The First Three '67 G.T. 500 Cars (Serialized and Built)
Brian Styles
The First Three G.T. 500 Cars (Serialized and Built)
After compiling and comparing the Shelby American Production Orders, Ford's Domestic Special Order (DSO) forms, and Ford vehicle computer records, we learned that the first three 'production' G.T. 500 cars weren't just similar -- they were, in fact, ordered identically (except for the body style) and were likely planned for the same purpose.
All three were painted red and fully-optioned, including the 428 SI engine +$200, automatic transmission +50, air conditioning +$356, tinted glass +30, California emissions $45, AM Radio $57, and Deluxe wheels $185. That’s an extra $923 (retail) in comfort and aesthetics which likely indicates all these cars’ were intended to be used as advertising and/or public relations vehicles.
The San Jose assembly plant expedited and built the fastback first, followed by the Coupe and then the Convertible.
All three cars were almost assigned to the Metuchen assembly plant and we're not sure why.
The fourth G.T. 500 built by San Jose was a 4-speed Fastback:
67400F7A00171, Lime Gold, DSO 2528, built on Nov-30, 1966, released on Dec-03
Seven (7) G.T. 500 cars were built by San Jose the next day making it impossible to determine which one was completed 5th, 6th, 7th ... or 11th. The G.T. 500 cars built on December 1, 1966 include (in numerical order): 0164, 0167, 0173, 0180, 0182, 0183 and 0185.
Footnotes:
1. Other than DSO 2505 for one hundred G.T. 350 'showing cars,' the rest of the pre-production orders were dedicated to one car each and placed between Aug. 8th-10th, 1966, including 2504, 2511 & 2512. Of the three cars listed in the table above, the coupe has the lowest item number; the convertible's DSO form was typed first; the fastback was serialized and finished first.
2. Shelby created "Package Codes" to designate the core build of the cars they were ordering from Ford. For example, a "200F" package would be a GT350 4-speed fastback; a 411F would be a GT500 automatic fastback with AC. Shelby invested the effort to create 48 different package codes (16 for fastbacks, 16 for coupes and 16 for convertibles), further evidencing their intention to offer more than one body style for '67.
3. Ford records (DSO and Marti Report) indicate that all three cars (#0100, #0131, #0139) were originally ordered with the Exhaust Emissions Control System (EECS). A FoMoCo Change Notice, dated Aug.10, 1966, was issued to delete the EECS from DSO 2511 (#0100 - the Fastback). This deletion appears confirmed by #0100's Shelby VIN. The Shelby VIN for #0131 (the Coupe) indicates no EECS, however, the Ford records indicate the coupe was built with EECS, and furthermore, a vintage photo indicates remnants of the EECS in #0131's engine bay. Also worth noting is that the Coupe #0131 never actually had a Shelby American VIN plate riveted atop the Ford VIN on the inner fender.
4. Engine Code: 1967 Shelby big blocks were all coded with an "S" in the Ford computer record which would normally denote a Special 390 GT, however, these cars left the factory with the FE-based 428cid 2x4bbl "Special Interceptor." This information is verified both by the DSOs, Memos, SVOs, Ford vehicle records, and the Ford Invoices to SAI for each car.
5. Rear axle ratio, wheels/tires (and engine code as mentioned above) are some of the options that are not accurately represented in the Ford computer record as compared to the way the car was actually ordered and built (per the DSO).
6. The first three G.T. 500 cars were also the first three 1967 'production' Shelby G.T. cars to be painted red. The next (4th) red G.T. was not built until February 8, 1967 by Ford San Jose (and not finished by Shelby American Inc until April 12, 1967). Did you know that the red paint color was almost not offered?
7. All cars on DSOs 2501-2512 were ordered with the performance-themed 5A Black Knitted Vinyl Luxury Bucket trim. It appears this 5A material was not available at the start of production, so ‘early’ cars, up to DSOs 2501-2527, received the 6A smooth vinyl (black).
8. Actual 'hidden' Ford VINs will not be published, however, we can confirm that the sequence in which the Ford serial numbers were assigned to these cars was: 1) Fastback, 2) Convertible and 3) Coupe. This is not the sequence in which they were actually built.
9. Company Car numbers appear to be another form of asset tracking that was implemented by FoMoCo when the took over Shelby American, circa April-June 1967.
- DSO Observations - August 1966 **Pre-Production Orders**
- 1967 Shelby G.T. VIN Decoding
- G.T. 500 cars with Air Conditioning
- How rare is the 6A Black ‘Smooth’ Vinyl Trim in a 1967 Shelby G.T. ?
- Why were the first eight (8) 428+AC+EECS (413 pkg) cars almost built in Metuchen instead of SJ?
- The first three '67 Shelby G.T. 350 cars built
Brian Styles
Eric Johnson
Brian Styles
Eric Johnson
Brian Styles
taylorscars
Brian Styles
- There were four (4) Shelby G.T. 350 convertibles built at the end of 1966 production (Shelby American).
- One (1) was Shelby G.T. 500 convertible built at the start of 1967 production (Shelby American).
- and then in 1968 everyone who wanted one could get one after Ford took over -- a Shelby Cobra G.T. (Shelby Automotive).