1969 SHELBY GT350 FASTBACK VIN 9F02M480918

Description prepared by Bill Collins on December 27, 2004

AUTHENTICITY: Genuine ’69 GT350 fastback serial number 918. The base vehicle was initially built semi complete by Ford to 1969 Mach I specifications, then delivered to Shelby Automotive for finishing.

The original dash VIN plate and door warranty tag are intact. The warranty codes for this car are as follows: Body 63C: fastback with Mach I deluxe interior. Color T5: Candyapple Red (T) with blackout hood (5) NOTE: The “5” suffix was used to denote the matte black finish on a Mach I hood – although this code appears on Shelby warranty plates, Shelbys did not receive their hoods at Ford assembly.  Trim 3AA: Black Mach I high back comfortweave knitted vinyl with Shelby accents. Date19B: Scheduled for build on February 19, 1969.  DSO 842558: Shelby Automotive. Axle R: Locking 3:25 ratio. Trans 6: 4 speed close ratio.

The body buck or “build” tag is not intact. Dearborn assembly fastened these tags to the right (passenger) side front of the radiator support on 1969 Mustangs. The position of the tag interfered with one of the attachment points for the Shelby fiberglass front end assembly. It was therefore routinely removed at Shelby Automotive and discarded. Only some very early production cars have their tags intact. Because Dearborn painted the support after the tag was attached, an outline of the tag may be visible on unrestored cars where the radiator support is original and has never been repainted.

The confidential Ford VINs stamped into the front fender aprons are believed to be intact, but have not been observed. One mostly intact build sheet survives, together with portions of two others. Factory copies of the dealer order sheet, window price sticker and Gilboy Shelby sales report of 10-06-69 are also available. There is also a Ford Motor Company History 999 Report dated August 17, 2001. These documents verify the car’s Shelby status, and confirm its present colors and equipment to be as originally built.

This GT350 appears in the Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) Shelby American World Registry, 1997 edition, on pages 1067 and 1158.

HISTORY: Ordered on January 13, 1968 by Gilboy Ford Lincoln-Mercury of Allentown, Pennsylvania as part of their basic Shelby order for February, 1969. Built six days ahead of schedule at Ford Dearborn (Michigan) Assembly on February 13, 1969 and shipped to Shelby Automotive. Completed by Shelby and shipped to Gilboy on February 28. 1969.

Although the name of the original owner is unavailable, it is known that he was a building contractor residing in Catasauqua, PA, a town immediately north of Allentown. He kept #918 for an unknown period of time, eventually selling it to his next door neighbor, a Mr. Dinbrowski.

Dinbrowski kept the car until November of 1985, whereupon he sold it to Richard Campbell, possibly also known as Chuck Campbell, of Allentown. Campbell undertook a restoration which included a disassembly of the car, complete repaint and mechanical rebuild, and installation of some new interior and exterior trim.

On or about January of 1995, Campbell sold #918 to Hank and Jennifer D’Amico of Stormville, New York. The D’Amicos kept it until July 12, 1997, when they sold it to an individual presently known only as “Vin”.

Vin sold #918 in August of 2001 to Keith MacPherson of Easton, Maryland, who kept it until May of 2002, when he consigned it to Bill Collins to sell on his behalf. On October 19, 2002, it was sold to Thomas Koles of Shippensburg, PA who traded a ’70 Boss 302 as part of the transaction.

A job related relocation by Tom Koles has precipitated the sale of #918. On December 18, 2004, it again went into the possession of Bill Collins Collector Fords.

CONFIGURATION/CONDITION: Odometer displays 34,466 miles. Although it is unknown if this is the actual mileage, the car’s overall integrity suggests that it may be. The exterior was refinished in the late 1980’s in the original Candyapple Red color with gold side stripes.  Optional equipment includes 4 speed, Traction Lok rear differential, tinted glass and AM radio. Standard equipment includes power steering and power disc brakes. This Shelby was not ordered with tilt/flip-away steering.

The original 5 spoke Shelby wheels were restored by Paradise Wheels (Craig Conley) of California.  Goodyear Eagle ST 225/70HR15 RWL radial tires. All appropriate Shelby trim and exterior equipment is intact, including the fog lamps and functioning sequential rear turn signals.

ENGINE: Original matching number 351 Windsor engine. “9T18” is stamped into the left rear face of the block, just below the driver’s side cylinder head. “918” are the last three digits of this car’s VIN, and also its Shelby unit number. The significance of the “T” is unknown. A second smaller number is also stamped into this area. Although believed to be the engine assembly date, it is too faint to be accurately deciphered.

The block engineering number is C90E-6015-B  8, indicating a 1969 model year engine. The block casting date is 8M16 (December 16, 1968). The engine assembly metal ID tag, also known as a “coil tag”, is missing.

The engine was rebuilt and balanced at restoration.  A new camshaft, valve lifters, pistons, crankshaft kit, oil pump and timing gear with roller chain were installed. The cylinder heads and valves were also reconditioned. The engine holds good oil pressure, reading 40 lbs hot at running speed.

All engine accessories were either rebuilt or replaced at restoration, including the starter, alternator, power steering and water pumps, and distributor. The distributor is an Motorcraft replacement. The ignition components, battery, cables, and relay are Autolite branded reproductions.

The air cleaner is an original base with a replacement lid. The snorkel is intact but the heat shield has been removed. The carburetor is an aftermarket Holley with manual choke. The correct Shelby lettered aluminum intake and Cobra aluminum valve covers are intact. The intake has the date “6/2/69” cast into it.

The radiator is original with FoMoCo tank embossment and is fitted with an OEM Ford C9OE-F fan shroud. Hoses and fan belts are reproduction.  An ’67 style export brace has been installed to replace the original separate shock tower braces. The windshield washer system is intact with correct C9ZE marked reservoir.

The exhaust headers are tubular steel replacements, connected to a new OEM style reproduction exhaust system with correct style “H” pipe and resonators but no transverse style muffler. The system is fitted into the original Shelby unique aluminum exhaust collector and outlet port.

DRIVELINE: The toploader  4 speed transmission has an ID tag stamped “RUG-AG”. This tag number identifies a 2:32 low gear (close ratio) application in a 1969 model year Mustang with either 302 or 351 engine. The transmission is therefore regarded as being the original to this vehicle. It was disassembled at restoration and rebuilt with new bearings and synchronizer rings. The clutch disc, pressure plate and throwout bearing were also replaced at that time.

New universal joints were installed in the driveshaft. The rear differential is the original 9 inch housing without staggered shocks (small block cars did not receive staggered shocks). The center section has a “9A7” date code (January 7, 1969). The axle ID tag is missing. The ratio was changed at restoration to 3:50 from the original 3:25. New bearings were installed, and the locking diffrential inspected. 

Shocks are standard gas pressure units.

BODY: All unibody metal and fiberglass is factory original throughout. There is no evidence of accident damage, rust repair or panel replacement. The core underbody and structural metal are original and undisturbed. All outer panels are straight, with no waves or irregularities evident. Overall panel fit, gaps and alignment are good.

All body undermetal is original and in very good condition. The floor pans still have the factory primer drips intact. There is no denting or damage from jacking, etc. The front wheelwell  inner aprons and frame rails have been cleaned and painted black. The front suspension has been moderately detailed. The remainder of the underside has been lightly undercoated. The original gas tank has been painted grey on its underside.

The exterior trim chrome plating and/or finishes are in very good condition. The exterior paint is good.  It has good shine and overall smoothness, with few problem areas. The front of the hood has a small stress crack at the center scoop. The paint on the tops of both rear quarter panels has several long cracks near the quarter extension attachment areas. This condition has been evident for at least the past three years and has not worsened. It is believed to be the result of subsurface finishing materials not being allowed to fully dry before the paint was applied.

The windshield is the original Carlite brand. The radio antenna is a replacement. Although correctly mounted on the left rear quarter panel, its base is of a different style than the original.

INTERIOR: The interior is original and in good condition. All original Shelby equipment is intact including 140MPH speedo/8000 RPM tach, console with amp and oil pressure gauges, roll bar and harnesses, and all Shelby insignia. The console toggle switches for the fog and interior lights are replacements. The shifter has been replaced with a Hurst unit.

The seats, dash pad and door panels are in excellent condition with no splits or tears. There are no cut or modified interior panels except as done by the factory to accommodate the roll bar. The door armrests are in good condition. The original AM radio is intact and in working order. The heater core was replaced at restoration and the heater is in good working order.

The trunk contains a new reproduction mat and cardboard taillight protector panels, plus the correct inflatable space saver spare tire. The jack and handle are intact but the tire inflator bottle is missing.

The car starts readily, has good cold idle, runs well, and is exceptionally smooth and tight on the road with good power. All lights, signals and accessories are in working order, including the clock.

OBSERVATIONS: This GT350 is a nicely redone driver class example that presents itself very well. The red/gold color combination is both attractive and popular, and the four speed transmission is a big plus. The high body integrity, matched number engine and original driveline further enhance its desirability and value. This Shelby can be enjoyed and shown as is, or upgraded for more serious show competition. It is among the smoothest, best driving examples that I have ever offered.

PRICE: $52,500. Shown by appointment at my facility in Middletown, PA.