April 1966

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
                1  2
 3  4  5  6  7  8  9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
 

May 1966

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
 1  2  3  4  5  6  7
 8  9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
 

June 1966

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
          1  2  3  4
 5  6  7  8  9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28
 

July 1966

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
                1  2
 3  4  5  6  7  8  9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31

August 1966

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
    1  2  3  4  5  6
 7  8  9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
 

September 1966

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
             1  2  3
 4  5  6  7  8  9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
 

October 1966

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
                   1
 2  3  4  5  6  7  8
 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
 

November 1966

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
       1  2  3  4  5
 6  7  8  9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30
 

December 1966

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
             1  2  3
 4  5  6  7  8  9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
 

January 1967

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
 1  2  3  4  5  6  7
 8  9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
 

February 1967

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
          1  2  3  4
 5  6  7  8  9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28
 

March 1967

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
          1  2  3  4
 5  6  7  8  9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
 

April 1967

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
                   1
 2  3  4  5  6  7  8
 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
 

May 1967

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
    1  2  3  4  5  6
 7  8  9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
 

June 1967

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
             1  2  3
 4  5  6  7  8  9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
 

July 1967

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
                   1
 2  3  4  5  6  7  8
 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
 

August 1967

 S  M  T  W  T  F  S
       1  2  3  4  5
 6  7  8  9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
 

Aug. 11: DSO 71-2512 for the 1967 G.T. 500 Convertible (Item 3001 was accepted and signed-off off by Ford Special Vehicle Team.

Aug. 12: DSO 71-2512 for 1967 G.T. 500 Convertible is stamped "RECEIVED" by order processing dept.

Aug. 16: Order for 1967 G.T. 500 Convertible is received by order entry department (per Ford vehicle record).

Mid-Sept: In addition to a the production GTA, a Red G.T. 500 advertising car was built from an experimental test mule Mustang chassis provided by Ford. These job of building these two concept / advertising cars (sometimes referred to as 'prototypes') was the responsibility of employees Paul Kunysz, Lonnie Brannon and their team. The red G.T. 500's eXperimental VIN is V738-2 and it was later assigned asset number 67ST102 in Ionia. 

Sep. 23: Second G.T. 350 is built by Ford's San Jose plant (#0056).

Sep. 27: Third G.T. 350 is built by Ford's San Jose plant (#0057).

Sep. 30: Letter from Frank Martin to Paul Kunysz commending him for his hard work and involvement in building the two '67 fastback concept cars (67ST102 and #0176).

1967 G.T. production begins at Shelby American, Los Angeles, CA with the first batches of Mustang G.T. 350 cars delivered.

Unfortunately, fiberglass fitment, supply issues, and financial problems plague the '67 operation from the start.  Due to these "launch problems" Ford Motor Company steps in and takes control.  SAI's district code is changed from 71 to 84. Dr. Ray A. Geddes takes over purchasing (and possibly operations as a whole).

Oct. 27 - Nov. 06: G.T. 350 Fastback (#0018) is shown at the 44th annual Southern California International Automobile Show held at the Pan Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles California.

Nov. 01: Convertible (#0139) serialized at Ford
(VIN: 7R03S133***), 7 – 1967, R – San Jose,
03 – Mustang Convertible

Nov. 07: G.T. 500 Fastback (#0100) completed two weeks ahead of schedule by Ford's San Jose plant.

Nov. 08: G.T. 500 Coupe (#0131) completed a week ahead of by Ford's San Jose plant.

Nov. 08: G.T. 500 Fastback (#0100) "released" to Shelby American, Inc., 6501 W. Imperial Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 90009.

Nov. 08: Order for G.T. 500 Fastback (#0463) keyed into Ford's computer system.

Nov. 10: 1967 G.T. 350 / G.T. 500 "launch event" at dealerships nationwide. Unfortunately, no G.T. 500 cars were finished yet, and only about 68 G.T. 350 cars were shipped to Shelby-franchised Ford dealers in North America.

Nov. 21: Convertible (#0139) completed (a week behind schedule) by Ford's San Jose plant. The convertible was originally scheduled to be built on the 14th.

Nov. 23: Fastback (#0463) serialized at Ford
(VIN: 7R02Q146***) 7 - 1967, R - San Jose
02 - Mustang Fastback.

Nov. 25: Convertible (#0139) "released" to Shelby American, Inc., 6501 W. Imperial Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 90009.

Dec. 07: Completion Date found on the SAI Production Orders for both the Convertible #0139 and Coupe #0131.

Late Dec.: Bob Carlson, Sales Manager at High Performance Motors, recalls Carroll Shelby driving-up in the red G.T. 500 convertible (#0139). "It caused a bunch of excitement and everyone in the dealership came outside and gathered around the new '67 GT convertible to get a closer look."

Convertible (0139) reportedly claimed by Carroll Shelby as his "personal driver," however, according to other employees interviewed, the car was being driven by one of Carroll's lady friends, possibly Sandy (a strawberry blonde gal from Oklahoma).

Ford turns to A.O. Smith Plastics "in an emergency fashion" to help solve the fiberglass issues. Date estimated.

Jan. 06: Fastback (#0463) "released" to Shelby American, Inc..

Jan. 24: Confidential Memo, dated January 24, 1967, to Fred Goodell re: 1967 GT 500 COOLING PACKAGE - AIR CONDITIONED CARS. "Engineering is requested to complete development of revision to the GT 500 necessary to permit adequate engine cooling in air conditioned cars. Engineering is further requested to build one prototype vehicle incorporating appearance and other changes for management approval. This request has Priority #1."

Jan. 27: "G.W. Nuznoff," the employee that started placing orders before Ray Geddes took over, re-assumes the role of ordering cars, though his name now appears as "J. Nuznoff" going forward. The late January (1/27/1967) Ford Special Order forms, beginning with DSO 84-2579 weren't received until February. There are numerous changes on the DSOs that happen with the new year's orders by Nuznoff. [topic @ 1967 Shelby Research Group]

The solution to the G.T. 500 air-conditioned cars cooling problem involved relocating the high-beams from the center to the outside of the grille area and adding louvers to the hood. Shelby referred to these as the “1967-1/2 front end” and “AirCon hood,” respectively. It is believed that by the end of February, all four G.T. 500 air-conditioned cars built so far, #0100, #0131, #0139 and #0463, received the updated components and were thoroughly used to test the changes. An engine oil cooler and aluminum-bodied compressor also became part of the solution before more of the G.T. 500 air-conditioned cars would get built.

Due to continued production problems and poor sales, Ford makes the decision to cancel the mid-year Convertible body style until the following year.

Mar. 20: Marking an early end to 1967 model year production, Shelby American places their last orders (DSOs 2603- 2614) with Ford for 1967 G.T. vehicles. These 12 DSO were all accepted Mar. 28 and stamped received on Mar. 31 1967. [topic @ 1967 Shelby Research Group] 

Mar. 28: Date code found on Seat Seat Data Tags. Both the convertible (0139) and the Coupe (#0131) appear to have received black Connolly Leather "Show Car" seats.

Mar. 31: 1967 G.T. Convertible (#0139) listed on Shelby American, Inc. Federal Excise Tax and California Use Tax on Company Vehicles for Quarter Ended March 31, 1967.

The last Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster is built.

With FoMoCo's updated designs, A.O. Smith Plastics fabricates and ships '68 styled fiberglass components "to modify two cars for photographic purposes." The hand-built fiberglass parts included two hoods, front-ends, tail light panels and  center consoles. According to the VanAkin Letter (page 2, item #4), the dollar amount for this work was nearly $14,800 (about $7,400 per car). For three pieces of fiberglass and a console, that's nearly twice the cost of the car that the parts were fitted to!
 

With the new fiberglass components received from A.O. Smith Plastics, two Shelby American company cars were re-purposed as "1968 Photographic Cars" to be used for sales and marketing photos. The only convertible on-hand was (#0139). The January-built engineering Fastback (#0463), previously used for the official A/C cooling tests, was also chosen for the role.

The Fastback (#0463), originally painted Lime Gold, was repainted Acapulco Blue after being updated with the new fiberglass. All photos of the Fastback show Acapulco Blue paint.

According to interviews of Jim Frank, Fred Goodell, Carroll Shelby & a Theft Repair Invoice, the convertible (#0139), shortly after being transformed into a "1968 Photographic Car," was apparently borrowed without permission, reported "stolen" by the staff and then "returned" a few days later." In a 2003 interview, Carroll Shelby revealed that the convertible (#0139) wasn't really stolen -- that the reported theft was merely the "public story." He refused to give further details and stated "It's better to let a sleeping dog lie." Other information from the Carroll Shelby Foundation indicated that some form of "compensation was tendered" for the convertible's return.

Six months after their emergency intervention, FoMoCo, still unable to make the struggling California operation profitable, makes the decision to officially terminate the Shelby Program.

Apr. 27: "Z" stamps appear to begin be added to the SAI VIN plates of cars completed on or after this date and availability is expanded to allow non-Franchised dealers to purchase cars, albeit with a $100 surcharge [related topic @ 1967 Shelby Research Group].

The updated convertible (#0139) was taken to Malibu Beach. Photographs taken from this iconic shoot later appeared on the cover of the tri-fold dealer brochure, and then in the first color print ad in Nov-1967 (the rocker stripes, fender badges and fuel filler cap were later 'airbrushed' by the time these went to print).

The two advertising (photographic) cars, the convertible (#0139) and the fastback (#0463) are also photographed together at the LAX facility with Carroll Shelby and at the base of the San Jacinto mountain range for some off-road action shots.

May 27: A.O. Smith Plastics enters into new agreement with Ford regarding 1968 Shelby production, as eluded to by page #1, item #1 of the VanAkin Letter.

Convertible (#0139) is repainted Wimbledon White and is photographed at Shelby American's LAX facility. The Fastback (#0463) is photographed along with Shelby's corporate jet.

The convertible (#0139) and the Fastback (#0463) are taken to the Hollywood Park horse track for another photo-shoot. These photographs would be included with the press kit handed out at the Long Lead Technical Conference held at Riverside International Raceway in early July.

Jun. 10-11: Carroll Shelby and the Holman & Moody group deliver the ultimate victory to Ford at the 1967 24 hours of Le Mans (35th Grand Prix of Endurance).

1968 styling details and assembly engineering drawings, including the "1968 Shelby GT Front End Assembly Drawing" are finalized by Runyon.

Motor Trend Magazine, in their 'As Rumor Has it' section,  leaks news that "Shelby-American will have a convertible in '68 . . . True ­ Shelby was shorting himself, perhaps on the premise that converts account for only 16% of Mustang sales. What he should have looked at was his direct competition, Corvette, which runs 31.3% with its ragtops." -- This news was supposed to be held until the new '68 models were announced in October '67.

Both '68-styled photographic cars, the convertible (#0139) and the fastback (0463), receive updated (version 2) ornamentation on the glove box, fuel filler cap,  and fenders.  Rocker stripes were also updated prior to the car's appearance at next month's LLTC.  Photos show that the Convertible (#0139) also received an updated roll-bar.

According to the June "Cobra Crier," employee newsletter (Vol.1 Issue.3), Shelby American was represented in the Custom Car Show at the Los Angeles memorial Sports Arena by a Supercharged GT350 and "Big Red" our blown experimental GT500. -- That is most likely a reference to (#0131), the only G.T. 500 Coupe.

Jun. 30: The end of Shelby American's fiscal year. The Shelby Program suffered approximately a $764,000 loss in FY-1967.

Jul. 10: The two '68 photographic cars are taken out to Idyllwild, California for another photo shoot. Both cars are photographed at no less than three different locations in Idyllwild.

Jul. 12: Date of North American Program of Racing and Related Activities for the Model Years 1968-1970 presentation. This document includes a P&L summary of the '65-'67 Shelby Program.

Jul. 17: Date of 1968 Fiberglass 'Panel, Assembly-Hood' engineering drawing by A.O. Smith Corporation.

Jul. 31: Convertible (#0139) listed on Shelby American, Inc. Vehicle Fixed Asset Ledger – Auto Division as of 1967-Jul-31.

All 1967 model year G.T. cars are completed (received their Shelby Upgrades) by the end of June. The airport facility is wound-down.
 

Aug. 02: Task List regarding A.O. Smith & Ford [handwritten]

Aug. 04: Last '67 Mustang built at San Jose assembly plant.

Aug. 10: Due date for convertible top boot to be modified by local trim ship. Ref: Ionia Move Documents - Jobs Yet to be Completed in CA

Aug. 14: Due date for Convertible's (#0139) sample production roll bar. Ref: Ionia Move Documents - Jobs Yet to be Completed in CA

Aug. 15: Lithograph (print) date of '68 Shelby Cobra GT 350/500 Tri-Fold Dealer Brochure. The disguised convertible (#0139) graced the cover.

Aug. 18: Convertible (#0139), referenced by inventory number 062, along with other engineering cars, are "disposed of" by means of shipping them to Ford in Dearborn (i.e. the new Shelby Automotive Company in Ionia). Ref: Ionia Move Documents - Disposal of Prototypes. Most engineering cars were shipped on 8/18 (arriving by 8/25). Ref: Ionia Move Documents - Relocation Dates

Aug. 31: Shelby American's lease for their Los Angeles Airport facility is concluded and the buildings have been vacated.

Production of the ’68 Shelby Mustang moves to Shelby Automotive Company in Ionia, MI, under contract with the A.O. Smith Plastics Corporation.

A number of documents we've found seem to tell the story of a contentious relationship between A.O. Smith Plastics and the new Shelby Automotive Company.

1968 model-year Mustang production begins at Ford.

1968 Shelby Dealer Promotion Handbook lithographed (printed) and distributed to Shelby dealer network. The Convertible (#0139), disguised and photographed back in May, graces the cover of this publication.
 

The first four ’68 model-year Shelby Cobra G.T. cars are sent to Ford’s engineering department.

Oct. 24: Activities by Shelby Automotive [handwritten]

Oct-Nov: Nationwide strike at the Ford Motor Company temporarily halts production of vehicles.

Regular production of 1968 model year Shelby vehicles begins.

Shelby American Racing relocated to a new location in Torrance, California.
 

February: [active theory] #0139, repainted Acapulco Blue and wearing regular production wheel covers, stripes, emblems and sporting a rear antenna, is taken to the Daytona 24-hour race for use in a Gulf Motor Oil ad photo-shoot. Also believed to have been taken a few blocks away to Daytona Beach for another Ford photo-shoot.

May: An Acapulco Blue G.T. Convertible, likely (#0139), appears in a new print advertisement. The scenery is a beach, most likely Daytona Beach, FL, with photos shot during the same time as the Daytona 24-hour race a few months prior.

July-October: "1967 G.T. 500 ... 0139" itemized on Shelby Automotive Company, Inc. Company Vehicles in Service documents dated 7/31/68 and 10/31/68. The car is assigned to Ray Geddes in the Marketing department with a stated use of "Oil Company Promotion." If the unnamed oil company is Gulf Oil, the 2-page ad is well-known and featured a myriad of '68 model year vehicles, including an '68-styled Shelby G.T. 500 Convertible painted Acapulco Blue.

September: 1969 Mustang production begins at Ford

November: 1969 Shelby production begins at A.O. Smith
 

Jan. 24: No 1967 convertible is listed on the Shelby Automotive Engineering Vehicles list, dated January 24, 1969. That prompts us to believe that the convertible (#0139), no longer needed for marketing purposes, would have been sold-off before this date.

May (approx): Six company-owned engineering cars, including '67 units #0100, #0131, and #0522, were sold-off to Courtesy Motors in Littleton, Colorado. It is possible that #0139 was sold-off around the same time, but to a different dealership.

September: Ford terminates the Shelby Mustang project is as sales slow dramatically. The leftover (unsold) '69 models are sent to Kar-Kraft, updated to '70 specifications and re-VINed.

December: Shelby Racing Company (California) is closed down by Ford.
 

The '68 Mustang 390 Coupe nicknamed "The Green Hornet" by Shelby Automotive, is purchased for $3,000 from Ford's Employee and Auction Resale Lot (the "B-Lot") in Dearborn. The buyer was Robert Zadnowski, a Ford employee and the yard supervisor.

1972 (approx) - Convertible (#0139) is purchased by Nicholas Pancotto (Oak Brook, IL) from Shimkus for $2,000. During his ownership, Pancotto changed the paint color from Wimbledon White to Acapulco Blue.

Oct. 1976 - Pancotto offers #0139 for sale in the Chicago Tribune's classified ad section:

SHELBY '67 GT500 KR convt. 99% Reblt. restored. drive train, brakes. New paint & top. $5800 or offer. 654-4530

Jan. 8, 1977 - Convertible (#0139) is purchased by Donald Neil Osbjornson (Lake Forest, IL) for $4,200.

Aug. 20, 1978: Convertible (#0139) is purchased by Jamie Ventrella (Northfield, IL). It was Ventrella that originally suspected that the convertible was actually a 1967 model year vehicle due to all the '67 parts and other telltale signs. Ventrella repaints convertible its original color of Candyapple Red.

Jul. 1, 1983: Convertible (#0139) shown by James Ventrella for first time at first SAAC convention in Dearborn. Shelby experts did not believe the car was real (and this is understandable because they'd never seen one before and didn't have any of the Shelby American paperwork at the time).

Dec. 16, 1985: Frustrated at the lack of acceptance of the car from the Shelby community, Ventrella begrudgingly sells the convertible to his friend, Richard Kot (Glenview, IL).

1986: The Shelby American interviews Jim Frank for "Cobrasations," issue #49. The convertible (#0139) is discussed.

1988: The Shelby American interviews Fred Goodell for "Cobrasations," issue #53. The convertible (#0139) is discussed.

Jul. 1989: Dave Mathews authenticates the convertible's hidden Ford VIN at SAAC 14 in Pocono, PA.

Jul. 14, 1997: Richard Kot offers car for sale at SAAC #22

2001: Volo Auto Museum takes convertible on consignment for $100,000. With no buyers, the court orders the convertible to be sold at public auction. Volo purchases the convertible (#0139) from the public auction.

2001-2003: Brian Grams begins research effort during cosmetic restoration of the Convertible (#0139). He makes the decision to restore the car with 1967 Shelby styling due to his discoveries of telltale '67 features found when car was partially disassembled.

Dec. 04, 2003: Carroll Shelby interviewed by Donn Gurney in reference to the convertible (#0139). As part of the interview, the Carroll Shelby Foundation also provides detailed vehicle information and an authentication letter. 

Mar. 27, 2007: Dana Mecum acquires the convertible (#0139) from the Volo Auto Museum.
 

» Continue to TIMELINE - PART 2 (2009-Present)