67 Cobra Wheels Given to My Father by Carroll Shelby

Hi, I'm reposting this because my post yesterday was locked so no one could answer it -

I'm hoping someone can help me with a bit a history and value on a set of original #S7MS-1007-D wheels. I'm about ready to sell a 67 Cougar XR-7 that belonged to my father that have these wheels on the car. The wheels were given to my father by Barry Galloway and Carroll Shelby in April 1967. At the time, my father was VP of Goodyear Tire International and also oversaw the racing division for the company. In a letter that my father received from Mr. Galloway, he stated "I am sending you a set of our 15" cast aluminum wheels for your Cougar. These wheels are our own design and are one of the types we plan to produce in Mexico." (Question, where were they made prior? Is this important?) Then in another letter from my father to a Goodyear associate who collected GT-350s and wanted to buy the wheels, my father said, "I saw Carroll Shelby last week and he told me these wheels are now collectors items." So, to end this post, I'm about ready to sell the 67 Cougar for about $3,500. While I spent a fortune years back on it's restoration, it now needs a complete overhaul again and someone who can love it as much as my dad. But if the wheels are valuable, then I should probably sell them separate from the car..? Also, someone once mentioned there should be a serial number on the inside of the wheel. If so, would it matter if it had a low number? Thank you so much for any help and advice.

 

Thanks so much TLEA. Yes, only a Shelby person would appreciate those wheels. I found a 2009 email from Jim at shelbyparts.com who had offered me $1500 for the wheels but at the time I wasn't selling the car. I just wanted to make sure I didn't have anything of great value. Perhaps the person who buys the car would like to sell the wheels and get the right ones for the Cougar. I appreciate your email.

 

Hi, I'm in Southern Pines, North Carolina. When my father retired in 1976, he gave the car to me. Having seen many snow-filled, salted-road winters in Ohio, the car was starting to rust underneath. In the mid-1980s I had the car restored paying over $10,000 for the overhaul. The rust could not be patched so I opted to have a "new" body put on. The company that was doing the restoration could only find a 1968 which was fine except they did not cover up the front fender lights.

The carburetor has been rebuilt several times but needs rebuilding again. Overall it looks okay but needs a complete restoration again. About five years ago the drivers side window shattered and the repair/replacement was not good. The interior is getting tattered from neglect (oh, my father would not be happy).

I wanted to work on this car and get it back up to show room quality again but I just can't seem to find the time. It is just deteriorating by not being taken care of or driven.

I plan on washing it this weekend and seeing if I can get it on a lift to check out the wheels. I'll also take some photos. I've attached one taken in 2003.

It is an XR7, burgundy body with vinyl top and leather seats (which need replacing). The car runs but it still needs work. I did spend a couple hundred dollars a few years ago to get those nice sequential turn indicators to work!

 

Thanks so much Bob.

 

Thanks so much. Any thoughts on how much I should ask for the wheels?

 

Thanks Bob. I have two different emblems that go in the wheel. Do you think that matters? My father got six wheels and sold 2. One set of emblems has the cobra, the other two have the logo. Sue

 

Thanks Bob!