Need help from you 65 experts/owners: 65 Shelbys came from the factory with 3 types of hoods: 1. All fiber glass with a round wire mesh opening 2. All fiber glass with a large opening under the scoop 3. Steel-frame with a fiber glass overlay. Checked the 97 registry and cars with serial numbers around my 65 5S275 have been reported to have any of these 3 hoods above. Originally, #275 came with 1 or 2 above as it has a prop rod. Now to my question: Have read somewhere that the hood with the round wire mesh opening came in two versions: 1. Without an extra ribbing from the middle to the front, early 2. With an extra ribbing from the middle to the front, late. If this is correct, when did the change occur or can owners check their respective hood and say what type they have and serial number of their car, Thanks for any help. Texas Swede
Looking at all the info I have appears that there is no exact science to where the hoods were placed by serial number. A very large assumption to what really came on what car!! Another blog was to what color the underside was. All early photos indicate body color while the later was black. I believe the light weight springs were the attempt to lessen the odds of warping hoods while prop rods were added as another measure. I'll assume something here, Steel underside hoods used light springs, prop rods placed on some during middle production using all fiberglass large opening and warranty claims, and last random on early cars as problems had not occured during initial run of first 100 or so. Not really the answer but I guess I made a ass of me and you ! Your car is close to the car Bob Gaines had that was supposedly untouched "HA HA" so he may chime in here and give you a better answer to what your car should have! I have a better respect for his knowlege since I was fooled at SAAC 31 with his old car! He set the record straight on an earlier blog!! Thanks Bob
My 65 Shelby #386 has the unrestored steel with fiberglass overlay hood, rough around the edges. I used to have 66 Shelby #234 in the 80's, and it had an all fiberglass with round porthole and mesh hood.