on, but merely kept for show. Reproduction tires would be a lower cost alternative for shows, if you desire to drive the car.
