'66 Shelby Mustang Group II

[afx]

This project will be based on specs of a Group II Mustang - may take a liberty or two.  Haven't settled on the actual car I plan to build yet but have started the project nonetheless.  Here is some history on the Group II Mustangs if you are unfamiliar:

http://www.1966shelbynotchbackmustang.com/NotchbackHistory.html

Edited November 30, 2021 by afx

[afx]

First hurdle was to come up with a Shelby oil pan in 1/25 scale.  I recently learned Revell offered Shelby parts in 1/25 scale in a few of their old hotrod kits.  After acquiring engine parts from a '34 Ford (the '27 T also includes this engine) from a forum member I discovered the oil pan was too short to fit the AMT '67 Mustang 289 I plan to use, so I modified the pan to fit.

 

The remaining Revell parts (molded black) will fit the AMT 289 block, but I won't be using them on this project.

Edited November 29, 2021 by afx

[afx]

The chassis in the AMT '66 kit leaves a lot to be desired.

 

I'll be replacing it with the more detailed AMT '67 Shelby chassis, suspension and engine.  I cut the inner fender free from the '67 body and attached them along with the firewall to the front clip just as they would be on the 1:1

A little finagling and it fits the '66 body pretty well.

 

Added inner lips to the front fender to support the hood.

 

Also added strips along the inner edge of the fenders to tighten up the hood gap.

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by afx

[65slotcar]

JC,  should be  a cool project.  Never thought  of going with the AMT 67  Shelby  gt 350 kit,  looks like it fits  very well with just a few minor modifications.

[afx]

I've successfully used the Revellogram 1/24 scale Mustang chassis under some 1/25 scale Falcon projects Bill, but thought this would be a simpler way to go.  The wheel bases are the same between the two AMT kits.

'66 Falcon project using the 1/24 scale chassis:

Edited November 30, 2021 by afx

[Straightliner59]

Looking very good, so far, JC. Love the work you did on the pan, especially!

[swede70]

Excellent work J.C.  Certainly appearing trim and well-engineered for your intelligent upgrades.  Anticipating further progress...

Mike K./Swede70

[afx]

Thanks Dan & Mike. Working on fitting the interior - photos soon.

[Pierre Rivard]

Beautiful and creative approach to this build. No surprise since your modela are always gems!

A pleasure to follow this one.

[250 Testa Rossa]

Can't wait to see how this one turns out!

[vamach1]

Following this one as well.  Gary McNutt had decals made for his rally version 66 coupe which started life as a diecast.  I think he posted some WIP pictures a year or so ago.  There are some 1/43 diecasts which are not bad.  Here’s a 1/64 Greenlight of the Number 4 Group II car.  Accuracy in that scale isn’t great but no surprise there for a mass produced item.

Edited November 30, 2021 by vamach1

[afx]

Neat little diecast Rex.  The stripes should be red and blue assuming they were modeling AJ Foyt's car.

 

 

Edited November 30, 2021 by afx

[afx]

Many Group II cars retained their chrome trim - I chose to remove it along with the emblems.

Edited December 1, 2021 by afx

[vamach1]

17 hours ago, afx said:

Neat little diecast Rex.  The stripes should be red and blue assuming they were modeling AJ Foyt's car.

 

 

Yes I would say Greenlight tried to do the AJ car but obviously got the stripes wrong and missed most of the sponsor decals and the tires stick out way too far.

[mk11]

Are you going to move the upper control arms too?  

That's looking like a great start. No one like you for bringing out the best in these Ford kits with well thought out modifications.

As an aside, the revell bronco can provide a pretty accurate 9 inch diff and front dress for that sbf.

[afx]

12 hours ago, mk11 said:

Are you going to move the upper control arms too?  

That's looking like a great start. No one like you for bringing out the best in these Ford kits with well thought out modifications.

As an aside, the revell bronco can provide a pretty accurate 9 inch diff and front dress for that sbf.

I was born a blue oval guy, my dad worked for a Ford Dealership for 30-years!  I worked there washing cars in the summers during high school.

Move the upper control arms to lower the stance?  I think I can lower the stance without moving them but we will see.

I'll check out the Bronco parts vs. the '67 kit parts - thanks for the suggestion.

[afx]

The '67 interior (yes I'm using the '67 interior in a '66 ) is for a fastback so I had to fabricate the back half to fit the notchback body. The notchbacks competed in the Sedan Class and as such were required to have 4-seats.  However I want to install the over-ride rear traction bars that have a mounting point under the rear seat.  Not sure I can make all that fit under the seat so I fabricated a GT350 style insert in case I need it.

I want to simplify the door cards and still need to fabricate a 4-point roll hoop.  But the interior fits with the glass in place!

[mk11]

Kidding about the arms. Mentioned the bronco diff because amt provided only an 8" diff in their '67 Mustangs. The revell 29/31 kits and the '39 wagonrod  also have pretty accurate 9" diffs.

[afx]

How to tell an 8" from 9" differential

https://www.fordmuscle.com/tech/8-inch-or-9-inch/

https://www.diyford.com/ford-axle-history-identification-ford-differentials/

The smaller 8-inch third member is on the right. Note the two lower bolts at 6 and 7 o’clock have straight access with a socket. The 9-inch third-member bottom fasteners, on the left, can only be accessed with a wrench. This is an easy way to identify the third members, so you’re sure to buy the correct axle.

Edited December 2, 2021 by afx

[afx]

'66 Shelby Group II Equipment

• Shelby Racing 289 engine with aluminum intake and 715-cfm Holley carb
• Finned aluminum oil pan
• Stock valve covers with special breather
• Tube headers with 2-1/2-inch straight pipes exiting in front of rear wheels
• Oil cooler with remote filter
• 18-quart Galaxie radiator
• 34-gallon fuel tank with 3-1/2-inch quick-release cap and splash funnel
• Stewart-Warner electric fuel pump
• Borg-Warner T10 close-ratio four-speed transmission
• Detroit "No Spin" differential with 3.89 gearing
• Koni shocks
• Lowered A-arms
• 1-inch front sway bar
• Export brace and Monte Carlo bar
• 19:1 quick steering ratio
• Override traction bars
• 11.3-inch front disc brakes
• 10x2-1/2-inch rear drum brakes
• Four-point rollbar
• 3-inch competition lap belts with shoulder harness
• 16-inch three-spoke steering wheel
• CS gauges housed in special panel
• 15x7-inch American Racing magnesium wheels
• Racing-type locking devices on hood and trunk

https://www.motortrend.com/features/mump-0706-shelby-group-restoration/

Edited December 3, 2021 by afx

[afx]

45 minutes ago, mk11 said:

Kidding about the arms. Mentioned the bronco diff because amt provided only an 8" diff in their '67 Mustangs. The revell 29/31 kits and the '39 wagonrod  also have pretty accurate 9" diffs.

Does a Detroit "No Spin" differential determine the size - 8" vs. 9"?

[65slotcar]

JC,  looking good so far .        All Detroit  lockers in  early  Shelby's   were  9   inch  diffs.   Even  the   65  Shelby street  model  had   Detroit  lockers  and   there are stories  of new owners thinking the car was broke because  of how  a locker works, bangs  , clanks  and makes the tires chirp at low speeds.   i have owned a couple  locker equipped  cars  and they are interesting to say  the least

 

[afx]

Rear axle from car 12 of 16 - looks like a 9" diff.

Edited December 3, 2021 by afx

[afx]

Over-ride traction bar mount under the rear seat.

[Phildaupho]

Great project and one that I have wanted to pursue using similar components as you are.

A number of years ago I built a 1/24 Notchback Mustang A/Sedan by converting a convertible into a notchback and using GT350R parts.