In 1967 there was 1966 black mustang fastback with a white interior that had head rests. Sharp car at that time.( owner lived in Needham, Mass. his dad drove it everyday to work while he was in Airforce ) Only mustang that I remember with head rests that early, anyone who saw that car at the time would remember it. Lots of people who got rear ended at that time got whip lash injuries. So bad that a joke of the time was: "What do you do if you rear end a car in front of you and the driver gets out and is holding his neck yelling " I got whip lash ". The answer was: " Run him over, it's cheaper." All I see are pictures of Shelbys with regular seats w/o head rests. Were head rests an option on 68 Shelbys? Has any one put them on thier Shelby?
In 1965/1966 Ford offered aftermarket head rests. The 1965/1966 head rests would have looked like cylinders supported by 2 adjustable posts screwed to the back of the seat. In 1967/1968 Ford offered aftermarket head rests of a different design .... larger and had a profile that looks like a big comma. Similar to the earlier version, the head rests were supported by 2 adjustable posts screwed to the back of the seat. Factory head rests appeared in the Mustang in 1968.5, but no Shelbys were so equipped in 1968. FYI: The 1965/1966 type aftermarket head rests are reproduced.
You described the 65/66 head rest perfectly. "Cylinders" supported by to chrome posts. Looked really good in that mustang.
The 65 GT350 in the Shelby cult movie Red Line 7000 from 1965 had head rests mounted. James Caan and beautiful Laura Devon were the stars in the movie. Have it on video and play it just to listen to the sound of that GT350 going around the track. Those were the days. 17 years "young and beautiful". Now I am only "and" Times goes fast, doesn't it? /Texas Swede
They are listed in the 1967 and 1968 Fomoco Accessory catalog. For the 67's and 68's, they have a "kidney bean" shape when viewed froM the side. I have a set for my 67, but not yet installed. You can find then on ebay once in a while, as also you can find an originaL accessory catalog
SAAC is implementing a new car class for their conventions, known as "High Performance Motors. The thing is portray your Shelby as it might have looked while sitting on the car dealer when new. Dealer installed headrests would be OK, so, yes, I would install period correct items. Seems like this might be an interesting class
Roddster, thanks for that information. I agree with this thought process of period correct. If I understand you, for example. My 2005 GMC truck is period correct ie: My truck has warn driving lights, warn winch, k and N air filters, yellow top optima battery, spray in bed liner, tool box, nerf bars,and a tv set for the kids to watch in the back seats, flowmaster exhausts, ranch hand bumpers, front and rear trailer recievers, and added back up lights. Period correct and options added by the dealer or could have been done by one. Anyone I know who really had a car in the 65-73 period was into period correct stuff at the time. It was bragging rights and a right of male passage at the time. I respect as it was built, and always hated the outlandish shit, even at the time, but we all did like options.