Hey guys,
I'm trying to dig into the 10 Shelby convertibles that were loaned or owned by Playboy in 1968. From what I've read, all 10 cars were at the Grand opening parade in Lake Geneva in May 1968. I have some letters from Playboy to Shelby discussing the cars and their involvement at the resort.
Does anyone have any photographs of the parade or anything showing the 68 convertibles? I've looked everyone online and even contacted the Lake Geneva news and no luck.
Any help or input is appreciated.
Thanks
Matt
I used to have a Photo of the Playboy mansion with a lot of Black 68 Shelby Convertibles but can't find it now.
That would be amazing. I've got the black 350 vert that was one of the 10.
Thanks
I will take "things that don't exist" for $50, Alex ;)
If you come up with that in the next two weeks, I will pay you the $50
🤪
I'm in for that "DAILY DOUBLE"!
would be great after all these years!
Quote from: mtdubvee on February 15, 2023, 12:47:42 PM
.... I've got the black 350 vert that was one of the 10.
Thanks
Is this the same car?
- https://youtu.be/hfF9ZIUVTjY (https://youtu.be/hfF9ZIUVTjY)
- https://youtu.be/30WDL6C3XVo (https://youtu.be/30WDL6C3XVo)
Quote from: Coralsnake on February 15, 2023, 01:22:55 PM
I will take "things that don't exist" for $50, Alex ;)
If you come up with that in the next two weeks, I will pay you the $50
🤪
😂
Yes same car
Yes same car. Making some well needed changes at the moment. Engine is out for detailing etc.
Quote from: mtdubvee on February 15, 2023, 07:24:37 AM
Hey guys,
I'm trying to dig into the 10 Shelby convertibles that were loaned or owned by Playboy in 1968. From what I've read, all 10 cars were at the Grand opening parade in Lake Geneva in May 1968. I have some letters from Playboy to Shelby discussing the cars and their involvement at the resort.
Does anyone have any photographs of the parade or anything showing the 68 convertibles? I've looked everyone online and even contacted the Lake Geneva news and no luck.
Any help or input is appreciated.
Thanks
Matt
It's going to be hard to document something that never happened.
What documentation do you have that shows it never happened? I have documents that show Playboy and Shelby reps planning it all so I'm curious what you have.
Thanks
😂
Absolutely 💯 % happened 8) Well documented for years with historical references. The Wisconsin State Journal article is searchable online.
I have spoken to Dianne Chandler and Northwestern owner and salesmen.
There were 10 cars assigned to Playboy and there was a parade in Lake Geneva.
My bounty is on the pictures.
THE PLAYBOY SHELBYS
(http://www.thecoralsnake.com/chandler.jpg)
Dianne Chandler was Miss September 1966. She also made a visit to Northwestern Ford to promote the new Shelbys. Thanks for the picture Dianne ;-)
Most people are familiar with the pink 1969 Shelby GT500 that was given to the Playmate of the Year. That car actually started out as a Pastel Gray fastback (1969 - Serial Number 1027). It was automatic transmission car without A/C. Almost forgotten are the ten Playboy convertibles from 1968. Shelby had a long running association with Playboy and Northwestern Ford. He visited the dealership frequently.
The convertibles were sent to the Playboy mansion in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The cars had no special identification. In fact, all cars were standard production colors. Six of these convertibles would be sent from Northwestern Ford. The remaining four cars were invoiced to Minar Ford in Minneapolis, Minnesota some 250 miles away.
Here is a picture of a young Hugh Hefner celebrating the grand opening of Lake Geneva. The picture appeared on the front page of the Lake Geneva newspaper in May of 1968.
The cars were used at the mansion, most likely for special guests and staff. All the cars were prepped by the dealerships at the cost of $50. There were five GT350s and five GT500s. The cars stayed at the mansion anywhere from 2-12 months.
The mansion actually opened on Monday 5/6/68. It appears that all ten cars were at the mansion for the opening. Mr. Hefner organized a parade to attract attention. Carroll Shelby participated in the parade. One of Northwestern's salesmen told me Shelby rode in a 427 Cobra. The owner of the car asked Shelby to punch the thin, aluminum skin. Shelby looked at the owner with a puzzled expression. "Punch it . . . and take this marker to autograph the car" Shelby knew how to keep his customers happy and he complied.
From www.theCoralsnake.com
QuoteShelby had a long running association with Playboy
Carroll Shelby and beautiful naked women ??? Who woulda thunk??? :o
TOB
Consider contacting the research librarian at the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin public library.
1. Ask him / her to look through all of the local news papers in the month of the event; parade. Request copies of any articles or photographs found.
2. Ask him / her if they have a high school yearbook archive. If so, request any copies of the high school "Photography Club" in the year of the parade. Then cold call the members of the old "Photograph Club" for any old pictures of the parade. You might have to go to the High School library for this request.
Research librarians offer their time at little or no cost. It is a great way to get period advertisements of the Ford dealership that sold your Shelby when new.
Miss September....I do remember her well, as I also recall reading about those Shelbys at the Playboy mansion
Quote from: mtdubvee on February 15, 2023, 08:24:37 PM
What documentation do you have that shows it never happened? I have documents that show Playboy and Shelby reps planning it all so I'm curious what you have.
Thanks
Matt,
You were right - I had always heard that the '69 Shelby was the only pink convertible given to a Playmate. I never considered Hef buying Shelbys himself, and of course none of those was pink. Thanks Pete for an extraordinary lesson!
Royce,
Well I wasn't trying to be right or wrong lol. I'm willing to accept any documentation good or bad lol. I was just hoping someone had pics of these cars in that parade (especially the black one #3086). I'm gonna run down some leads and if I find anything I'll be sure to share.
Thanks,
Matt
Im here for you ;)
My man haha
Ms. Chandler even made the rounds to Mercury dealers.
- Phillip
(https://www.saac.com/forum/gallery/134-130719082520.jpeg)
Quote from: mtdubvee on February 16, 2023, 05:38:15 PM
Royce,
Well I wasn't trying to be right or wrong lol. I'm willing to accept any documentation good or bad lol. I was just hoping someone had pics of these cars in that parade (especially the black one #3086). I'm gonna run down some leads and if I find anything I'll be sure to share.
Thanks,
Matt
I am still looking for the Pic of them at the Mansion. I remember the Pic because it had a Black 68 Convertible front and center. I am hoping it is not on the Computer I lost in a Fire.
Great wheels!
and
Not referencing the car.
Searching for Playboy cars is very difficult, but someone has to do it
Quote from: silverton_ford on February 15, 2023, 03:19:30 PM
Quote from: mtdubvee on February 15, 2023, 12:47:42 PM
.... I've got the black 350 vert that was one of the 10.
Thanks
Is this the same car?
- https://youtu.be/hfF9ZIUVTjY (https://youtu.be/hfF9ZIUVTjY)
- https://youtu.be/30WDL6C3XVo (https://youtu.be/30WDL6C3XVo)
How is this for theater? Richards video at the 10 min mark he says it is one of 10 sold to Playboy while sitting in his truck. In Dennis' video he has something up his sleeve and it is telling Richard it was a Playboy car after they shook hands. Then he broke it down as the only black one. Well it appeared to me Richard didn't know it was a playboy car when Dennis mentioned it to him but he did a month earlier as witness by Richard's video. If they want to do theater they should check each other's video. Now could it be he was surprised the only 1 of 10 playboy cars in black? Possibly but that wasn't his reaction when Dennis informed him it was a Playboy car like he was revealing it for the first time.
Its all theater. Its called youtube.
A C T I N G !
No pictures yet, it looks that $50 is safe ;)
Do we know if any photos were ever printed in an issue of Playboy? I would assume if so, then an issue from 1968?
- Phillip
I havent seen them if they exist, also looked for other playboy produced publications.
Ive been to Lake Geneva newspaper and historical society, but had no luck.
Im not saying they dont exist, but someone will need to dig below the first couple layers
I have been to the first and original playboy mansion in hollywood CA. twice over the years invited to big parties there even swam in the grotto but wasnt looking at the cars much for some reason so not much help but i do know the new owner and bought several cars for him over the years!!
Did Hefner ever do a profile of Carroll in the magazine? Seems like a natural.
Quote from: Special Ed on February 23, 2023, 11:08:26 AM
I have been to the first and original playboy mansion in hollywood CA. twice over the years invited to big parties there even swam in the grotto but wasnt looking at the cars much for some reason so not much help but i do know the new owner and bought several cars for him over the years!!
FACTOID
Last days of the playboy
Daren Metropoulos, the son of billionaire investor C. Dean Metropoulos, purchased the compound for $100 million. The Times reported at the time:
The mansion sold for $100 million, the biggest home sale ever recorded in Los Angeles County.
As part of the sale, Hefner will be allowed to remain in residence for the remainder of his life; Playboy Enterprises will pay $1 million a year to lease the property, according to agents not authorized to comment on the transaction. All the statues, gargoyles and arcade games at the mansion were also included in the record deal.
"The Playboy Mansion is one of the most iconic properties in the world and the crown jewel of Holmby Hills and the platinum triangle," Metropoulos said at the time. "For the last 45 years, Mr. Hefner has imbued the estate with a rich and storied legacy."
The metropolis family owned adjoining property to the mansion as that deal was in the works for a while. Connies pink 69 shelby was delivered and given to her at a party at the mansion but thats a whole other interesting story on why she didnt keep it very long!
Quote from: Special Ed on February 24, 2023, 08:04:37 AM
The metropolis family owned adjoining property to the mansion as that deal was in the works for a while. Connies pink 69 shelby was delivered and given to her at a party at the mansion but thats a whole other interesting story on why she didnt keep it very long!
Do tell........
Quote from: Special Ed on February 24, 2023, 08:04:37 AM
The metropolis family owned adjoining property to the mansion as that deal was in the works for a while. Connies pink 69 shelby was delivered and given to her at a party at the mansion but thats a whole other interesting story on why she didnt keep it very long!
I wonder if the current owners of Connie's car know the story?
Is there a reason that story can not be shared here?
Corey
YES
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 24, 2023, 09:51:16 AM
Is there a reason that story can not be shared here?
Corey
It is because Ed was there and he ignored her the whole time drooling over the pink Shelby. ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 10:03:11 AM
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 24, 2023, 09:51:16 AM
Is there a reason that story can not be shared here?
Corey
It is because Ed was there and he ignored her the whole time drooling over the pink Shelby. ;D ;D ;D
LMAO !
By the way when will the PINK car make its debut ?
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 24, 2023, 10:08:32 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 10:03:11 AM
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 24, 2023, 09:51:16 AM
Is there a reason that story can not be shared here?
Corey
It is because Ed was there and he ignored her the whole time drooling over the pink Shelby. ;D ;D ;D
LMAO !
By the way when will the PINK car make its debut ?
Not sure only know that it is being restored.
We have a question
On this 1969 "PINK" Shelby, Connies Shelby, how would this specific vehicle be scored if everthing was 100% correct .... except for what truly makes it unique ?
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 24, 2023, 10:52:32 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 10:36:02 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 24, 2023, 10:08:32 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 10:03:11 AM
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 24, 2023, 09:51:16 AM
. ;D ;D ;D
Not sure only know that it is being restored.
Hopefully to it's incorrect day 2 paint job......
It is going pink. I don't remember who painted it but I'd think if it was AO Smith then pink. But you know what? It is a much more interesting car in story and value as a pink car. You can say the same thing about Carroll Shelby's 69 GT500 that was a diff color at first then painted red with 10 spokes, white stripes added.
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 12:12:04 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 24, 2023, 10:52:32 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 10:36:02 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 24, 2023, 10:08:32 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 10:03:11 AM
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 24, 2023, 09:51:16 AM
. ;D ;D ;D
Not sure only know that it is being restored.
Hopefully to it's incorrect day 2 paint job......
It is going pink. I don't remember who painted it but I'd think if it was AO Smith then pink. But you know what? It is a much more interesting car in story and value as a pink car. You can say the same thing about Carroll Shelby's 69 GT500 that was a diff color at first then painted red with 10 spokes, white stripes added.
What Color was Shelby's 69 originally?
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 12:12:04 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 24, 2023, 10:52:32 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 10:36:02 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 24, 2023, 10:08:32 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 10:03:11 AM
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 24, 2023, 09:51:16 AM
. ;D ;D ;D
Not sure only know that it is being restored.
Hopefully to it's incorrect day 2 paint job......
It is going pink. I don't remember who painted it but I'd think if it was AO Smith then pink. But you know what? It is a much more interesting car in story and value as a pink car. You can say the same thing about Carroll Shelby's 69 GT500 that was a diff color at first then painted red with 10 spokes, white stripes added.
Agree with you 101%
I have over a 100 old playboys some even into the late sixties but it would definitely take me a while to go through them to look for pictures like you're talking about. I can picture Connie Kreski in the magazine wearing a white dress if I remember correctly and I'm almost positive I still have that issue. When I turned 18 my mom bought me my subscription to playboy and when I turned 21 she got me my playboy club key card. My grandfather was one of the 1st to get a playboy subscription and to also get a key card. He had every issue up through the early nineties and decided to give them to either his garbage man or gardener I forget which and I went to go see him and ask him about them about 3 months too late.
Roy
Connies Shelby is 9F02R481027 it was originally pastel gray
A exquisite article appears in June 1969 Playboy. Truly a must read and see.
Carrolls Shelby is 9F03R482847
Now going from memory I believe it was originally white, Please correct me if I am mistaken
Quote from: tesgt350 on February 24, 2023, 12:44:15 PM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 12:12:04 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 24, 2023, 10:52:32 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 10:36:02 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 24, 2023, 10:08:32 AM
Quote from: shelbymann1970 on February 24, 2023, 10:03:11 AM
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 24, 2023, 09:51:16 AM
. ;D ;D ;D
Not sure only know that it is being restored.
Hopefully to it's incorrect day 2 paint job......
It is going pink. I don't remember who painted it but I'd think if it was AO Smith then pink. But you know what? It is a much more interesting car in story and value as a pink car. You can say the same thing about Carroll Shelby's 69 GT500 that was a diff color at first then painted red with 10 spokes, white stripes added.
What Color was Shelby's 69 originally?
When Jim Cowles restored it I think I remember that the car went back to AO Smith and was repainted from black jade to red. White stripes added. 10 spokes added. That is my recollection. It was talked about when it went to auction after Jim restored it.
Quote from: TA Coupe on February 24, 2023, 11:30:51 PM
I have over a 100 old playboys some even into the late sixties but it would definitely take me a while to go through them to look for pictures like you're talking about. I can picture Connie Kreski in the magazine wearing a white dress if I remember correctly and I'm almost positive I still have that issue. When I turned 18 my mom bought me my subscription to playboy and when I turned 21 she got me my playboy club key card. My grandfather was one of the 1st to get a playboy subscription and to also get a key card. He had every issue up through the early nineties and decided to give them to either his garbage man or gardener I forget which and I went to go see him and ask him about them about 3 months too late.
Roy
A guy I used to work with bought a lifetime subscription I think in the early 70s for like 600 bucks. Playboy a couple decades later sure didn't like that offer they made back then. Did you get a lifetime subscription?
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 25, 2023, 09:54:43 AM
Carrolls Shelby is 9F03R482847
Now going from memory I believe it was originally white, Please correct me if I am mistaken
I thought it was BJ but now with the vin you posted someone can look in a registry to find the original color(I'm at work so I can't).
Quote from: FL SAAC on February 25, 2023, 09:49:23 AM
Connies Shelby is 9F02R481027 it was originally pastel gray
A exquisite article appears in June 1969 Playboy. Truly a must read and see.
I got a "recent" pic actually showing the pastel gray on the car. in spots....
shelbymann1970, my mom bought me a 1 year subscription and I kept it going for a number of years.
Roy
Where'd you guys find cool moms that bought you Playboy subscriptions? My mom searched through my room to find mine.
Later in life, she told me that she was actually looking for any sign of drug use...which I never did back then...and happened to find the PBs. My dad told her to put them back. 8)
PS: Later in life, my now-wife was friends with Didi Lind...the Playmate with the most fan mail ever. Didi took her to the PB mansion several times. They hung out with Hef and others, swam in the Grotto, etc. (I'll bet I've never heard ALL the stories.)
What's even crazier is when I was 16 my mom, her boyfriend and his son and I were in Elko Nevada visiting some friends and we were eating dinner at a casino when his son said he was going to the Cathouse and my mom said take Roy with you. Everyone wanted to talk that over and after about 20 minutes he just said let's leave and we ended up going to bars and doing some gambling on slot machines until 5 AM.
ROY
Who thinks that Connies 500 will debut at the MCACN ?
me
FL SAAC, did you build that model?
Roy
Quote from: FL SAAC on March 02, 2023, 08:26:37 AM
Who thinks that Connies 500 will debut at the MCACN ?
me
I'll ask....