1966 GT350

[TheKidBry1]

I am currently restoring a 1966 GT350 fastback and wanted to know if installing left and right side torque boxes would decrease the cars value? This may ba a silly question but I want to make good decisions for my friends and customer.

[Coralsnake]

The owner of the car can do what ever he likes. In terms of resell value, it will always raise questions about authenticity and potentially decrease the value.

[capecodmustang.com]

If they need replacing then replace them.

If you're restoring the car and see rust or damage it should be repaired or replaced.

I would think seeing damage underneath on a "restored" car would decrease the value

[98SVT - was 06GT]

If you are talking about adding the convertible torque box to stiffen it up I wouldn't do it. 99 44/100% of "real" GT350 owners will not track their cars hard enough to see any gain. I think the Boss 302 was the only fastback that had them added by the factory.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/cj-classics-torque-box-in-weld-thru-primer-two-piece-passenger-side-mustang-convertible-1965-1968/p/3652WT/

[davez]

If your talking about adding torque boxes to a car 65 66 that didn't originally have them, that would probably be a negative  to a lot of future buyers.

[FL SAAC]

I am currently restoring a 1966 GT350 fastback and wanted to know if installing left and right side torque boxes would decrease the cars value? This may ba a silly question but I want to make good decisions for my friends and customer.

Ask yourself this question why ?

Are yours deteriorated, rusted out, truly needing repair  ?

[Bob Gaines]

I am currently restoring a 1966 GT350 fastback and wanted to know if installing left and right side torque boxes would decrease the cars value? This may ba a silly question but I want to make good decisions for my friends and customer.

If a panel shows rust or damage that can't be repaired in a way that it is not noticeable replace it . Adding the extra torque boxes will certainly decrease the value of the car in the eyes of a collector.

[TheKidBry1]

Thank you all very much for your input, I will not be doing them then since 65's and 66's did not come with them stoke. The car is in very good shape with minor rust in rt side rear footwell area that needs replacing a little in both ft lower corners of the doors. I have been doing metal finishing all my life and these are pretty straight forward repairs. it was originally Green and needs to be put back to original color, I realize it needs to be painted with original type base primer and paint. is there someone I could talk to so this can be done by someone certified to do Shelby's?

[shelbymann1970]

If you are talking about adding the convertible torque box to stiffen it up I wouldn't do it. 99 44/100% of "real" GT350 owners will not track their cars hard enough to see any gain. I think the Boss 302 was the only fastback that had them added by the factory.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/cj-classics-torque-box-in-weld-thru-primer-two-piece-passenger-side-mustang-convertible-1965-1968/p/3652WT/

In 1968 all cars had both front torque boxes and it kept on going. 67 was the last year for one sided torque boxes on FBs

[J_Speegle]

.................. is there someone I could talk to so this can be done by someone certified to do Shelby's?

There is no organization or body that certifies shops that work on Shelbys. Need to go on reputation and trusted recommendations. Don't just fall for a pretty website and claims of awards and trophies

[98SVT - was 06GT]

....back to original color, .... someone certified to do Shelby's?

There are many "Shelby restoration" shops. A few are very good others so so and some should be doing Camaros. Do your homework and get references. 20 years ago the accepted paint job was clear coated and buffed to mirror like quality. Today a single stage paint with the proper orange peel and overspray will garner you points. Check with the MCA if they have a painter they can recommend in your area. Dare I say they were just Mustangs when they left San Jose........

[shelbymann1970]

....back to original color, .... someone certified to do Shelby's?

There are many "Shelby restoration" shops. A few are very good others so so and some should be doing Camaros. Do your homework and get references. 20 years ago the accepted paint job was clear coated and buffed to mirror like quality. Today a single stage paint with the proper orange peel and overspray will garner you points. Check with the MCA if they have a painter they can recommend in your area. Dare I say they were just Mustangs when they left San Jose........

good ideas. These days when paying for a paint job I'll have it done to show quality standards and take the points deduction for not having orange peel and such. Why? No matter how "good" you restore one it will never be exactly how it left the factory because they are only original once. But that is me. I've have one expert tell me  about a known famous car that  has too much orange peel in the paint. LOL. All subjective. About Camaros... well there are some Camaros worth a lot more than most Shelbys.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

. About Camaros... well there are some Camaros worth a lot more than most Shelbys.

True - one of the 69 ZL1 Camaros built lived 5 doors away from me in the hands of the original owner. He and a partner had bought and raced it then he sold his half. He bought it back sans engine and trans in the 80s - part of the deal was he could buy it back. He also had a completely disassembled 63 Fuelie Vette that I passed on for $18,000 (without the FI).