1968 GT500 428 PI Identifiers

[8T03S1425]

Hey Steve

Do you have the intake manifold? If you do check the back of the manifold and see if you have a partial VIN stamping there.

Hey there TXShelbyman, fka watts428. When I bought the car, it was well used and abused. The intake and carb were not on the engine. I have since acquired both but I'm still looking for a date code correct, reinforced block.

For those interested, and in particular, those who have helped me get the car sorted out into its present condition, here's a little background:

I bought this car in 1976, after seeing it parked at an ARCO gas station. It was an 8 year old high performance car that saw regular usage, and was at the gas station for a new clutch. I was all of 22 years old and had a pedestrian knowledge of Shelbys. I knew the VIN was special and the car should have the VIN present in 3 easy to find locations. I didn't know much about the details of the engine back then. Besides, it was fairly commonly felt that if the car was used as expected, the likelihood of the original engine not being damaged from racing was fairly low. Back then, pulling a worn out 428 PI and popping in a 428 CJ, from a wrecked Mustang or Torino would have been an upgrade.

What I did know was that I wanted a convertible, GT500, or a KR, with a 4 speed trans. Once I saw this car also had air conditioning, I was as determined to buy this car as would be a wealthy bidder at a B-J auction, after having a dozen too many rum and cokes, bidding on one of those ultra rare, and super fancy, 1967 Shelby Eleanor Mustangs. Ironically, I did over pay for this Shelby!

Thanks to all who have responded, and those who continue to respond, to this thread. Your information has certainly helped me. I hope it helps others, as well.

Steve

[8T03S1425]

I might have a lone c7 correct connecting rod for you...

Thank you for your offer. PM sent.

Steve

[8T03S1425]

Hey 8T03S1425,

My car is #1394, born on Feb 21st, 1968. Were almost brothers...... or cousins.......... or something like that .

QSS

Hey there QSS, Your reply immediately had me think about this comedy bit. Perhaps you recall it.

https://youtu.be/ZCqh5ROtQRg

Your car is 31 Shelby units lower, but built a week later. Do you know if there was a production issue causing the delay on your car?

My Marti report shows that my car was completed on 02/14/1968, 5 days ahead of schedule. Perhaps some of Al Grillo's good fellas "influenced" production. 

Steve

[Coralsnake]

Please review a day at the plant. Your serial numbers were not in order. Its not uncommion for things to be jumbled up....

http://www.thecoralsnake.com/6368

[Royce Peterson]

This is incorrect. The A scratch was used through fall of 1967. The C scratch was used from then on. The date the car was built would determine the engine block.

It is correct that a KR would only have a C scratch because there were no A scratch blocks being made by the time you could order a KR. 

Hey Tim, I thought the A scratch was for a 68 GT500 and the C scratch was was for a KR? 

QSS

[QuickSilverShelby]

Hey 8T03S1425,

My car is #1394, born on Feb 21st, 1968. Were almost brothers...... or cousins.......... or something like that .

QSS

Hey there QSS, Your reply immediately had me think about this comedy bit. Perhaps you recall it.

https://youtu.be/ZCqh5ROtQRg

Your car is 31 Shelby units lower, but built a week later. Do you know if there was a production issue causing the delay on your car?

My Marti report shows that my car was completed on 02/14/1968, 5 days ahead of schedule. Perhaps some of Al Grillo's good fellas "influenced" production. 

Steve

Hey Steve.

I do not recall that comedy bit.  It's pretty dang funny but I believe it's a little before my time  .

Looking at my Marti Report, it says my car was scheduled to be built on February 15th but it wasn't built until February 21st, 6 days behind schedule. 

When I look at my original Shelby Automotive Inc. invoice it shows my car was initially going to be a Lime colored car but at the last minute it was changed to a Red car.   Al Renn Jr. at Johnny Bolton Ford, out of Maitland, Florida made the color change from a Lime colored car to Red colored car at some point in January, 1968.  I'm not sure but this might have been the reason it was delayed by a week before it was actually built.

QSS

[TXShelbyman]

Hey 8T03S1425,

My car is #1394, born on Feb 21st, 1968. Were almost brothers...... or cousins.......... or something like that .

QSS

Hey QuickSilverShelby,

Our cars are brothers! Mine is number 1032 and was built on 2/21/68. It was scheduled for 2/20/68.

[QuickSilverShelby]

Hey QuickSilverShelby,

Our cars are brothers! Mine is number 1032 and was built on 2/21/68. It was scheduled for 2/20/68.

Hey Brother, what model is your car and what color?

QSS

[TXShelbyman]

Hey QuickSilverShelby,

Our cars are brothers! Mine is number 1032 and was built on 2/21/68. It was scheduled for 2/20/68.

Hey Brother, what model is your car and what color?

QSS

It is a GT500 fastback. It is Lime Green, automatic with A/C.

[68cobra427]

This may help. 

Jack in California has some 428 blocks 1-540-664-4418.  Also Robbob36@hotmail.com  may still have a 8A5 block

And you could contact Brandon in Washington state, he had lots of blocks. 1-509-713-5291 , His father told me.

Luck on your hunt
Troy In Oregon