Shelby helmet

[BGlover67]

Ok, I'm going to let out one of my hunting secrets here for you all.  I've been looking for another Shelby helmet for a while now, and I realized that they don't have any permanent markings on them telling everyone what they are.  When they were new, they only had a single Cobra sticker on the front, which was easily lost to time.  I figured that many of them might be sold off without the seller (or even the buyer) ever knowing it was an original Shelby helmet.  Inside they have a certification sticker saying it passed requirements set forth by Snell, and the large '1968' is obvious. 

The biggest give away are the vents on both side just below where your ears would be, and a stitched leather boarder all around.  I just picked this one up online.
At some point in history, it was repainted and goofy stickers were added.  But those ear vents just screamed 'Shelby', and when I compared the inside straps and number of snaps, it was apparent this was originally one of the Shelby helmets.   

Gotta love the "Ride beside me, be my friend" sticker.

[Bob Gaines]

Informative. Thank you for sharing .

[Coralsnake]

Ooooooooo, ooooo...

I have questions...

First great find. Is it possible to restore these? Can they be taken apart?

Is it possible some of these helmets were not "Shelby" helmets? Ie., did Snell the company,  make a helmet that was shared with Shelby?

[KR500]

Snell is not a manufacturer but a helmet standards/certification foundation. Snell is to helmets as UL is to appliances. Their are multiple Snell standards/certifications depending on the helmets intended use, motorcycle, automobile, bicycle ect.

[Coralsnake]

Oh, thanks, question revised above

[BGlover67]

Ooooooooo, ooooo...

I have questions...

First great find. Is it possible to restore these? Can they be taken apart?

Is it possible some of these helmets were not "Shelby" helmets? Ie., did Snell the company,  make a helmet that was shared with Shelby?

Pete,

Although I've been told they were originally made by Buco for Shelby, I have never seen another helmet with the vents I pointed out.  I've looked at hundreds of helmets online, and this still seems to hold true.  I think it was specific to the model used for Shelby.  As for being restored, yes I believe the leather stitching can be removed.  The fiberglass certainly can be sanded and repainted.  Reproduction stickers are easily sourced. 

[Shelby_r_b]

Very cool!  Thanks Brian. 

[csxsfm]

The Snell Foundation issued their decals in registered sequential lots to qualifying helmet manufacturers.  Because of all the litigation around helmets, their record keeping was good.  They may still have in their archives the manufacturer ID based on the number on that Snell decal.  Or not.

[BGlover67]

Here is an ad from back in the day.   It mentions the 'unique' ear vents found only on this helmet.

[Coralsnake]

Awesome, now I want one

[BGlover67]

Received the helmet today, ironic what name is stenciled on the back (wrong sp of course).

[Bill]

Somewhere I have a picture of a white helmet being modeled by a SC SAAC member. I'll see if I can dig it up 

[Shelby_r_b]

Received the helmet today, ironic what name is stenciled on the back (wrong sp of course).

That was the name of his sister. 

[Special Ed]

I have an extra original silver helmet if someone wants it (don't really know what its worth). I bought them YEARS ago from a professional motorcycle racer who only bought it for the snell rating he had to have to race the class he was in and these were the only ones he could buy back in late 60s he told me. One he kept as a spare used very little and it was still in the Shelby box and had a Shelby plastic bag it was shipped in still laying in bottom of box. The other one steve j. got and it was used and worn but Shelby decal is still on it and I ended up buying it and $ 20.000 of other collectors items (including some of my stuff) back from the may mecum Steve j. estate auction.

[Shelby_r_b]

I have an extra original silver helmet if someone wants it (don't really know what its worth). I bought them YEARS ago from a professional motorcycle racer who only bought it for the snell rating he had to have to race the class he was in and these were the only ones he could buy back in late 60s he told me. One he kept as a spare used very little and it was still in the Shelby box and had a Shelby plastic bag it was shipped in still laying in bottom of box. The other one steve j. got and it was used and worn but Shelby decal is still on it and I ended up buying it and $ 20.000 of other collectors items (including some of my stuff) back from the may mecum Steve j. estate auction.

PM sent. Thanks Ed!