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67-68 Shelby Roll Bar questions

Discussion in '1965-1970 Shelby Mustang GT350 & GT500' started by Rick D, Feb 21, 2011.

  1. Feb 21, 2011 #1
    Rick D

    Rick D New Member

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    Hello all,
    I am a former Shelby owner, and long time lurker here, mainly because I haven't got much to add to most of the tech questions you guys ask.
    Anyway, I now have some questions for you guys about a Shelby roll bar I have. I bought this rollbar back in the seventies from Tony Branda for a Shelby clone project I never finished. I thought it was a 67 roll bar, because it does not have cuts in the rubber for the seat belt reels to bolt to. (I was told not all 67 had the belts) Also the brackets that are welded to the main hoop that bolt to the roof structure are just flat tapered pieces, I have seen other Shelbys that this piece is more of a channel shape. Can someone tell me what year rollbar I have? I am sure it is original since I have had it for over thirty years.
    Thanks, Rick
     
    Rick D, Feb 21, 2011
    Rick D, Feb 21, 2011
    #1
  2. Feb 21, 2011 #2
    rsimkins

    rsimkins Well-Known Member

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    Rick,

    A picture would be really helpful in identifing what you have. There is a pretty big difference between a '67 and a '68 rollbar. If I remember correctly, the '68 bar only bolts to the roof while the '67 welds to the floor and bolts to the roof. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
     
    rsimkins, Feb 21, 2011
    rsimkins, Feb 21, 2011
    #2
  3. Feb 21, 2011 #3
    Rick D

    Rick D New Member

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    Here are a couple pics. rsimkins, thanks for the reply
     

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    Rick D, Feb 21, 2011
    Rick D, Feb 21, 2011
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  4. Feb 21, 2011 #4
    roddster

    roddster Well-Known Member

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    1) "I was told not every Shelby got a roll bar". That is incorrect, except for the 1 of 1 67 Hardtop (Lil red). That one did not get a rollbar. All the other 67's & 68's did.
    2) The padding was cut way in the area of the retractors, or, the mold did not cover this area. After the reels are installed there was a cover (rubbery stuff) that also slipped on to cover the reels.
    3) My 67 has a mounting plate that is curved along the forward edge of the lower mounting plate. I'm thinking your bar might be a repop. At least is has a rubber cover.
    4) Now a days, due to legal reasons, repoppers do not call this a "roll bar".
     
    roddster, Feb 21, 2011
    roddster, Feb 21, 2011
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  5. Feb 21, 2011 #5
    Rick D

    Rick D New Member

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    Thanks for the reply
     
    Rick D, Feb 21, 2011
    Rick D, Feb 21, 2011
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  6. Feb 21, 2011 #6
    Bob Gaines

    Bob Gaines Well-Known Member

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    Looks like a repro 68 bar but the pictures are low resolution . The padding looks like the shiny hard rubber padding used on the repros. Bob
     
    Bob Gaines, Feb 21, 2011
    Bob Gaines, Feb 21, 2011
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  7. Feb 22, 2011 #7
    CK7684

    CK7684 Member

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    I'm far from an expert, but I believe I read somewhere that the rollbar mounted belts were an option...?
     
    CK7684, Feb 22, 2011
    CK7684, Feb 22, 2011
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  8. Feb 22, 2011 #8
    557

    557 Well-Known Member

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    Nope standard equipment....
     
    557, Feb 22, 2011
    557, Feb 22, 2011
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  9. Feb 22, 2011 #9
    Rick D

    Rick D New Member

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    Thanks for the info. Here is another picture. The coating is not shiny, not really hard. The rubber coating seems to have a grain to it.
     

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    Rick D, Feb 22, 2011
    Rick D, Feb 22, 2011
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  10. Feb 22, 2011 #10
    Coralsnake

    Coralsnake Well-Known Member

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    It appears to be an original 68 bar without the rubber cut. We ran into this a short time ago, someone else posted a picture on the SAAC website
     
    Coralsnake, Feb 22, 2011
    Coralsnake, Feb 22, 2011
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  11. Feb 24, 2011 #11
    thefordshow

    thefordshow Well-Known Member

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    The aftermarket bars are covered with a plastic rubber, were the originals are covered with a foam rubber. Aftermarket bars do not come with a base plate that welds to the torque box area like the originals. Aftermarket bars also have the side supports on the brackets for the roof ancor point, much like the 67 bars.
     
    thefordshow, Feb 24, 2011
    thefordshow, Feb 24, 2011
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