68 gt 500 parts

If your looking at after market stuff, Tony Branda shelby and mustang parts sells pressmold fibreglass parts now vs the chop gun glass parts, but you can't beat original stuff when it comes to fit and finish. JMO

 

Try Tony D. Branda Performance (Cobranda.com). He is the largest maker of Shelby reproduction body parts. Jim Cowles at Shelby Parts and Restoration (Shelbyparts.com) is also a good source.

 

I think finding original fiberglass for an original car is the only way to go. The last thing you should be doing is replacing Shelby unique parts with crappy reproductions.

 

i am not sure about your experience but in mine usually the fit and finish of the original parts is terrible. I am always amazed at how poor the original parts look and fit. I have seen a few un-restored cars and was shocked at how the fiberglass parts fit. I know if i see a car where the fiberglass looks too nice or fits too well if probably isnt original.

 

If you spend some time you can get the original glass to fit real good. On a '68 car, little tricks like making the holes in the front fenders smaller and more accurate so that the fender extensions don't slide or shift when you go to tighten it. Test fitting all the parts with the rubbers on [I'll tape them on]before you do your paint, so you know how its going to fit after painting. Most guys will weld up a rusty car on the floor with jack stands doing frame rails and torque boxs, not thinking of the cars center line or if the cars even square and expect parts to fit. Use a shop with flat deck or steel table. I don't care for the look of chop fiberglass spray on the back of parts that should be smooth and every aftermarket part thats been out there has needed to be cut up and re-workd to fit. It is true that some glass didn't fit 100% or have lazor cut gaps but, thats the way they were. 30 years a lic. bodyman, I'll take original parts any day!

 

ditto,ditto

 

Nah, the 1968 fiberglass fits fine, you just need to give it a little love. Or was that give the bodyman a lot of money?



http://thecoralsnake.com/3206aa.JPG

 

Doesn't money buy love? With enough of it you get something real smooth to the touch and very appealing to the eye.

Chuck

 

Chuck I love you, but it has nothing to do with money.

 

Pete
You just love me for my car!!
Buy the way. Your scarin the h$# out of me.

chuck

 

Pete are you offering to come love my car? She is lonely and needs the love of a good body man.

 

You're both scaring me.

 

Yeah it went from an honest to goodness question to an X-Rated post! I can't wait to see where it goes from here!
I'll be sitting back with my bag of popcorn!

 

John, I am not offering, but I would love to get my hands on your 1968 at some point.

Right now I need to find the surface, so I can get my head above water.



PS Watch out for Tim.

 

Back on topic.

It does not matter where you get your fiberglass from: OEM, Branda, guy around the corner with a chop gun - it will require a lot of work if you want it to fit well.

You should have seen the fit of the original deck lid and side scoops on my 67 Gt350. Looked like something somebody did in his garage. And the one piece nose is 1/2" too wide. When you get the hood/fender gaps right it sticks out on both sides.

Branda is your best bet.

 

'67 original fiberglass and '68 original fiberglass are two different animals. The '68 glass is leaps and bounds better in quality.

 

Not that it doesn't require work but OEM is leaps and bounds better than Branda or any one else and you keep the integrity of your car (he is asking about 68 glass since we are back on topic)

 

Branda has been selling a reproduction pink colored injection molded fiberglass for 68 just like the original. It has been out for a couple of years now . Does anyone one have experience with this new variety?

 

We tried a letter panel on Bob's car last year and I wasn't impressed at all. It was so bad I ended up repairing the old one which was real rough.