Shelby Update:

Jim,

Talk about a thread coming out of hibernation. Does this mean it's still for sale??? If so, perhaps a trip on Ebay is in order. You should still have my number, I'll be happy to assist in any way I can.

Sincerely,

Bill S.

Well, if it is coming out of hibernation , the the market has changed "a bit" since this thread was started. What is the status on the car Jim. As I recall, a lady was trying to sell it after her spuse passed and you were trying to put a value on it for her. Has she had any luck?

Actually, I was just trying to read the old thread and it wouldn't show me the 2nd and 3rd pages, so I added a posting and it came up for me so I could then read the rest of the thread.
However, there IS an update.
Tom Cotter and I have just purchased the car. The owner offered it to us last year, and we declined, mainly, on my part, because of what I thought was a conflict of interest on my part, since I was the one helping value it.
However, after almost a year, Tom and I have just about finished our CSX 2149 project, and having failed to find another original 289 Cobra that needed our help, we decided to find something else, so I called the owner a couple of weeks ago to see what ever happened with the car. They had just sent ads out to sell it but it hadn't been sold, so Tom and I bought it. It resides in my garage currently, and all my children want it. They like it much better than the Cobras--"it's really COOL!"
So I am looking for advice on fixing the "wrong" things and missing parts and advice on where to get parts and photos, articles and books that will help in the restoration. For instance, anyone out there know a good steering wheel restoration shop, or am I better off buying a new one?

Glad to hear it went to a good home. Keep us posted on the progress Jim!

-Patrick

Jim, an acquaintance of mine specializes in "Thoroughbred" restorations of Shelby Mustangs and is a national judge. His site even references steering wheel restoration. This is a sideline for him but he is very active within the Shelby circles here in the south.

www.lamb-chops.com

Yes the Market has changed!! My car is available for $60,000.00 and Rising!! In the photo Gallery for the interested.

Maxwell,
After all this you buy the car?
So all this was to blow smoke up our skirts?

Well if you had all this time to by the car and did not, why are you talking down to Jim. He decided he wanted it so he bought it. .I for one am happy for him and I hope he got a hell of a deal. chuck

To the Big Snake: I am proud that you are man enough admit on this forum to wearing skirts. Is this all the time or only at home? (Just kidding!)
Actually, a fair question. I priced the car to the owner a year ago and they offered to let me buy it then. I refused because I perceived a conflict of interest. Almost 11 months later, my Cobra partner, Tom Cotter, called and asked if the Shelby had been sold. I had not been in contact with the owner for many months, but I called and asked and it turned out they had just submitted an ad to sell it. I asked the price, they told me, and I said I would we would buy it at that price.I didn't re- research the market and they didn't ask me to do so. I didn't write the ad or set the price at that time. I felt the lapse of time and my non-involvement for many months removed the conflict. I paid what I think is a very fair current market value for the car--we didn't get any "steal". However, I think the value of the car will continue to rise and we will come out ahead after some minor restoration(steering wheel needs restoration) and replacing missing and incorrect parts ( an NOS shifter has already been acquired). After the purchase, I registered the car with SAAC. They advised me this one of 10 1968 500 KR fastbacks with 4-speed, red paint, A/C, and tilt wheel. All the documentation match the SAAC records. By the way, these cars drive like battleships with loose rudders! No steering feel whatsoever. But they go like a scalded dog in a straight line!

GT500 steering
 

Jim, Good Purchase! My Car was a steering nightmare as well. I pulled the Steering Box,Power steering Pump, Power slave cylinder, all the Lines and sent everything to Rode's Restoration in Ohio and had it Rebuilt. Much improvement, But still not Cobra like! A Primitive steering design at best. A new Ford Focus has better steering, But just will NEVER be as COOL! Best of Luck with your Driveable investment!!

Interesting comment on the steering... Have never driven a 67/68 for whatever reason. I just drove a friends 65 Fastback fun car the other day that was recently converted to the latest and greatest of rack and pinion, tubular control arms, coilovers, subframe welded in, and Holy Cow!, what a difference. I could not believe it. Amazing, and really fun to drive too. I've considered building a 67 GT500 resto-clone using my motor/trans from my Cobra, and wondering if anyone has tried this modern steering upgrade on a 67/68 Mustang and noticed this same type of results? I would be interested to know... Thanks.

David Dalton and Tout, Please tell me how to contact you. I have some questions about 1968 GT500's, not KR's. I have found another one. Thanks.

Jim
You can reach me at work @ 215 672 8480 or email @cobra400@aol.com

tout

Jim, call 610-534-2944 studio or 610-356-5614 House e-mail is jed@craftech.com anytime before 11:00 pm

Your a good sport max.