To Shelby clone it or not?

put in the 5-speed (6-speed, if your budget will stretch that far). Benefit? Better mileage, better top end, longer engine life ad (and most important)...the "Wow factor" meter will go up a few notches.

Cost: $3,000...less if you can wheel and deal, do most of the conversion yourself.
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Disc brakes, all the way around. Better stopping, less fade and again the "Wow factor" meter is up again.

Cost: $2,000...less if you use "Donor" car parts, from the local auto recycle establisment.

Engine top end redo...Cam and kit, aftermarket heads, intake and carb to match cam/heads, assorted "Getto Gravy"..valve covers, air cleaner, headers and some braided lines, can be added later after the mechinaicals are done.

Cost: $3500...you can save by catching blow outs, buy used parts...often someone will sell perfectly good aluminum heasds to buy the latest, greatest version on the market...a 2, 3 or 4 year back design is just as good, for the street maybe even betters. figure 50% or less of new price.

frame, subframe connectors, roll bar: Roll bars are great for sanctioned racing or rally cars, but a pure P.I.T.A for every day uses. back seat is turned into a waste land. Unless you install bracing to make it at least a 4 point, its just in the way. Definately install subframe connector, if you can have them welded into the floorpan, even better. Get the "Shelby" front suspension relocation done and "coil-overs", if the budget can be stretched.

Skunk stripes, fiberglass hood, front valence...that's a "taste" issue. Personally, I like the Hertz-Shelby look, Black body w/ dual gold strips, factory bumper and shelby hood. Of course, you must have the plexiglass conversion done.

....Or not. Your call.
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My two cents? Everyone has a cloned Shelby these days, make it your personal car.
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I agree, the Shelby clone has been done to death. I was originally gonna do my '68 convertible as a GT500KR clone, but I decided that I wanted my car to look like a tough street racer instead. I used all the '68 GT equipment w/o any of the GT badging and the car is a nasty street sleeper. I would say go for the clone if you have to, but be ready for the people who say "oh, it's just a clone". If you want, use some of the Shelby pieces like the hood and side scoops, but do the paint and wheels the way you want. If you ever dedcide to go racing, then you can put in a rollbar and upgrade the rear and the trans. Keep it simple and stick with a plan. Nothing sucks more than deviating from a plan in the middle of a project. More money and more aggravation. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]

I originally wanted to make my car into a GT clone. After a while I thought about it, and i didn't want a car that everyone else had. I wanted something NO-one else had, and so I made my car unique. I decided on a low profile car that appeared stock but was most definitely not. And now I couldn't be happier. All the money it would have taken to buy myslf a shelby correct hood, or shelby style scoops and decklid etc, instead went into 4-wheel discs, suspension upgrades, and drivetrain upgrades. It was sure worth it too, because even though my car is not really a show car, it is different from the others, and that is refreshing even to plain restorers.

It all boils down to - anyone can build a clone. It requires no though, but to build something unique, it is obvious that the person that owns it has put in the time, thought, (and money) to produce a great and original car.

heres a possable idea CC, this s what im doing with my gal.

everything that you can, upgrase to surrent tec specs. like so commonley said around here, all around discs, A/C, good sterio..... but what about a "modern" drive train??? the 5L from a late 90's pony same with tranny and axle. hell if you feal so inclined, take modern stang body parts and fab them to fit your car. if not how about a modern interior? like the new style dash with all the lights, new style seats and all???

not trying to tell you what to do, just fireing ideas out as quick as i get em


Ed Guy

Dodge Boy

I'm with alot of the others, make it yours not something other people have
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I am doing a 68 convertible- new technology. Disc brakes, TKO 600 trans with alum flywheel and hydraulic clutch, rack and pinion steering,air conditioning, 408 small block, Vintage wheel works 17 in. wheels. Build what you want, it's your car.

Wow.... I guess people are in the mood to ressurect (soon to be) 4 year old posts.... But speaking of which, which way did you go Cupcake?

IMHO only: I hate clones. There is something special about seeing the real thing, and anymore, at car shows you just dont know what you are looking at. It is confusing. Im sure clones are fun for the owner, but to me they are just fake. Using styling cues from another type of car is one thing, such as stripes and all, but actually making it look near to exactly something else is totally another. It dilutes the hobby I think. Again, my opinion.

Originally Posted by 72BlackOnBlack

Wow.... I guess people are in the mood to ressurect (soon to be) 4 year old posts.... But speaking of which, which way did you go Cupcake?

I am going to go with a regular Mustang fastback. I have been gathering parts and I now have a nice stockpile of parts that I am going to change. Here is what I have:

-57 1/4" wide smooth back 9" with 28 spline axles and a 3.50 T-Loc.
-A nice set of coated Flo-Tech headers.
- Edelbrock F4B intake manifold.
- Disc brake kit that uses Granada rotors, but the original spindles.
-Tommyzees roller spring perches.
-MSD 6AL that will be triggered by the original distributor.
- A real set of Cobra valve covers.

I will probably go with 15" Magnum 500's or Salt Flat wheels.