1967 Shelby Notchback "Little Red"

[Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas]

Somebody had a great recreation of one at SAAC42

[shelbydoug]

Somebody had a great recreation of one at SAAC42

I saw it. I'v always thought of building one for myself and really appreciated this car.

[Richstang]

I'm surprised that no one has found a picture of Cosby with it yet? He was always borrowing the car.

Are you sure Cosby drove "Little Red", I thought it was the "Green Hornet" he talked about driving.

Yes, it was the red car. It was in LA, as was he. The green car is a Michigan thing.

It was said that Bill was often hanging out at the LA airport location and "often" borrowed the car.

I don't think anyone definitely defined what "borrowing" meant? It was said he was often at the Playboy Mansion as well. I can't imagine why though? 

DOH!
Of course that makes far more sense in the time and location.
I will start searching for Cosby in Little Red. You never know what may show up.

[honker]

This replica/recreation ?  was at the vintage races at Mosport back in 2014.
The car was out of Ontario, Canada

Mike

[Coralsnake]

The notes regarding the updates to the car are on Brian Style's website...

I dont think the pictures shown in this thread accurately reflect what was done. I would call the original pictures shown....the 1967 version.

[shelbydoug]

The notes regarding the updates to the car are on Brian Style's website...

I dont think the pictures shown in this thread accurately reflect what was done. I would call the original pictures shown....the 1967 version.

Well I like Little Red but with a 68 rear. The black vinyl roof is spiffy too. No hubcaps though.

[Richstang]

I reviewed all the notes I could find for the #0131 Coupe on Brian Styles website. It mentions the coupe was believed to be on display at the LA auto show on Jan 08. This was before the '68 features were defined. I agree, the original pictures posted (the only ones I've ever seen) don't reflect exactly how it was initially built. Yes it's still a 1967 version, but the details in those photos reflect a likeness to the upcoming 1968 styling. Specifically, the added grille surround chrome trim, the silver painted taillight panel, and the "SHELBY" letter on the trunk lid were not '67 features. The notes indicate it was built with Kelsey-Hayes Magstars, not 10-spokes rims. The large letter Goodyear tires support the rim swap. I don't think a date has ever been established when these photos were taken but it would seem that April '67 or later would be a fair estimate. 

[shelbydoug]

Wasn't the coupe a test mule? I can't remember ever having seen it with the 67 rear trim but even if it was, at some point they were mocking up ideas for the '68s.

The point is, I don't think there is a right or wrong way to build one?

By the same token I only remember little red with out board driving lights. Do you have pictures of it with inboards?

I forget. Did Little Red get sent to Michigan?

[Coralsnake]

I read the changes to be a 1968 steering wheel and all 1968 fiberglass, front and rear.

Im not sure we are reading the same pages? Can you post what you have?

[Richstang]

I read the changes to be a 1968 steering wheel and all 1968 fiberglass, front and rear.

Im not sure we are reading the same pages? Can you post what you have?

OK, I see the pages you are reading. Yes they are different. Here's what I was seeing on the timeline;
Scrolling down on the timeline page shows milestones          http://1967shelbyconvertible.com/research/timeline.asp

Nov. 02: Coupe (#0131) serialized at Ford (VIN: 7R01S******), 7 – 1967, R – San Jose, 01 – Mustang Coupe

Nov. 08: G.T. 500 Coupe (#0131) completed a week ahead of by Ford's San Jose plant. (Shelby American VIN: 67411H9A00131)

Jan. 03: Coupe (#0131) reportedly makes appearance at Los Angeles Auto Expo

Feb.: Due to continued production delays, extensive warranty problems, financial woes, and reduced public interest, Ford makes the decision to postpone the mid-year Coupe and Convertible body styles until the following year.

Mar. 28: Date code found on Seat Load Deflection Data Tags. Ref: Both the convertible (0139) and the Coupe (#0131) were fitted with black Connolly Leather "Show Car" seats.

April: With the '68-styled fiberglass received from A.O. Smith Plastics, two Shelby American company cars were re-purposed as "1968 Photographic Cars" to be used for marketing and public relations events. The only convertible on-hand was #0139 and the January-built #0463 was chosen for the Fastback.

Aug: 1967 Shelby Coupe "Little Red" (#0131) reportedly shown at a sporting event at Los Angeles Coliseum.

Oct-Dec: The 1967 Coupe (0131) "Little Red" was air-shipped to Dearborn at the request of Henry Ford II. This car was originally supposed to remain with Carroll Shelby in California per handwritten notes.

next post the build info...

[Richstang]

Scrolling through the Research page on "the First GT500 cars" notes the Ford and Shelby Supplied build information.

http://1967shelbyconvertible.com/research/the-first-shelby-gt500-cars.asp

DSO item # 3000, DSO number 2504, Package Original Order 413H, Package Delivered 411H, eng 428 w 2 4bbl carbs, C6 Auto, PS, PB, Courtesy Light Group, AM Radio, Black Interior Décor Group, Tinted Glass, Deluxe Seat Belts, 15" Kelsey-Hayes Magstars, Goodyear Bias Ply Tires (Speedway 350 Large Lettered) 3.25:1 rear axle ratio, Red Paint, Engineering Prototype, AC

Ford records (DSO and Marti Report) indicate that all three cars (0100, 0131, 0139) were originally ordered with the Exhaust Emissions system. A FoMoCo Change Notice, dated Aug.10, 1966, was issued to delete the exhaust emissions system from DSO 2511 (0100 - the Fastback). This deletion is also confirmed by the Shelby VIN for 0100. The Shelby VIN for 0131 (the Coupe) indicates no emissions system. Furthermore, no FoMoCo Change Notice was found, and there appear to be remnants of an emissions system in 0131's engine bay in a vintage photograph. This leads is to believe that 0131 was originally equipped with emissions at San Jose, and it was removed by SAI when the Coupe was transformed into a supercharged rocket.

Motor Code: 1967 Shelby big blocks were coded with an "S" in their Ford VIN which would normally denote a 390cid FE-series big block, however, these cars left the factory with a Q-code 428cid 8v (dual quad) FE-series "Interceptor" power plant. This information was verified both by the DSO and by the 1967 Shelby Registrar, Dave Mathews.

next post the hand written page I believe you are referring to;

[Coralsnake]

Two pages cut and pasted together

[Coralsnake]

Smith would have been supplying the 1968 front end and grille

I dont think the reference to 427 engined car applies to Little Red,but rather another car

[Richstang]

Looking at the "Jobs to be Completed in California" notes (estimated date June/July 1967)

Point #5 notes "Little Red to be updated to 68 exterior.

I suppose this is where we could interpret things differently. The 2 sets of '68 fiberglass supplied for the #0139 convertible and #0463 fastback were sent in April. They were waiting for more of the '68 pieces but nothing appear in the billing info that would let us believe it was received. I would think this is when the factory '67 appearance was changed the give a close look to the '68 styling without having those part in hand. (The grille surround chrome trim, trunk letters, silver taillight panel paint and 10-spoke rim swap) The 10-spoke wheels are a particularly important point as a change, as we know that's not how both the convertible and the fastback were initially built.

http://1967shelbyconvertible.com/documentation/original-documents/ionia-move-jobs-yet-to-be-completed-in-california.asp

[Coralsnake]

Since Smith was the exclusive fiberglass supplier for 68s, I think there is only one possible explanation.