Shelby Gauge Pod

[Bossssssss]

Hi,
I have a fiberglass gauge pod that I believe has never been used. Trying to determine if it is an original item.

When viewed from the backside, it has rough fiberglass that can be seen (mostly in the 'middle' where the gauges mount) as there is also fiberglass matting which covers the upper and lower areas.

The outside of it is smooth for the most part. I would call it a flat to semi flat black paint on it.

No holes are drilled anywhere in it (so I do not think it was ever used/mounted).

I think the previous owner put what I believe to be original black wind lace around the entire edge of it. I slightly moved it to the side where the ends of it meet and found that it can be easily removed. Maybe it cam with it from the factory? It looks good on it, but not sure it is original or not. 

Quite dusty as it was sitting for decades, so I am going to photo it as is and then probably wash it and photo it again.

Any info out there on original fiberglass pods?
thanks in advance.

[GT350Lad]

Photos would be good, cheers

[mygt350]

If it is indeed an original and you decide to part with it, I would be interested.
Martin

[SFM5S000]

Bossssssss,

Is the pod textured lightly on the top and over the edge then smooth on the face where the gauges go and lower portion?

Cheers,
~Earl J

[Bossssssss]

Hi Guys,
I will take some photo's of it tomorrow in 'as found' condition and post them. The forecast is supposed to be sunny in my area (very rare for upstate New York area), so you will will be able to decide for yourselves the 'look' of it.

Thanks,
Mark

[Bossssssss]

[gt350hr]

 I used to own the original from a three digit car . It was done with a chopper gun IIRC . Certainly did have texture on the top. 
    Randy

[mygt350]

If old age hasn't caught up with me too much, I remember original pod on 5S228 had texture on top as well.

[SFM5S000]

Well, if it were an original, I would see mounting holes. Granted the pinch on edging material doesn't belong on there, but the missing holes would indicate to me it is not. Unless they're under the edging. I can see the texture, it is very very fine.

~Earl J

[sfm5s081]

I know that the pods were changed somewhere after car #100. Wan't there an issue with them melting in the CA sun?

[Bob Gaines]

I know that the pods were changed somewhere after car #100. Wan't there an issue with them melting in the CA sun?

The plastic pods sometimes warped badly with the suns help. The fiberglass pod did not deform remotely like the plastic pod did and was the evolution in production and service replacement.

[SFM5S000]

As I recall, it started with fiberglass (determined it was too laborious to make) then to injected molded plastic (cheaper to make but didn't survive and warped badly with the help of the sun) then back to fiberglass. This is off the top of my head without looking it up.
Supplies from vendors for various parts changed too, steering wheels, hoods, pods, traction bar covers etc. Hand built cars, gotta love'em.

Cheers,
~Earl J

[texas swede]

5S275 came with a plastic pod which a previous owner gave me some years ago.
It had warped so bad so the top had to be broken off to get it off the car.
When I bought my car in Feb of 1988 it came with a repo pod. After many years of searching
I found an original fiber glass pod with an original oil pressure gauge. Sold the gauge to another
65 owner. Tried to post pictures but it's like pulling teeth and I gave up.
Texas Swede

[Bossssssss]

The reason it has no holes is that I do not think it was ever used/mounted. There does not appear to have any witness marks where the gauges mount.

I heard that these were offered in the Shelby parts book? but not sure. Can anyone please confirm either way?

Also, does anyone know if reproductions ever offered in fiberglass?

TIA

[Bigfoot]

     Tried to post pictures but it's like pulling teeth and I gave up.
Texas Swede

Indeed
I'll post some pics of an NOS piece if we can fix the pulling of teeth issue.