65 Shelby Under Hood Color and Prop Rod

All of the historical photos I have seen with the port hole hoods and wire mesh are body color as well as personal observation . I have seen the metal understructure hood -body color more times then blacked out and the all fiberglass hood blacked out more times then body color . I have a theory that the underside was blacked out if the paint job underneath didn't turn out well.

 

Bo, on the prop rods at least some of the port hole hoods also used springs I believe all the metal understructure hoods used springs . The all fiberglass hoods used prop rods and some used springs . I would leave your under hood white.

 

I have a photo directory I have maintained for my personal use dating back to 1972 when I started my interest in Mustangs. I remember reading an article in one of the Marques pertaining to the hood issue you are asking about. Quite a few cars were sold originally with the light weight springs knowing the original springs were too strong and would warp or break the fiberglass. Not until a few complaints were made about the lightweight springs causing damage did the prop rods show up to eleminate the problems. The rods were dealer installed on those early cars. Some pivoting from the left while others were right pivot. Thus bringing up the issue of replacement hoods damaged due to this miscalculation. I am sure those original hoods were discarded and other later versions were used and being dealer serviced the original colors were not returned to exact factory specs. I believe from all the photos taken by me of those hoods with wire mesh were definately body color and those showing up later black or gray were those serviced from either warpage or owners crashing them and insurance claims replacing them. I thought this needed to be said so we could put this in our think tanks when we get around to restoring all those genuine 65's. Great question to bring to the forum!

 

5S228 was painted white and had wire mesh. Do not remember if mesh was white.

 

My 5S266 was a 25,000 mile, original paint survivor. All Fiberglass, wire mesh hole, painted white, prop rod , no springs. Hope this helps.