Donald Farr - Former Editor of Mustang Monthly

Donald Farr is certainly a great friend.  The now former editor of Mustang Monthly Magazine is the author of the great Mustang Fifty Years book.  We will miss him at Mustang Monthly and look forward to his next endeavor.

Here's a link to a nice article from Donald's local Lakeland, Fl newspaper:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20140308/NEWS/140309245?p=1&tc=pg

Just the Details...1966 Shelby Mustang GT350

The clean up continues on the 1966 Shelby Mustang.
www.VirginiaClassicMustang.com

As we mentioned in our last Blog post, we are taking a different approach with this 1966 Shelby GT350. Rather than actually restoring it, we have chosen to clean it up and maintain all of the original parts and finishes that are possible.  This task is being performed by Jeremy at Maple Hill Restoration.  We also want to credit him with taking most of these great pictures here.

In performing this "clean up", it was also important that the car run and function like it did when it was new. To do this, we decided to remove the suspension and brake system too.  The control arms had been maintained over the years with new replacement ball joints.  We will be replacing these with the correct control arms.  The rotors were "just okay", so they will be replace with new Ford units.  The original wheel cylinders, master cylinder and proportioning valve will also be rebuilt. Check out the pictures of the original disc brake proportioning valve.  This one was originally black.  Some cars also receive gray painted valves.

With a little play in the steering box, it was decided that it should also be rebuilt.  The gas tank has been replaced and gas and brake lines will be installed.

Lots of original finishes were discovered with gentle cleaning on parts like the front coil springs.  Check out the pictures and captions below for more details.  We will have more pictures soon!

The floor cleaned up very nicely revealing the original red sealer finish.
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We decided to remove the brake system and suspension.
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To clean many of the metal parts, we use Metal Rescue to remove the minor rust and reveal the original finish and paint markings.
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Jeremy at Maple Hill Restoration built this container to soak various long parts like the strut rods in the Metal Rescue.
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The original parking brake assembly and handle was nice but a bit dirty.
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The original parking brake assembly and handle cleaned up beautifully.
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The firewall area will be cleaned and left with its original finish.
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The original tag on the quick steering box has a date of 6C10B.  That represents March 10, 1966.  The HCC AX is the code for a quick ratio manual steering box.
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The original longer Shelby steering pitman arm still has its original yellow paint markings.
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The original front coil springs on the Shelby have a white marking that we have not seen before on the HiPo springs.  They also have the more typical browish red markings.  They were originally painted black before the markings were applied.
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The original front coil springs on the Shelby have a white marking that we have not seen before on the HiPo springs.  They also have the more typical browish red markings.  They were originally painted black before the markings were applied.
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The original front coil springs on the Shelby have a white marking that we have not seen before on the HiPo springs.  They also have the more typical browish red markings.  They were originally painted black before the markings were applied.
www.VirginiaClassicMustang.com

Here is another disc brake proportioning valve with original black paint.  Some of the valves were painted gray, but we've seen a lot of black ones like this.
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The end plate on the Mustang disc brake proportioning valves are stamped with a date.  This one is stamped "28-6".  This represents the 28th day of 1966.
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New Mustang Parts! 5 Speed Shifter Knobs.

1965 and 1966 Mustang 5 Speed Shift Knob.
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T-5  5 speed transmission conversions in early Mustangs are very popular.  We now have some 5 spd. shift knobs to compliment our 5 spd. shifter handle.

They are made just like the original Mustang shifter knobs but feature the 5 speed shift pattern.

Check them out at the links below:

IN-5652  65-66  5 Speed Shifter Knob (with correct chrome bezel / retaining nut)

IN-5681  67-68  5 Speed Shifter Knob

1967 and 1968 Mustang 5 Speed Shift Knob.
www.VirginiaClassicMustang.com

Just the Details...1966 Shelby Mustang GT350

1966 Mustang Shelby GT350.  SFM6S1732
www.VirginiaClassicMustang.com

The "clean up" continues on our 66 Shelby (6S1732) at Maple Hill Restoration.  In case you have not been following our Blog posts, the last owner had this GT350 since 1972.  During that time, it was stored well and had been used sparingly.  He just maintained the car and kept every original part that was removed over the years.

Rather than performing a complete restoration, we wanted to preserve lots of the car's originality by just cleaning it up.  We originally did not plan to pull the engine, but the last owner painted the engine black and the only way to really repaint the blue properly was to remove the engine.  This also made it easier to clean the fender aprons.  They have now been gently cleaned and retain their original paint.

The removal of the grease and dirt from the floor revealed the original red sealer finish which, of course, will stay.

The engine appears to have never been apart and is in excellent condition.  Due to an oversize drain plug that was installed in the oil pan, we have removed the pan to repair the hole to its original size.  We also have had the original HiPo water pump rebuilt, and it will be re-installed.

Other parts and parts of the car that retain their original finish will be carefully cleaned and left as is.  

Be sure to check out the captions on the pictures of the 289 HiPo engine flywheel, HiPo balancer and the Shelby floor pans for more details.  We will post more pictures soon!

The Shelby's original transmission cross member still has its original finish.
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Here is the plate between the engine and bellhousing on the original 289 HiPo.  It is interesting to note the original blue paint pattern.
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Here is the original flywheel 289 HiPo.  It still has its original orange paint marking.
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The 289 HiPo flywheel on the Shelby has a date casting of 5L4.  That's November 4, 1965 and is the earliest dated part on the car.
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The original 289 HiPo harmonic balancer was painted black.
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The Shelby's original HiPo harmonic balancer has an A6 (January 1966) stamping date.
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The original 289 High Performance engine has 82K original miles.  It's never been apart and is super clean inside.
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Here is a close up of the timing chain cover's date.  The 66, of course, represents 1966.  The one dot represents one month - January 1966.
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Later in '66, the motor mounts used on the 289 HiPo were the same as other 289's.  These cleaned up very nicely and the original finish will remain.
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Almost 50 years of dirt and grease was removed to reveal a super nice original finish on the floor in the Shelby.
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Almost 50 years of dirt and grease was removed to reveal a super nice original finish on the floor in the Shelby.
www.VirginiaClassicMustang.com

Almost 50 years of dirt and grease was removed to reveal a super nice original finish on the floor in the Shelby.
www.VirginiaClassicMustang.com

Almost 50 years of dirt and grease was removed to reveal a super nice original finish on the floor in the Shelby.
www.VirginiaClassicMustang.com

Special Deal on Mustang Front Disc Brake Rotors

1965-66 Mustang Slotted Front Disc Brake Rotors.
www.VirginiaClassicMustang.com

We just received a limited quantity of Mustang Front Disc Brake Rotors that are being offered for a special deal.

We have a few pair of Raybestos brand 1965 and 1966 Mustang Slotted Front Disc Brake Rotors.  They are being sold as a pair and are only $99.95 for the pair!  Part Number is BK-295B.  

We also have a few pair of Made in USA Wagner brand 1970-73 Mustang Front Disc Brake Rotors. These are the super nice two piece design rotors and are priced at only $79.95 for the pair (that's for 2 rotors)!!!  Part number is BK-240B.

Again, both of these are available in very limited quantities.  Click on the picture on the part number links to order.

1970-73 Mustang  Front Disc Brake Rotors.  Two Piece Design.  Made in USA!
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1965 and 1966 Mustang Coupe and Convertible Trunk Lid Torsion Rod Set - New Part!

1965 and 1966 Mustang Coupe and Convertible Trunk Lid Torsion Rod / Spring Set - Pair
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We now have the torsion rods that hold up the trunk lid on the 65-66 Mustang Coupe and Convertible. These rods kind of act like springs in holding the weight of the trunk lid so it stays in an upright position when open.  Order part number SM-9101.

We also have the rubber sleeve for these (part number WS-24).  It mounts on one of the rods to keep metal to metal from rubbing together.

Keep in mind that these trunk torsion rods are available for other years and body styles listed below:

SM-9102   65-66 Mustang Fastback Trunk Lid Torsion Rod / Spring (only one used on a fastback)

SM-9571  67-68 Mustang Coupe and Convertible Torsion Rod / Spring Set of 2

1965 and 1966 Mustang Convertible Top Motor Mounting Bracket

1965 and 1966 Mustang Convertible Top Motor Mounting Bracket
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Here's the latest new part.  It's the mounting bracket for the convertible top motor on a 65-66 Mustang Convertible.  It mounts behind the rear seat and is made just like the original.

Order our part number ST-16471.

We also have our new convertible top motor itself along with all the switches, wiring and cylinders to convert your manual top Mustang convertible to one with a power top.

Look for a technical article from Mustang Monthly Magazine very soon with this exact subject.  The entire conversion was made using parts from Virginia Classic Mustang.