1969 SHELBY SUSPENSION BASICS

This page will give you a starting point for detailing your car. Keep in mind there were variations on the production line and not all cars were the same. I encourage everyone to do their own research and compare it to what you find here.

If you are going to show the car in MCA Thoroughbred or SAAC , painting natural parts may not be appropriate.

I encourage you to drive your car and enjoy it the way Carroll Shelby intended it to be... Keep in mind, when the cars were new, many of the suspension components would have been rusty, by the time they hit the show room floors!


1969 SHELBY SUSPENSION
from "Small" to "Big" Suspensions

During the 1969 model year, an important change took place. The change to the new F60 series tires required an upgraded suspension. Cars that received these bigger tires also came equipped with larger, front spindles. Two different large spindles were used. Matching rotors and bearings were also necessary.

Tie rods were now thicker than those used on the E70 cars. With larger tie rods comes the need for a different steering drag link.

The struts were also beefier and the upper control arms also changed to provide more clearance for the bigger tires.


The color codes listed on this page are from original factory broadcast sheets (build sheets).





The 1969 "concours color coding chart"

Model Transmission Front Spring Front Spring w/AC Driveshaft Colors
350 Fastback Automatic YEL TAN YEL TAN CH LA WT
350 Fastback 4 Speed YEL TAN YEL TAN LB LA RD
350 Convertible Automatic YEL TAN YEL GLD CH LA WT
350 Convertible 4 Speed YEL TAN YEL TAN LB LA RD
500 Fastback Automatic GLD PNK GLD GRY LB DB RD
500 Fastback 4 Speed GLD PNK N/A LB OR YL
500 Convertible Automatic GLD GRY GLD GRY LB DB RD
500 Convertible 4 Speed GLD PNK N/A LB OR YL
Drag Pac Fastback Automatic GLD PNK N/A DB TN WT
Drag Pac Fastback 4 Speed GLD PNK N/A LB RD WT
Drag Pac Convertible Automatic GLD GRY N/A DB TN WT
Drag Pac Convertible 4 Speed GLD PNK N/A LB RD WT


The color codes on this chart are taken directly from factory build sheets for 1969 Shelbys. Other combinations and color codes may exist. If you have a build sheet that shows color codes for those not listed, please email me. Coralsnake68@hotmail.com




Rear spring colors are listed on the factory build sheets, but all 1969 Shelbys received a set of new leaf springs at AO Smith. The spring identification varied depending on when the car was built. The photograph above is from the Ionia Daily-Sentinel Standard (Jan 29, 1969). The caption reads "COBRA- Shelby Automotive workers putting new springs on the Shelby Mustangs." So, you shouldn't be finding a color coded, rear spring on a Shelby. Note: 1969 "S9MS" springs do have a white marking near the front eyelet, but these are not similar to the factory ID stripes.


1969 Shelby Shock Absorber Information


At the start of production, the shocks were virtually the same as the previous model year. All front shocks were stamped AUTOLITE and painted blue. They were the three way adjustable style. Like 1968, the 1969 shocks were made for Ford by Gabriel. Rear shocks changed according to model and transmission selected.

The GT350s received blue, adjustable front and rear shocks.

The GT500s used a blue, front shock and a rear shock that changed according to the transmission in the car. GT500s with an automatic transmission used blue AUTOLITE adjustables, while the 4 speed cars continued to use the black painted, non-adjustable shocks in the rear.


At the very end of March 1969, Shelby began using new, white colored shock absorbers, with a unique Shelby decal. The front shocks were three way, adjustable AUTOLITEs made by Gabriel. These shocks now carried a "C9ZX-18045-B" ID number.

On GT350s the rear shocks were also white with the same decal. It appears all rear GT350 shocks were white shocks regardless of transmission.

On the GT500s, the rear shocks were again specific to the transmission. The automatic shocks have a "C9ZX-18080-C" part number. The 4 speed shocks were longer and carried a "C9ZX-18080-B" part number. After the change, all the rear shocks were white.


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