1968 Shelby American coupe certificate...Is it real?

[Bill]

Disclaimer: Pardon my ramble below

How is this cert recognized as being for a modern build? Because it has a CSM number on the cert instead of an SFM number? I'm trying to learn for future reference.

CSM would potentially be a "licensed" build from modern day SAL (Shelby American Licensing) where a 3rd party company or bodyshop (just about anyone, not Shelby American Inc themselves) paid Shelby licensing to build a modern day replica out of an old Mustang bodyshell. Anyone with a deep enough wallet can do the same, with or without a CSM certificate (basically wall art these days)
https://www.shelby.com/carrollshelbylicensing/

In this case, you have enough experience with Ford products to know it was an original 6 cylinder "T" code chassis.

Again, just based on what you have posted above, it appears that a CSM number was used on a certificate, but apparently the car has not yet been built, or was built, then sold to someone, who now believes they have some "special hidden gold" in a 6 cylinder chassis. I believe, with your experience with restorations, that you already knew the answer before you started this thread, but doing your due diligence, found this to be exactly what you thought in the first place.

Bill

[Royce Peterson]

Looks like it became a "Shelby" in 2014. That's not a car that we typically discuss here, as it was not built in the 1960's by Shelby Automotive or (pre - 1968) by Shelby American.

[Don Johnston]

This may be one of the "Heritage Continuation" cars from Legendary GT under a license (aka send us a royalty) from Shelby Licensing.    Check: http://legendarygt.com   
   Certificates for licensed late model  Shelby American cars are available from the Shelby Store.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

The modern incarnation of Shelby does not have a vintage registry.

.
You can register your vintage Shelby Dodge Omni or any other Shelby car built since 1983 (Dodge, Series 1, Continuation Cobras, Superformance and any other car built under license by anyone, etc) in the current SA Registry. The registry is nothing but a listing of owners that only SA has access to (to send your their latest sales pitch). It does not have any build data such as date or options unless you add the data to the notes section for your VIN. You are required to register (join?) with Team Shelby prior to being able to register your ownership and purchase a certificate. 

There is no authenticaion of the car only of your name on the registration - https://www.shelbystore.com/product-p/s2ms-cert.htm

They'll also let you register your 2006 and later Ford built GT350 & GT500 even though SA had nothing to do with the cars - after all 30 bucks is 30 bucks.

Anybody got a 1984 GT350 to register? That's the one CS sued Ford over and found out he had lost all the trademarks way back in 1967.
https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1984-FORD-MUSTANG-GT350-223621
After all he had as much input into that car as he did the current ones.

The GT350 Anniversary cars were made in limited production, with a total of only 5,261 cars built. This included both coupes and convertibles and with both engine options, the 4-cylinder turbo and the 5.0-liter V8. The total production for the GT350 convertible with 5.0-liter high-output engine and 5-speed manual transmission was just 587 in total, with only 282 being convertibles.

Looks like Coker is making repos of the oddball TRX tires - https://www.cokertire.com/tires/220-55vr390-michelin-trx.html

[5s386]

Does this certificate appear to be authentic? Any info on what this car is?

I've seen this same certificate on a blue 1965 Shelby (obvious) replica which was recently purchased by a married couple from Tucson, Arizona. They drove it to a local Phoenix area car show. The owners swore that it was an absolutely original 1965 Shelby, with the (same) document, with their Shelby serial number, that proves it. I felt sorry for them, as they paid a real 1966 Shelby price for it.

[Bigtphx]

I don't remember there being a certificate of authenticity issued with original Shelby's 65-70 when they were sold new, so any car with a certificate is probably a clone or later build. Original cars are just that "original cars", problem with clones and continuation or whatever isn't with original builder, it's the resale later where it's misrepresented as a "real" Shelby. Cars have become so valuable forgeries are common and profitable. My personal feeling is only the Shelby's produced from 1965-1969(70) are the real cars and the most valuable as they should be, any others are clones, includes continuations etc. and shouldn't be any where near as valuable. Continuations were built to make money pure and simple.

[Coralsnake]

I guess if you are going to take a chance and buy something that costs tens of thousands of dollars without the advice and consent of someone that can help you, you get what you deserve

[Don Johnston]

The only certificate of authenticity for a classic Shelby for me is a letter from a SAAC registrar.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

The only certificate of authenticity for a classic Shelby for me is a letter from a SAAC registrar.

and...... that will only confirm that the Shelby VIN and Ford production number you submitted matches the Ford serial number that was originally stamped on the car when it left their assembly line. It does NOT certify what those numbers are currently attached to is correct or original so you still need to do your due diligence.

[Bill Collins]

Getting a Marti Report on that coupe VIN may be the best place to start.

[Coralsnake]

An excellent suggestion. But, then of course, reality would visit, because that coupe was never anywhere near Shelby.