1967 GT350 B/FX racer found in Chicago.

[Thomas]

Thomas,
You did locate a piece of the puzzle.
Did the number off the trans ID it as a 289 or 428 trans ?

It is a 289 GT350 trans, so the car must have run a small block when raced. Its very obvious that this trans has been in this car for many, many years.

[Shelby_r_b]

Interesting thread. Nice to see so many people who can help chiming in with info.

Thomas, do you have a front 3/4 view photo of the car with the hood closed so we can take it all in with the stance.
I'm also curious if their are any cut lines for the hood/fender or nose piece. (I know you said it was one single piece)

Here are a couple that I have of the front area. There are indeed very nice cut lines/body lines between all of the panels to provide the original panel look. For such an old process, they did a fabulous job reproducing the size/shape of the ford panels.

Update:
I WAS able to locate a VIN on the transmission. While it was in fact a 1967 Shelby GT350 transmission, unfortunately it wasn't from this car....Bummer. This particular car is an early build from all indicators, but the transmission is from a much later build date and from a different color car....
Due to the strict guidelines of the Shelby registry, I was not given any information as to which car or what color it was (The car that the transmission is from). While it would be great to know this information, I completely respect the process they follow in the registry and know that the right people have the records on file should the trans ever need to be reunited with its original chassis.

I don't know if you are open to this, but if you were willing to sell the transmission to the owner of the car for which it belongs...you'd probably have a life-long friend!  I know that Dave Mathews could get in touch with the other car's owner (confidentially) and share the info, again, if you're open.  No worries either way! 

[JessC]

Well good to know the transmission had numbers on it (it was a slim chance) but not for that car. Maybe if you look at Eng. Block on passenger side above oil pan there could be numbers stamped in there as well  Just a LONG shot
Jess

[557]

Interesting thread. Nice to see so many people who can help chiming in with info.

Thomas, do you have a front 3/4 view photo of the car with the hood closed so we can take it all in with the stance.
I'm also curious if their are any cut lines for the hood/fender or nose piece. (I know you said it was one single piece)

Here are a couple that I have of the front area. There are indeed very nice cut lines/body lines between all of the panels to provide the original panel look. For such an old process, they did a fabulous job reproducing the size/shape of the ford panels.

Update:
I WAS able to locate a VIN on the transmission. While it was in fact a 1967 Shelby GT350 transmission, unfortunately it wasn't from this car....Bummer. This particular car is an early build from all indicators, but the transmission is from a much later build date and from a different color car....
Due to the strict guidelines of the Shelby registry, I was not given any information as to which car or what color it was (The car that the transmission is from). While it would be great to know this information, I completely respect the process they follow in the registry and know that the right people have the records on file should the trans ever need to be reunited with its original chassis.

I don't know if you are open to this, but if you were willing to sell the transmission to the owner of the car for which it belongs...you'd probably have a life-long friend!  I know that Dave Mathews could get in touch with the other car's owner (confidentially) and share the info, again, if you're open.  No worries either way! 

.  Providing the car still exists.Unless the owner converted to an auto. the tranny likely came out of a wreck...

[Thomas]

Well good to know the transmission had numbers on it (it was a slim chance) but not for that car. Maybe if you look at Eng. Block on passenger side above oil pan there could be numbers stamped in there as well  Just a LONG shot
Jess

The original engine is long gone.

[J_Speegle]

The discovery of the transmission origin might explain the radiator.

[Thomas]

I had previously forgot to mention that the Shelby roll bar is still in the car too. There are four bolted attachment points and two welded points at the bottom floorboard. The square retractor mounts are located on the top upper bar.

There are also two round backwards facing short stubs near the lower portion of the roll bar that point towards the rear inner fender.

[Bossbill]

Is the fiberglass material on the nose really, really thin? I'd like to see the underside to see what kind of structural reinforcing was done.

I have a full fiberglass nose on my 65 race car and the logistics of "just popping the hood" to do a quick check had me punting on that. I just cut out the hood section and ran a fiberglass hood with dzus fasteners on the rest of the front body section.

[Thomas]

Is the fiberglass material on the nose really, really thin? I'd like to see the underside to see what kind of structural reinforcing was done.

I have a full fiberglass nose on my 65 race car and the logistics of "just popping the hood" to do a quick check had me punting on that. I just cut out the hood section and ran a fiberglass hood with dzus fasteners on the rest of the front body section.

Bossbill,
The fiberglass on the front clip is actually very thick and solid. The next time that I get a chance, I'll take more pictures of the inner structure. If I remember correctly, it was reinforced with small metal bars which were layered into the fiberglass cloth. Its very strong.

[Thomas]

I was lucky enough to locate a matching pair of rear Magnesium rims to match the fronts. They were in rough shape but since they are getting so hard to find I bought them with the hopes of restoring them. After a trip to the soda blaster they cleaned up fairly decent, but the dark weathered surface was now gone. The wheels looked like a chalky silver aluminum. I did some research and found a process to artificially age the surface making the rims look aged. I loved how the soda blasting left the original patina (small scratches and rubs), but cleaned off all of the nasty paint and oxidation.

As you can see, they look great. I cannot wait to get them on the car. (even if it is only a roller).

[427heaven]

Well it looks like you have CHOSEN your time frame to restore your car to, mid to late 60s great choice. It all begins with the wheels...

[Thomas]

Well it looks like you have CHOSEN your time frame to restore your car to, mid to late 60s great choice. It all begins with the wheels...

Yes sir, you are correct. Basically due to the lack of ANY history on this car, along with the missing VIN or Shelby ID, I'm put into a position where my best option (besides selling it in its current state) is to restore the car to an "As raced" condition. I have so many of the correct original period race components and have made every attempt to acquire period correct replacement Shelby parts for the build. (OEM steel frame trunk lid, lights, OEM air scoops, clips, hoses, and many other things)

I have a few ideas of how the project will move forward and I'll start another thread on the build if the group has any interest on following the progress.

I'm sure this isn't the first Shelby to have been devalued beyond the point of restoration or identification, it's just sad to see. I'll always keep the faith that someone, somewhere will recognize this car and set the record straight and I truly appreciate all of the assistance and wisdom shared by this group. You're all a really great bunch of guys!

[pmustang]

I for one would follow with interest

Can you run a Marti report on the trans VIN to find out details?

Worth 20 bucks or so

Of course it may be a partial VIN

[Thomas]

I for one would follow with interest

Can you run a Marti report on the trans VIN to find out details?

Worth 20 bucks or so

Of course it may be a partial VIN

Not available to me. 

To obtain the Marti report, a requestor is required to have the VIN as well as the Shelby tag number from the car.

I would love to have the info, but I completely understand the policy given the situations of people "fishing" for information on these unique cars. I think its a really great thing honestly.

[557]

U.R. Right.Marti and D. Matthews(for that matter)operate the way they do for very good reason.Confirm or deny,not provide.Keeps the breed strong.Otherwise If you only had one of the vins (for 65-67)you could.....instashelby...