Designers of the fiberglass

[2112]

The Hemmings Muscle Machines article is finally up for internet viewing;

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1969-70-shelby-g-t-350-and-g-t-500







And an older but good article as well;

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/best-of-the-last-1970-shelby-g-t-500

[Coralsnake]

Carroll Shelby, tired of the program by 1969, talked Ford into its discontinuation after the 1969 models were complete.

Im wondering where this comes from?

A pink GT350 in 1969?

If I were going to write an article about something I dont know about, I would ask for some help.

[Coralsnake]

[Coralsnake]

This letter shows Smith declining to proceed with a quote on the 1970 cars.

This ended the program.

This is after two years of not being paid ( including storage cited above) in a timely manner, being blamed for all quality issues, it was AOSmith that taped out.

The program end had nothing to do with Shelby convincing Ford. Remember these cars were expensive and not selling well.

1971 models had already been planned.

[Bob Gaines]

This letter shows Smith declining to proceed with a quote on the 1970 cars.

This ended the program.

This is after two years of not being paid ( including storage cited above) in a timely manner, being blamed for all quality issues, it was AOSmith that taped out.

The program end had nothing to do with Shelby convincing Ford. Remember these cars were expensive and not selling well.

1971 models had already been planned.

That fact will not stop the urban legend spouted by the uninformed to come up again and again. The article was better written then then many I have read but they should have had someone proof read it that was more familiar with 69/70 details IMHO. The subject deserved only the best IMO.

[Side-Oilers]

Coralsnake's knowledge and docs tell the history.

I can't imagine CS ever opting out of a deal where someone paid him.

[Coralsnake]

Ok I will cut him some slack, overall a good article.

[2112]

Ok I will cut him some slack, overall a good article.

Especially considering (as with most muscle car publications) HMM is mostly focused on MOPAR and GM products.

It has improved quite a bit Since Joe Oldham passed. That guy Hated Fords.

[propayne]

Lots of Mercury Cougar features in HMM since its inception.

More than a few have made the cover.

- Phillip

[cj750]

Perhaps people get the idea that Shelby asked Ford to discontinue the program after '69 because that's what he himself said at the time.  (Sports Car Graphic, Feb. '70 issue.)

[Coralsnake]

Can we open the "Things Shelby said" can of worms now? Lol

A valid point though... once its in print, very difficult to correct the record. Most likely it was several events and not a single one that ended the peogram

[cj750]

Most likely it was several events and not a single one that ended the peogram

Exactly. I have no reason to doubt Shelby's claim, the reasons he cites make perfect sense in the context of the times. None of it is incompatible with AO Smith's desire to withdraw for valid reasons of their own. In any event, if actual '71 Shelbys would have resembled this prototype, we're fortunate the plug was pulled when it was.

[Coralsnake]

Awe, you wouldnt drive that? 

That would be a fun project to build that car!

I think I saw a photo of the left side of the car and it looks a different? A+ if you can find that photo.

[Bob Gaines]

Can we open the "Things Shelby said" can of worms now? Lol

A valid point though... once its in print, very difficult to correct the record. Most likely it was several events and not a single one that ended the peogram

+1 .  Better for CS to put the last nail in the coffin himself as the reason then have the embarrassing task of explaining all the factors including Smith not wanting to build anymore most likely for the reasons of non payment of services.

[shelbymann1970]

Thanks Pete. I have been living under a rock on this. Now I see there was more to the  story. Gary