Early GT350 grill badge

[65GT350dragster]

Hey yall.  Anyone ever seen the round Shelby emblem used on the grill in this attached pic from 1965?
We still have it on the car today, never seen it on another car.  Curious the story here.

[J_Speegle]

Looks like the ones included in the Shelby Kits. IMHO likely the source. Often installed on/in the fender  (double posts if I recall correctly)

Its possible that that is the source and the owner only had one rather than two so he choose the grill instead of the fenders  IMHO Day #2 modification

[65GT350dragster]

Shelby kits sold in 1965 to install on stock Mustangs?
This car was delivered to Harr Ford from Shelby American in street configuration and dealer modified for drag racing at the dealership by my father, Gus Zuidema and I'm sure a number of other Harr technicians.
My father entered the car in concours event at a SAAC meet in S Mass sometime around 2010.  The judging hit him up for a loose badge, but not the style.  Sadly, he has since passed.  Can I assume this round badge is period correct and appropriate?  Hell, it's in pics from 1965! I'm looking to tighten the car up some.  It has the wrong alt belt, voltage regulator, and color battery cable.  Easy peasy stuff for me.

[deathsled]

The dragstrip livery looks great to me.

[68blk500c]

See the bottom of this page for sources of thatYou cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment. Cobra badge.  Your father and his co-workers had ample access to such kits through the dealership service/parts departments.  It has been added to the car at some point.  It is not factory.

Very cool car and photos.  You are one lucky guy.

[J_Speegle]

Concours judging is very different compared to 2010 or even earlier

Shelby kits sold in 1965 to install on stock Mustangs?

Yes and other Fords

Here is a picture of a dress up kit and two of the round emblems included




 

My father entered the car in concours event at a SAAC meet in S Mass sometime around 2010.  The judging hit him up for a loose badge, but not the style.  Sadly, he has since passed.  Can I assume this round badge is period correct and appropriate?  ....................

If entered now I would think that the Concours team in div II would discuss the badge and make a comment. A very small deduction for it would not surprise me or they might just talk to the owner about it and suggest that next time its removed before showing.

[65GT350dragster]

Y'all are a wealth of information!  Thank you for taking the time to educate me.  I spent an hour online looking for what these "kits" might look like...love that you had literature to share! 
JP

[Dan Case]

Depending on when the accessory kit pieces were gathered and packaged for sale, three different "COBRA" emblems were used in sequence. I have personally seen these three versions used in kits Ford sold.




"S1CS-19523-B Emblem, AC_Cobra 2 9/16", in this case the second of two versions used in new Cobras and the first for two versions sold as service replacements and accessories until Shelby's California works stopped selling parts.



The "S1CS-19523-C Emblem, AC_Cobra" part was used in new Cobras CSX2133-CSX2589 and sold as an accessory while supplies lasted. Shelby American arranged for this part to be made.

The "Ford C3RA-14225-A 2" part was used in 427 Cobras and sold in large quantities as separate parts and in accessory kits. Ford Motor Company had these parts produced. The C3RA-14225-A part became the service replacement for the S1CS-C part circa 1966 and later the replacement for the S1C-B part also for all Cobras and 427 Cobras.

[mr68shelby]

The following letter was in some Ford Dealer paperwork I recently acquired. It is dated Jan 10, 1964. Evidently the emblems were not available during some time period. Mike

[65GT350dragster]

Awesome info.  You guys always amaze me.  Thanks for sharing

[65GT350dragster]

Next question.  On the front fender of the 1965 Pic are the graphics "Cobra I & II".  Does this also refer to engine upgrade kits offered by Shelby American?
Somewhere I have seen notes that the driver/tech, Gus Zuidema, and my father upgraded a 289 Cobra in 1964 to Cobra III when converting it from street do drag.  5S062 was also delivered to Harr as a straight up street gt350 and upgraded by the dealer techs on staff. Anyone have a quick background here to Cobra I, II, III?

[68blk500c]

Ford Performance catalogs detailed Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III performance modifications for each V8 engine family; obviously promoting service department performance parts.

I haven't seen a specific reference to Cobras in these catalogs.

[65GT350dragster]

Good call.  I believe the 289 Cobra I reference was upgrade to "Stage III", not Cobra III.

I'm mainly trying to identify the "Cobra I & II" graphics on my Dad's GT350. 

[Dan Case]

Good call.  I believe the 289 Cobra I reference was upgrade to "Stage III", not Cobra III.

I'm mainly trying to identify the "Cobra I & II" graphics on my Dad's GT350. 

Guess, that was an advertisement for the sales of new Cobras, 427 Cobras, and GT350s (second line).

The January 15, 1965 Shelby American parts book there were "COBRA I" and "COBRA II" vehicles. It was very important to tell the parts department what your chassis number was so they knew which parts your car would require. (The race wheels Halibrand created for 427 Cobra as marked "COBRA II" I believe.)


The December 23, 1966 Shelby American parts book there were "Model 1...1963-65" Cobras and "Model 2 in the Cobra series indicates the Cobra 427...".

[65GT350dragster]

That makes perfect sense. Again, great info. Like...

You can go to Harr, New Egland's largest FORD dealer and order your own "Cobra ! or Cobra !! or a GT350"

Thanks!