Shelby American Automobile Club and Clearing Up Some Misinformation - Pony Tales

Shelby Misinformation
Well, a correction is in order. In the "Factory Freaks!" story in the June '01 issue of Mustang Monthly (page 23), there was some misinformation on the Shelby story. I, Jeff Ford, editor of this publication, take full and complete responsibility for this error. Though Jim Smart and I shared writing duties on the "Factory Freaks!" lead story, I wrote the Shelby info. Though I said what I did in innocence, all of the information was provided by an owner, and it has been brought to my attention by eagle-eyed Shelby owners and members of the Shelby American Automobile Club that my info is incorrect.

For the record, 289 4Vs were never placed in Mustangs bound for the Shelby plant in Los Angeles; nor were 289 2Vs installed in these Mustangs. The only engine ever placed between the shock towers of the '66 GT350 was the 289 Hi-Po. My information was erroneously placed. Also, according to sources within the Shelby fold, the problem with the Q engines was in 1968, not 1967. Now that was a typo. I truly apologize for any misconceptions this has caused the greater hobby.

More Mustang I Rare Photos
Boy, do our readers come out of the woodwork when we touch on something they hold close to their hearts. After mentioning the ultracool (and ultrarare) Mustang I prototype in two previous issues (Apr. and Dec. 2000) and showing our readers some never-before-seen photos, what happens? We receive even cooler never-before-seen photos. We heard from Bill Wells of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, recently and he let us in on a little secret. Back in 1963 he was dating Sue Misch. While we're sure Sue is important to Bill (after all, they've been happily married for 35 years!), more importantly to the story is Sue's father, Herbert Misch. Ah, a name you might remember, no? Herbert Misch was vice president of engineering in 1963 for Ford Motor Company and along with Gene Bordinat-vice president of styling at the time-played a rather extraordinary role in the development of the Mustang I. Mr. Misch brought the Mustang I home and took his daughter and Bill Wells for several rides in the Mustang I, including to school (imagine pulling up at the old high school in 1963 in THAT!). Bill Wells also had the opportunity to witness the Mustang I at speed at Waterford Hills Race Course in July 1963. He passed on a few photos of his own collection to share with the rest of his fellow readers. Thanks, Bill. It's a rare glimpse into the Mustang's history.

FAQ
This section will appear in Pony Tales every month and will contain information on frequently asked questions. Some items will rotate out, while others will remain here for the foreseeable future.

Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation
Carroll's Children's Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that supports organ donation and transplant research for children. The organization has a quarterly newsletter and sponsors all types of events throughout the year. For more information or to make a donation, contact the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation, 19021 S. Figueroa St., Gardena, CA 90248; (310) 327-5072; www.carrollshelby.org.

Factory Invoices
Lois Eminger has only
Dearborn '69, '70, '71, '72, and '73 invoices for Mustangs and Metuchen '70 invoices. Invoices are $35, and proof of ownership, such as a vehicle registration or a copy of the title, is required. A rubbing from your data plate or VIN would be helpful as well. You may contact Lois at P.O. Box 220, Dearborn, MI 48121-0220.

Vin Info: Ford Customer Service number
To request a "History 999" report for your American-made Mustang, call the American Ford Customer Assistance line at (800) 392-3673. If your Mustang was made in Canada, you will need to call the Canadian Customer Service line at (800) 565-3673 and request a Broadcast Sheet. According to Ford PR sources, information is available for only '67-'88 models for right now. You will need to provide them with only your car's VIN. They will fax or mail you a complete list of options for the car.

Netstang
http://mysticcobra.net
If you like the way those '96 Mystic Cobras change colors like a chameleon when viewed from different angles, you'll want to know everything "mystique" about these cool Mustangs. What better place than a Web site that's exclusively dedicated to the Mystic Cobra, http://mysticcobra.net. This informative site has a detailed explanation of what the Mystic paint is and links to the BASF (manufacturer of the Mystic paint) Web site. The site even has frequently asked questions about the Mystic Cobra, Mystic Cobras for sale (including a link to ebay.com), Mystic touch-up paint availability, a Mystic Cobra registry, and cool photos of Mystic Cobras. It's a site worth checking out, just to look at the photos alone.

No. 1 For '71-'73 Yields A Few New Surprises-Fifth In A Multipart Series
For months now, we've been telling you about 100001 from each model year beginning with 1967. Thanks to Kevin Marti of Marti Auto Works and Ford Motor Company's longtime support and help toward Kevin's efforts, we now know a lot of information about '67-'73 Mustang production than was never known.

This month, we're going to look at 100001 for 1971-'73. With the information Kevin has provided us, one thing is clear: Elgin Motors Ford in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, apparently had a lot of clout with Ford. All 100001 units from 1971-'72 were delivered north of the border to Elgin Motors. In 1971 when there were two Mustang plants online (Dearborn and Metuchen), both 100001 units went to the same dealer: Elgin Motors.

The year 1971 would result in an odd year for Mustang production. The folks at Ford would build Mustangs at Metuchen during the fall of '70, while they were ramping up to build the all-new Pinto at the East Coast plant. Mustang production ended in December 1970 at Metuchen, as a result. Dearborn would be the only Mustang assembly plant until 1974 when San Jose would come online again until 1982.

Ironically, 100001 for 1971 at Dearborn was a convertible planned for delivery to Elgin Motors Ford. It was equipped with the 351 2V engine, a white power top, an AM radio, power steering and disc brakes, a console, the Decor Group, and full wheel covers.

As you can see from the chart at right, there's nothing extraordinary about 1F03H100001. It's a garden-variety '71 Mustang convertible with 351 2V power. Does anyone know where this one is today?

When Dearborn was bucking 1F03H100001 for its 27-hour journey down the line, hundreds of miles away in northern New Jersey, the Metuchen plant was doing the same thing with 1T04H100101. You might be tempted to ask us about the typo, 100101, but it's not a typo. Mustang production at Metuchen didn't begin until 100101. The first 100 orders that year for Metuchen were identically equipped Yellow Pintos. And no wonder, the Pinto was a spirited sport/economy car at a time when America needed one most.

Metuchen's first '71 Mustang was a Grand hardtop that was also shipped to Elgin Motors Ford in Toronto. It was equipped with a brown vinyl top, power steering and disc brakes, an AM radio, a console, and tinted glass.

Dearborn was the only plant producing Mustangs in 1972. The first order for Dear-born that year was a Mach 1 scheduled for delivery to Elgin Motors Ford in Toronto. It was a nicely appointed Mach clad in Bright Lime with green interior. Elgin Motors ordered this one with a rear deck spoiler, power steering and disc brakes, an AM radio, a console, and the knitted vinyl Sports Interior.

We wrap up our series of 100001 cars with 3F02H100001, a 1973 Mustang convertible ordered by George Busby Ford in Nashville. This was a striking SportsRoof clad in Bright Red with black interior, power disc brakes, Deluxe bumper group, and an AM radio.

When you sum up 100001 from 1971-'73, it's certainly ironic how much these cars have in common. They're all 351 2V engines with FMX transmissions, all have vanilla 2.75:1 conventional axles, and none were generously appointed.

So what does all of this 100001 mean? For Ford Motor Company and its dealers, it means very little. Though we enthusiasts get excited about low serial numbers, for Ford it was just an order number and nothing more. Next month, we're going to look at the last units produced from 1967-'73.

We're always interested in your Mustang finds. Please write to us at In Search of Mustangs, Dept. MM, P.O. Box 883, Annandale, VA 22003 or e-mail smartj@emapusa.com.