I came across this interesting article on the first production Mustang on AutoWeek.com written by Roger Hart. The article asks the question is the Mustang pictured above which sits in the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan really the first production Mustang or was Ford not even suppose to sell it in the first place. Some will say without a doubt its the first production Mustang because of it’s 100001 VIN but Randy Paddock of ClassicMusclecars.com says not so fast. The article goes on to tell the side of Randy Paddock and why he thinks he has the first Mustang that was suppose to be sold to the public. It’s definately worth the time reading as it contains alot of history. Check it out here.
I am so tired from all my weekend activities to write anything today so I am just going to leave you with the press release on how Halicki Films company has given Classic Recreations the exclusive first official license to build the ‘Eleanor’ movie car from “Gone In 60 Seconds”. Read all about it below in the press release plus check out the photos.
Press Release:
Halicki Films Company, producer of the motion picture “Gone in 60 Seconds,” is pleased to announce that Classic Recreations has been selected as the exclusive, first ever, officially-licensed custom fabricator to build the iconic “Eleanor” Mustang from “Gone in 60 Seconds.” “Eleanor” captured everyone’s hearts in her reprisal role in the 2000 feature film “Gone in 60 Seconds,” starring with her leading man, Nicolas Cage. Now, for the very first time, movie fans and Mustang enthusiasts alike can own their own authentic, officially-licensed “Gone in 60 Seconds Eleanor” collectible vehicle.
If you are looking to build a Mustang collection and are short on time then check out this Ebay auction where a guy in Puerto Rico has a massive collection of 103 Mustangs along with a huge collection of parts for the sale price of $950K. The collection includes a long list of various 60’s & 70’s era Mustangs with a few newer model GT Mustangs thrown in to round out the collection. Also with the cars you get a huge collection of new and used Mustang parts that include some 37 engines, 400 wheel covers, 21 carburators with the list going on and on.
Some of the highlighted Mustangs include 1968 Shelby GT350 convertible, 1969 Cobra Jet 428 R Code, 1968 Shelby GT500KR, 1969 Shelby GT500 coupe, 1968 Shelby, 1969 Fastback 390 S Code, a few 1970’s Mach 1’s. This is definately a very impressive collection of Mustangs and parts that will sure draw some interest from the states. Getting all the parts and cars back to the US might be a challenger but the owner has said if someone uses the buy it now feature shipping will be free.
Carroll Shelby’s personal 1969 GT500 convertible wows the crowd at Barrett-Jackson as it sells for $675,000 including auction fees to Ron Pratte who has added another Shelby Mustang to his ever growing collection of vehicles. For more photos of Carroll Shelby’s personal 1969 GT500 at Barrett-Jackson check out autoblog.com’s gallery of photos.
This is really no surprise to anybody who has been following the saga that is Unique Performance. On November 12th Unique Performance filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy ending a company that was flying high for about 5 years with partnerships involving some of the biggest names in the automotive world.
The Timeline goes like this, Lawsuits were filed by disgruntal customers who were not getting thier cars on time, Shelby Autos terminated their licensing agreement on the continuation Shelby GT500E and GT350SR’s, Farmers Branch Police raided Unique’s facility on November 2nd for an alleged title washing scam and seized 61 vehicles, Foose terminated his licensing agreements for all models including the Foose Mustang, Foose Camaro and Foose Challenger, Unique Performance files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
According to Autoweek.com, the terms of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy include Unique Performance ending it’s business operations immediately. In the filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas, Unique listed no assests of any kind. A Dallas legal publication listed Unique’s debts at $1 million to $100 million, but did not list the major creditors.
From a distance this 1967 Mustang looks like your typical classic restomod until you take a closer look and notice it’s nothing short of modern technology at it’s finest. This 1967 Mustang dubbed ‘Flashback’ was the brainchild of George Huisman, owner of Classic Design Concepts. This Mustang is one of two 67′ Mustangs CDC is building for the SEMA show in Las Vegas this year as part of their Boomed! campaign to connect with baby boomers who are looking to rejuvenate the past.
The Flashback Mustang is painted in a metal flake Pearl Blue and is completely new from the ground up starting with a dynacorn Ford authorized body shell. The front fascia gets a custom CDC redesign with functional brake ducts, fog light package and bright mesh grille. Not to be outdone is the rear fascia with opening for twin dual 2 7/8″ exhaust tips highlighting the 2 ½” dual exhaust, functional lower side vents, molded scalloped upper sail panels, taillights with integrated reverse lights and Flashback badging. Other standard equipment on this Flashback Mustang include high capacity cooling system, external oil filter system, stainless steel brake, fuel and coolant lines, a Ford 9″ rear end, substantle increased head and leag room, power windows & locks and power driver seat, electronic air condition, custom gauge package to name a few.
Powering the Flashback Mustang will be a 600 horsepower 5.4 liter Supercharged V8 mated to a 6 speed Tremec transmission.
If you did not read our previous post about Shelby and Unique Performance I will give you the real quick lowdown. Carroll Shelby’s licensing branch made it public they were severing ties with Unique Performance who builds continuation Shelby vehicles because of numerous complaints and lawsuits filed by customers who have put down deposits and have yet to recieve their car.
Little was known about this situation at the time only that Shelby was cutting loose from Unique but more details are coming out in another article by Automotive News. In the article Carroll Shelby explained that Unique has taken millions of dollars in deposits from customers who have been waiting for two years for their cars. These customers have filed lawsuits wanting their hefty deposits back only to be met with a NO from Unique who says customers will get their cars.
Also in the article CEO of Unique Performance Doug Hasty fires back saying Shelby Autos is to blame for production woes because of faulty 427FE engines that were supplied dating back to August of 2005. These engine problems have caused workers to stop production of the continuation cars for customers so they can fix the ones already in use. According to the article twenty-eight of the 43 Shelby Super Snakes produced prior to August 2006 had engine issues that led them to overheating and/or mechanical failure. Shelby dismisses this claim and said he knew nothing of the engine problem till recently.
It seems like a he said she said war of words and the only real losers in this situation are the customers who have yet to receive their cars or get their deposits back. After the jump read the rest of the article with specific customer complaints and decide for yourself who is to blame for the production woes. Continue reading ‘Details Emerge About Shelby Severing Ties With Unique Performance’
This might not be your run of the mill barn find but this 1965 Shelby GT350 has been sitting in some owners barn in Ohio for the last 27 years as a project that never got off the ground. The car has seen some better days with alot of rust on the body and the motor, trans and interior are completely gone. The body is verified as a 1965 Shelby GT350 through it’s VIN# 5T09A18XXX and through the Shelby Tag that was pop-riveted on the drivers side inner fender panel.
The Shelby Tag decodes, SFM - (Shelby Ford Mustang), 5 - (model year 1965), S - (Street car). The VIN number decodes:, 5 - (model year as 1965), T - (Metuchen, NJ assembly plant), 09 - (Fastback), A - (engine code for 289ci 4V V8 271hp high performance), 18XXXX - consecutive unit number. In 1965 their were 516 Street production Shelby GT350’s produced and they were all made in Wimbeldon White with Black interior.
This might be a good starting point for somebody with an original 289 from a 1965 Shelby GT350 but whoever wins this auction will be putting in alot of work to get this baby back on the road. The auction has a high bid of $1K and a Buy It Now of $7500.00. Check out the auction here. More photos after the jump… Continue reading ‘Ebay: Barn Find Yields 1965 Shelby GT350′
Art and Design student Jack Kirby from the University of Hertfordshire in England collected some 5,000 Budweiser beer cans to create a replica of a 1965 Ford Mustang. His inspiration for this project was an online contest by Bud to give away a real 65 Mustang. Pretty sweet if you ask me, is the motor all aluminum, sorry had to. Another photo after the jump. Continue reading ‘Art Student Creates ‘65 Mustang With Budweiser Cans’
In this episode Mr. Roush talks about a 1965 Ford Mustang K-Code that he picked up for his son Jack Jr. a few years after he graduated college. The Mustang was purchased from it’s previous owner who restored the car to a fair condition. After Jack got ahold of it they restored it to proper specs with all the correct parts. The Mustang packed a 289 High Performance engine with mechanical lifters. Enjoy…
This is really no surprise to anybody who has been following the saga that is Unique Performance. On November 12th Unique Performance filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy ending a company that was flying high for about 5 years with partnerships involving some of the biggest names in the automotive world.
