I am new to the Ford/Shelby ownership world, although I have fooled with and studied restoring classic cars for a while. I now own a 68 GT 500 that needs some resto work. I think the car is mostly original, but I need a source for info reguarding correctly restoring and detailing one of these fine cars. I AM NOT CLONING THIS CAR! Nor will I ever sell it, but I am a perfectionist. I plan to drive this car, and I plan to restore it myself. I don't want to screw it up,or lose any original details because of ignorance. Can anyone recommend any books with the valuable info I need to do this right? This car has been in my wife's family since it was new and I want to do it justice. Thanks. 1968gt500.
1968gt500. Welcome to Shelbyland. One of the first things I would suggest is to purchase the 1997 Shelby World Registery. Pricey, but worth every penny as a lot of the information you are seeking is in that book. Also get the Tom Corcoran book "Shelby Mustang; Steve Stratham's "Shelby" book. Randy Leffingwell's recent publication "Shelby Mustang, Racer for the Street". It has a good section on '68 Shelbys. Look for reference material everywhere you can think of. Go to car shows. Look closely at other '68 Shelbys when the opportunity presents itself. Join SAAC, also your local/regional SAAC club. Avoid Mustang Clubs in general as those members have little interest or specific knowledge about Shelbys. Do your homework, get the specifics of your Shelby down pat before you begin to do anything with it. Knowledge is the key! Take time to seek out some of the restorers in your area. Talk to them. Listen to what they say. Keep notes! Take pictures, lots of them, of original cars. You are going to a SAAC convention aren't you? Don't turn a wrench until you are familiar with your Shelby and lots of its details. If you have friends involved with Shelbys, by all means pick their brains on things to do and to avoid. Learn the car, and you will be well on your way. Good Luck! shlby66
I personally would stay away from books as they tend to be general. Let me tell you from experience their are vast differences in details in 68's not only model to model but from how early/late cars are. (especially 500's).Document your car well by pictures/notes as you dissassemble and assume nothing. As these cars have changed hands over the years most have been altered in one way or another. Feel free to email me as I have compiled mounds of original photos/notes. I would also suggest you get familiar with Pete Disher's website as it is the most comprehensive site dedicated to any specific year you will find. Tim Pete's website; http://www.thecoralsnake.com/
I also highly recommend the same website listed above. Pete is as dedicated as they come with the 68 Shelby cars and his info is correct or it does not get listed!!
