PoFoMoCo's 1971 Shelby Europa build October 2022

[PoFoMoCo]

A friend of mine, here in Lubbock, had this decent repro Shelby Cobra wood auto-shifter handle. But, it had a couple of rough places in the clear, it was too "glossy" and the color wasn't quite right. I worked on it this week too, I think it turned out allright. I polished the chrome, buffed the emblem, cleaned up the glue around the emblem, sanded down the clear, re-stained it to the right color and applied a couple of coats of matte clear for the correct topcoat.

If I come across an original, that is not over-priced, I may replace it but I think this one turned out presentable.
Here is a picture of Dr. Harvima's interior and the original wooden shifter handle.

 

[timachone]

Wow, I like your plans of your new project and how it turns out step by step! You do some awesome work on replicating the small details!

As a German guy I have always wondered about the Shelby Europa, read every story, article and picture about them available. But I never have seen one in real. As an owner of another seldom species, a real T5 Mach 1 from 1973, delivered to Schwabengarage Stuttgart in 1973, I know your feelings. It's one of 22 sportsroof-body cars with a 351c 4V and 4-speed for Germany, with all the other options sure a one of one. But thank god it came with all the special T5-goodies still on board, for example the original T5 fender emblems or the orange front parking lights. They are like a unicorn - you will never see one. Or if you have to almost sell your house to get them...
So much respect for fabricating all the special goodies, you have great ideas and the results are amazing! As a guy who restore nearly every bolt of this car I know how much work goes into the details which separate your car from the others...

I love to follow your tribute process!

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Thanks Tim I appreciate the reply.

I really enjoy working on a classic car, but I get the greatest joy when I can take an old part and restore it close to its original condition. Don’t get me wrong, when a new part is necessary I appreciate a well made reproduction part but I try to not take that route unless it’s 100% necessary. I got into the hobby when eBay was in its infancy and prior to that you really relied on having a good parts car, scrounging through swap meets and local car club members for resources.

So, with this Europa project, many of the parts are never going to be available and you have to take some creative liberties to accomplish the build. Thanks is for the encouragement!

 

[mrgmhale]

Thank you GM, I appreciate the post. I love all of your cars and I am in 100% agreement and hope you never have to do any body work on any of your impressive cars. I have spent many hours going thru your pictures, posts and and YouTube videos trying to get as much general information on these cars as I can. They are a wealth of great information. While I've owned several 1971-73 mustangs, I've never spent the time gaining real knowledge as I am now. I have always been a 1965-69 guy and as you know, these cars are remarkably different and special.

I must admit, now that I am fully invested in this body style I'm in real trouble. My '73 Q Code Mach 1 is still in the family and has been in stored, since 2010, in a climate controlled shop in the Texas desert. It's not in the same condition as it was when I sold it to my nephew in 2003 as he drove it thru high school and college. Its had some bumps and bruises along the way and in spring of 2004, he and I replaced the passenger door and door glass from a good parts car after a parking lot mishap. I guess he missed the part of Drivers ED when they teach you not leave your door open in a parking lot while 100's of high school kids leave campus for lunch. Let's just say the door, door glass and hinges weren't repairable after the incident. Pretty soon after college, marriage and now 2 kids he parked it. He's not selling yet, but he's wavering under my relentless texts.

Lynda and I recognize how fortunate we are in having the kind of pony cars that in our little corral. They get the best care, only quality parts, and with any kind of work being done, it is done meticulously, I hope to pass them down to our kids and grandkids, and when that day comes I further hope they will still be in the near-perfect condition they are in now. I can't imagine having to part with any of our cars. I have done that before (sold a 69 Mach 1 back in 1976, and regretted it ever since. Sadly, the 69 Mach 1 met a tragic fate with the person who purchased it from me. A Los Angeles trash truck drove into and over its rear, when said truck was backing up with no ground guide. As you can see in the photo the Mustang was totaled, likely several times over. The guy who purchased ht Mach 1 from me was inside the car when it was crushed in the rear. He could not get the doors open, and was trapped in the driver seat. At least one leg was broken due to how the floor pan buckled inside the car. It could have been worse.

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Wow…. the Mach 1. That’s hard to look at.

Yes, your stable is definitely a legacy for your children and grand children. They are very blessed to have you and Lynda.

 

[RIBS]

Very nice! FYI the 2 post latch support I think was 71 only, and only early 71’s? I had a 2 post on my December 4, 1970 build of my 71. It also take a different front valance, with 2 mount holes instead of 1 center one…( I have my original 2 post and 2 hole valance in the basement if you find any need….

also, I am doing a 72 Sprint Tribute, it will be almost identical to the actual 72 Sprint convertible, but always known as a tribute. The owners on the Sprint FB group have been very welcoming….

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Ribs, thanks for the reply. I have enjoyed your current 71 build thread and I look forward to your 72 Sprint build. I’m sure it will be as exceptional as the 71.

Thanks for the parts offer, I will definitely let you know if I need the front valance.

 

[PoFoMoCo]

About a month ago I scored a really nice set of matched 15 x 7 Shelby Cal 500 slotted mags. They were located on FBook Marketplace in El Paso, Tx. A friend snagged them for me and stored them until I could get there to pick them up. Yesterday I drove to El Paso to finally pick up the wheels. They are a little dirty but in really good shape for their age. I see a couple of hours of cleaning and restoration in my future.

I'm slowly locating Europa correct pieces as I come across them. I'm still looking for a full set of original Shelby Cal 500 wheel caps. If not located I'll grab a set of repro caps, luckily there are some aluminum aftermarket options for caps with 2 1/8 mounting hole spacing.

Here's a picture of Dr. Harvima's original wheel from his medium brown convertible.

 

[72MustangSprint]

About a month ago I scored a really nice set of matched 15 x 7 Shelby Cal 500 slotted mags. They were located on FBook Marketplace in El Paso, Tx. A friend snagged them for me and stored them until I could get there to pick them up. Yesterday I drove to El Paso to finally pick up the wheels. They are a little dirty but in really good shape for their age. I see a couple of hours of cleaning and restoration in my future.

I'm slowly locating Europa correct pieces as I come across them. I'm still looking for a full set of original Shelby Cal 500 wheel caps. If not located I'll grab a set of repro caps, luckily there are some aluminum aftermarket options for caps with 2 1/8 mounting hole spacing.

Here's a picture of Dr. Harvima's original wheel from his medium brown convertible.

View attachment 70812

Nice score

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Decided to kill a little time today & worked on the Europa gas cap. I mocked up the aluminum piece to a donor standard mustang gas cap. I'm not sure if this will be the finished product or if I'll look for another aluminum piece, I'm on the fence. Either way, I think I'm on the right track.

 

[Idaho Chris]

The gas cap is coming out great! Such time and effort on the smallest details is what really distinguishes a build.

Looking forward to watching your progress.

 

[Horsin' Around]

Awesome project! Have you decided on a colors for your Europa?

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Awesome project! Have you decided on a colors for your Europa?

I’ll keep it the original color, light pewter metallic and add the black Shelby Europa GT350 or GT500 stripes. I’ll use a couple of SD stripe kits for the 1970 Shelby to replicate the stripes. I’ll paint the NASA hood in black to match the stripes as well.

I’m still sourcing the ram air hood and ram air parts. Most likely I’ll just grab a repro kit, but I’m waiting to make sure before I spend the money and regret not sourcing it NOS or reconditioning an original.

 

[tpj71mach]

I’ll keep it the original color, light pewter metallic and add the black Shelby Europa GT350 or GT500 stripes. I’ll use a couple of SD stripe kits for the 1970 Shelby to replicate the stripes. I’ll paint the NASA hood in black to match the stripes as well.

I’m still sourcing the ram air hood and ram air parts. Most likely I’ll just grab a repro kit, but I’m waiting to make sure before I spend the money and regret not sourcing it NOS or reconditioning an original.

Can't wait to see it done, it's going to look great!

 

[PoFoMoCo]

I found a decent set of 5 dog-ear (2 1/8) wheel center caps and ordered custom color-keyed 36mm 3D Shelby Cobra emblems. The emblems are still enroute from the shop so I mocked up one just to see if I liked it. In a couple of days I'll media blast the backsides of the wheels and start the restoration & polish process for the fronts. Just trying to stay true to the original builds.....

As always, my reference is Dr. Harvima's medium brown convertible...

 

[Sheriff41]

Looks spot on! Those are going to polish up nicely.

 

[tpj71mach]

Looks spot on! Those are going to polish up nicely.

I agree they look great and they should clean up like new!

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Looks spot on! Those are going to polish up nicely.

I agree they look great and they should clean up like new!

I think so as well. I media blasted the backside, hubs and slots of all 4 wheels to remove years of dirt, stain, debris and what I believe to be some kind of flat black wheel paint. It fought me to the bitter end. LOL I also hit them with a little aluminum preclean. The big boy toys come out this weekend to correct any deep marks and imperfections in the aluminum before I really clean and polish everything to their final finish.

Here's the before and after...

 

[PoFoMoCo]

Moving forward and a little closer. The cap is 95% done, only detail work and mount the emblem and this part is car show ready!

 

[tpj71mach]

Looking great! the gas cap looks like an original