65 Shelby Project Photos

[BillH]

I would like to say it’s finished, but it will really never be finished. The major machine polishing operations are done, at least the parts that I am willing to attempt myself. As a brief history, the car is a 1965 GT-350 Shelby Mustang. It was painted with lacquer in 1980. It was never color sanded, lots of orange peel and DA marks. It spent most of its life clean, waxed and under a car cover. The paint has a lot of cracks, the car really needs to be repainted but that’s not going to happen in the near future. The guys I used to know that I would trust to straighten out the finish have long ago departed this world so I thought I would tackle the project myself. Here is the result. Getting decent photos has been a challenge due to time restraints. All photos are taken without sealant or wax.

Compared to the previous condition, this is a BIG improvement. The last time the car looked this good, it was being unloaded off the transporter at the Shelby American facility in Venice, California.


Thanks for the help, I would have never attempted this otherwise.

[Shane731]

Lucky dog! :dblthumb2:

[BobbyG]

Working on a classic has got to be the tops!

Nice work!! :props:

[Mike Phillips]

Thanks for the help, I would have never attempted this otherwise.




I can't tell you how rewarding it is when someone joins the forum, goes through the normal process of posting questions via a thread, gathers information and then applies what they learn in their garage and in culminates in a success story like yours and with pictures that showcase your talent...

Here's the progression of your research in order from first to now...


Lacquer (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/27197-lacquer.html)

Applying Abrasive Paper and Machine Polisher to Paint! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/27742-applying-abrasive-paper-machine-polisher-paint.html)

Using The Orbital After Wet Sanding (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/28195-using-orbital-after-wet-sanding.html)



Looks like it came out great!

I downloaded your attached photos and uploaded them into your gallery here on Autogeek... now they can be inserted...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/MustangFastback02.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/MustangFastback01.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/MustangFastback03.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/MustangFastback04.jpg


Thanks for sharing these photos with us and super thanks for updating us as to your success...

Our primary goal is to help others be successful in their garage...


:dblthumb2:

[redg35]

I am jealous as i love the Shelby's.

[BillH]

Not to turn this into a "love fest" but, as I previously stated, the ONLY reason I even attempted this project was the willingness on your part to help. It takes a very special person who is willing pass on what they have learned doing something that, if it's not done correctly, can result in a lot of very expensive damage to the first thing you see when you look at a car; the paint job. I can not thank you enough.

Friends who have seen the car are astounded at the results. When I told them what I was going to do every one of them indicated that they would NEVER tackle this project. To a person they said there was too much potential to make it look worse than it already did and, to a man they thought I was nuts to even try it.

Once again, thanks to Mike Phillips and everyone who helped.

[Cliffnopus]

Wow great job Bill. That finish looks fantastic.

Cliff

[davidc]

Gotta love real American iron. Looks good

Dave