Concours Correct Parts?

This page describes parts that are being sold as "concours-correct" or "original Ford" that are in fact not correct for a concours restoration. In some cases, the parts are correct for one model year but not all, and in other cases the parts are just flat-out wrong or mis-identified. Where possible I'll provide contact info for the individuals who have brought such information to my attention. If you come across such a part or advertisement for a part, please point me to it so we can all understand the difference(s).

1968 Accelerator Shaft

Robert Zink reports that a reproduced 1968 accelerator shaft (the part that passes through the firewall) is not correct for 1968 CJ-equipped vehicles. Here's Robert's report:

"Ford shows a unique part # for the big block accelerator shaft versus the small block shaft. My GT500KR with a C6 would not kick down when flooring the accelerator. For 2 years I tried everything to correct the problem with no success. Finally out of desperation I thought the accelerator shaft may be damaged and removed it (yes it can be done without removing the engine). After inspecting the part and doing some research in the Ford parts books I realized that the big block part was unique. I began a search for what turned out to be a very difficult and expensive part to obtain. After sending out a mass email, I finally found one in British Columbia in a '67 Cougar 390 with a C6. I bought it for $35 which is a bargain since the only other one I found in the states was $200. When the part arrived I compared the shaft I removed from my car to the one from the Cougar. After 10 minutes of careful inspection from several different angles I could not see any difference. I walked away from the project discouraged and returned 2 hours later. After further comparison I did detect a difference and was very pleased. The difference is very, very slight but it is there. After installing the correct big block shaft my KR kicks down with the best of them.

A few years ago, I spoke to the manufacturer of a repro 1968 shaft and he did not realize that there were different Ford part numbers for shafts on big blocks than the shafts on small blocks. My guess would be the repro '68 shafts available are for small blocks."

1970 Battery Heat Shield

Jeff Speegle reports that the plastic battery heat shields being sold today are correct for 1967-1969 big block Mustangs, but not 1970 Mustangs. 1970 Mustangs were equipped with a different shield that isn't being reproduced today. The repro of the earlier shield will work, but it's not correct for a concours or thoroghbred restoration. Here's Jeff's report:

"The casting numbers are on the inside againist the long side of the battery. They should be DOOE or B (can't remember which). The part being reproduced is the C7 shield and not the DO** shield. There is a slight difference in the top ridge (the one that shows). Not MCA approved (no big deal if the part is done correctly). D4 shields are close but most of the ones you find are for the 22-24 batteries and not the 27 (most were cut as Ford wanted them, to fit the smaller one)."

Group 27 Battery Tray

Cobra Jet Mustangs were originally equipped with a group 27 battery, one of the larger batteries originally offered in 1968-1970 Mustangs. The larger battery required a larger battery tray that's been unavailable from Ford for a long time. A reproduction tray is available from many vendors. While the tray portion of the reproduction part looks very similar to the original tray, the stand is quite different. The original stand is straight on both sides, where the reproduction stand is angled on the side that faces the rear of the car making the stand narrower at the top than at the bottom. JD Larson of All Classic Mustang, this stand appears to be from a more common group 24 battery tray. While this tray will work and accomodate a group 27 battery, the stand sets it apart from an original tray.

Update: A correct reproduction is now available from Mansfield Mustang. Bill Upham is also reproducing the tray support used to reinforce the apron under the tray.

Shaker Hood Scoop Parts

Tom Faatz reports that a company in Australia named GT Ford Performance is reproducing shaker hood scoop parts in fiberglass. While not at all concours-correct, they allegedly look very accurate and are quite a bit less expensive than the metal originals.

Exhaust System H-pipe

Matt Kunkle reports that the allegedly correct exhaust system H-pipe he bought from a well-known vendor didn't fit without a lot of massaging and removal of the right-side spacer. (Editor's note: It sounds like it might fit late-1970 models that didn't come with the spacer with a little less work.)

1969 and 1970 Front Turn Signal/Parking Lamps

OK, they're not exactly being described as concours-correct. I bought a pair myself when I figured out that my own lamps were beyond hope of restoration. I found that the plating on the lamp housings looks pretty nice, but there are several differences between the repro lamps and original Ford lamps:

Original Lamp Repro Lamp
Uses natural amber 1157NA bulbs Uses clear 1157 bulbs
Lens gasket is gray Lens gasket is white
Lens is marked with Ford ID data Lens is unmarked
Wiring is black-yellow, white-blue (1970) Wiring is black, black-red
Inner surface is reflective Inner surface is plated like the rest of the housing

Most of these differences are minor. You're stuck with the wiring colors, but the other issues can be addressed by replacing the incorrect parts with correct replacements and painting the inner surface of the lamp.