U-HAUL to Don Barry's Mustang in Jacksonville Florida
I have owned this Shelby since 1971. It was, like me, from Michigan. That is a good thing for me, but means something different for cars, namely rust. This project started as another bonding experience with my late father-in-law after completion of our Cobra replica project, which now resides in Paris.
We just had the car painted and the interior needed a little sprucing up. I bought new carpet and upon removing the old I discovered rust in the floorpans. Not just pinholes, I mean big enough to put your fist through. I couldn't just cover the rust with new carpet or it would haunt my dreams, it had to be repaired. I contacted a local body shop for help, but couldn't find anyone who I felt was knowledgeable enough to do work to my standards. I search the Internet and discovered Don Barry's Mustang in Jacksonville. I was impressed with their knowledge of the process and the price was right. I made arrangements to take the car to them and have the floorpans, torque boxes and underside made rust free. This photo is what Don Barry's shop started with.

I can't say enough about the job the guys at Don Barry's did on my Shelby. They not only replaced the rusty metal, the underside of the car is like brand new. It is a pleasure to work on it now. The job they did was just impressive. I had the floorpans and torque boxes and one damaged cowl replaced. They even straightened out a problem with the front fender mounting flanges that was incorrect from a previous repair. The car came back home on another U-HAUL and I started re-assembly. I had to strip her completely down for the floorpan job and since I now live in Florida, I figured it would be a good idea to add a much needed missing factory option. Adding factory air conditioning was a challenge. But, I did my homework and got all the pieces together. It involved replacing the lower dash, upper dash pad and adding all the mechanical components and cutting several holes in the firewall.  Floors look good, eh?
Here is a sample of the work that Don Barry's shop did on the engine bay. It's all clean and ready for the 428 c.i. Cobra Jet to be installed. But not so fast.
I decided that since the transmission was out, and I already did a complete rebuild on the engine, I should really give the C-6 the same respect. I have always wanted to unlock the mystery of an automatic transmission. So I found a rebuild kit and video on the Internet and tore it apart. It took me 3 attempts to get it back together right, but I did it. The video was the key. Without that training, I would be down at AAMCO.
1969 Shelby Mustang GT-500 Restoration
I have owned this Shelby since 1971. It was, like me, from Michigan. That is a good thing for me, but means something different for cars, namely rust. This project started as another bonding experience with my late father-in-law after completion of our Cobra replica project, which now resides in Paris.
We just had the car painted and the interior needed a little sprucing up. I bought new carpet and upon removing the old I discovered rust in the floorpans. Not just pinholes, I mean big enough to put your fist through. I couldn't just cover the rust with new carpet or it would haunt my dreams, it had to be repaired. I contacted a local body shop for help, but couldn't find anyone who I felt was knowledgeable enough to do work to my standards. I search the Internet and discovered Don Barry's Mustang in Jacksonville. I was impressed with their knowledge of the process and the price was right. I made arrangements to take the car to them and have the floorpans, torque boxes and underside made rust free. This photo is what Don Barry's shop started with.

U-HAUL to Don Barry's Mustang in Jacksonville Florida

BACK TOGETHER AGAIN WITH AIR CONDITIONING



AAAAHHHHH!!!
BIG DAY TODAY

Installing the engine is a big event. I have been held up waiting for the exhaust manifold to be sand blasted. Finally got them back and coated. Turned out very nice, too back you can't see them when the big block fills up that engine bay.
Looks fresh doesn't it.
I had to install the engine 3 times to get it right. I forgot the right side manifold must not be on the engine, but must be in the engine bay before the engine goes in. No big deal though, just more fun!
LABOR DAY
Some progress is being made now. The engine is back where it belongs, between the fenders. The carb looks shiny and newly rebuilt. All the air conditioning parts are new, belts, hoses, condenser and dryer. All that's left is the compressor. That will require some more thought, R-12 or 134a. I'm leaning toward the new refrigerant but that means a different compressor.
I'm getting real close to firing the beast up, even without an exhaust system.
I got a little side tracked this weekend cleaning up the front suspension.
Seems the painter really didn't care if he oversprayed my freshly restored suspension components. Most of the rubber dust boots have fallen apart after only 5 years, so I am reworking those pieces to look as good as that engine bay.
The brakes were all nice and clean but now look out of place. Overspray covered the rotors, dust shields & calipers.
Just more fun cleaning, bead blasting (wish I had a bigger air compressor) and painting.
Hope to have this completed in a few weeks after the parts arrive from Mustangs Unlimited.
BEFORE
The front disc brakes, while functional, just don't look detailed enough to put the wheels back on. I just know I wouldn't be happy knowing they looked like this. Let's clean this mess up.
                                                                                                                  AFTER
That's more like the way I want it to look. New rotors, pads and some cleaning and bead blasting made it ready for paint. Worth the effort
MUCH BETTER !
NOVEMBER 9th - Took the Shelby for a test drive around the subdivision. It leaked fuel and coolant. Tightened those things up. Set the timing to 6 degrees BTDC, adjusted the carb and enjoyed the purr of that massive 428 cubic inch motor.  Even without the stripes on the side or the hood in place yet, it still looks fast sitting still.

Things to do yet: New wheels and tires, side stripe installation, detail the trunk, paint hood stripes, align the front end, sort out a small wiring problem, purchase and install the A/C compressor, charge the system with 134a, need new horns and a good wash and wax job. Then we hope to show her off in local shows and enjoy some Sunday cruising.

YIPES STRIPES, THE SHELBY'S GOT 'EM !
The past two weeks I have painted the hood stripes, installed the side stripes (new old stock), had the front end aligned at the local Ford dealer, got an estimate for the exhaust system, put the hood and trim back on and taken several short rides in the Shelby. This is a great hobby! Enjoy the ride!
My baby has new shoes. New wheels, lugs, caps and tires make for better curb appeal.
Looks fast even sitting still !