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 Division 1,
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.
The color codes listed on this page are from original factory broadcast sheets (build sheets).
FRONT SUSPENSION
Coil Springs
Coil Springs were painted semi-gloss black. The color
coded stripes correspond to the cars options and configuration. In the case of
the KR fastbacks, two identical cars could have different color codes, based on
their build dates. KR fastbacks started out using the Gold/Gray spring and then
switched to the more common Gold/Pink. See the chart at the bottom of the page
for the correct color codes for your application. If you are working on a
Mustang, the Master Parts Catalog may be of assistance.
Spring
Seats
The Spring Seats are natural in color. You can use a bare steel
paint. Original seats have a Ford trademark and a manufacture stamp on the side.
Upper Control Arms
These
were also bare steel. I have not found any originals that had black paint on
them yet. One way to spot an original upper control arm is look for the four
rivets holding the upper ball joint. If you have three rivets or bolts, the ball
joints have probably been replaced. The upper control arm pivot, also natural,
usually has a yellow paint daub on it.
Spindle
The spindle is natural. Many people mistakenly believe these are cast iron. They are actually forged steel. Spindles have a very dark finish. This is a result of the forging process.
Look for color codes at the
top and on the legs. The spindle should also have the cork gasket. The gasket
will keep the disc brake, dust shield from rattling. Contrary to popular belief,
I think it is unlikely that the left and right suspension components are always
coded green and yellow.
Lower
Control Arms
Lower Control Arms are also natural. However, most of the
arm is dipped in semi-gloss black. This gives the part a very unique appearance.
Original arms also have two small brackets on the bottom. Ball joints should be
riveted to the arms.
Front Shocks
Front shocks on all 1968 Shelbys were originally
Autolite adjustables. The shock was a dark blue color. These were made by
Gabriel. The originals carry a "Z7ZD-18045-A" identification number. Koni shocks
were not used at the factory in 1968.
Strut Rods
The struts are natural. Actually they were originally phosphated.
Even though the strut rod is steel, they typically have a dark finish.
REAR
SUSPENSION
Leaf Springs
Leaf Springs were unpainted. Again, I prefer to use
the cast iron paint to represent the factory phosphate coating, which is a dark
gray. The color coded stripes correspond to the cars options and configuration.
The springs also have an engineering identification stamping. See the chart at
the bottom of the page for the correct color codes for your application. I have
seen rear springs color coded in different areas. The spring hangers are
natural in color.
Rear Shocks
On GT350s, GT500s and KR automatic transmission cars,
the rear shocks are Autolite. These were painted blue and carried the ID number
"Z7ZD-18080-A". The actual part number is C7ZZ-18080-A.
They were made by Gabriel.
Build sheets for KR 4spd cars list
the code "ORG" for rear shocks. However, these shocks were painted
black in color. They carried an orange paint daub. The ID number is C8ZF-18080-J1.
Shock Mounting Plates
The shock mounting plates are natural in
appearance. All GT350s and GT500s used these shock mounting plates. The GT500 KR, automatic transmission cars also used these plates.
These plates are from a 4spd, GT500 KR. The shock mounting plates on a GT500 KR with a 4speed
are different because of the staggered shock arrangement. 1968 GT500 KR, 4spds were the only 1968 Shelbys
to use the staggered shocks. The 4spd plates are stamped "428L" and "428R".
Rear Axle
The rear axle has many details. Basically, the carrier
(pumpkin) is a red oxide primer. The housing is semi-gloss black. Very commonly
the axle codes are written on the axle housing. Especially the last four digits
of the build sheet code (refer to the chart)
Driveshaft
Lastly, a correctly striped driveshaft. The driveshaft
is bare steel, the yokes may have orange paint daubs on them. This one is
striped; light blue, dark blue, red and is correct for GT500 convertible with an
automatic transmission. Stripes are about 1/2 inch wide; separated by two inch
spaces. The first stripe is approximately 14 inches back on the shaft.
The Best 1968 Shelby Axle Chart
| Model |
Trans |
Axle Type |
Door
Code |
Axle Tag Codes |
Ratio |
Build Sheet
Code |
| GT 350 |
Auto |
Conventional |
8 |
"WES-U" / 935 |
3.50:1 |
8935A |
| GT 350 |
4spd |
Conventional |
1 |
"C8ZX-A" / 960 |
3.89:1 |
4001A |
| GT 350 |
Auto w/AC |
Conventional |
8 |
"WES-U" / 935 |
3.50:1 |
8935A |
| GT 350 |
4spd w/AC |
Conventional |
1 |
"C8ZX-A" / 960 |
3.89:1 |
4001A |
| GT 500 |
Auto |
Conventional |
8 |
"WES-U" / 935 |
3.50:1 |
8935A |
| GT 500 |
4spd |
Conventional |
8 |
"WES-U" / 935 |
3.50:1 |
8935A |
| GT 500 |
Auto w/AC |
Conventional |
6 |
"C8ZX-G" / 968 |
3.00:1 |
4001G |
| GT 500 |
4spd w/AC |
Conventional |
6 |
"C8ZX-G" / 968 |
3.00:1 |
4001G |
| GT 500 KR |
Auto |
Traction-lok |
H |
"WFD-A" / 945 |
3.50:1 |
8945A |
| GT 500 KR |
4spd |
Traction-lok |
H |
"WFD-F" / 981 |
3.50:1 |
8981A |
| GT 500 KR |
Auto w/AC |
Conventional |
6 |
"C8ZX-G" / 968 |
3.00:1 |
4001G |
| GT 500 KR |
4spd w/AC |
Traction-lok |
7 |
"C8ZX-M" / 967 |
3.00:1 |
4001M |
the "concours color coding
chart"
| Model |
Transmission |
Front Spring |
Front Spring w/AC |
Rear Spring |
Shocks |
Driveshaft |
| 350 FB |
Automatic |
YEL ORG |
YEL ORG |
BROWN |
Z7ZD-A |
LBLU DBLU PK |
| 350 FB |
4 Speed |
YEL ORG |
YEL TAN |
BROWN |
Z7ZD-A |
LBLU DBLU PK |
| 350 CNV |
Automatic |
YEL ORG |
YEL TAN |
ORANGE |
Z7ZD-A |
LBLU DBLU PK |
| 350 CNV |
4 Speed |
YEL TAN |
YEL TAN |
ORANGE |
Z7ZD-A |
LBLU DBLU PK |
| 500 FB |
Automatic |
GLD PNK |
GLD PNK |
BROWN |
Z7ZD-A |
LBLU DBLU RD |
| 500 FB |
4 Speed |
GLD PNK |
GLD GRY |
BROWN |
Z7ZD-A |
WHT ORG YEL |
| 500 CNV |
Automatic |
GLD PNK |
GLD GRY |
ORANGE |
Z7ZD-A |
LBLU DBLU RD |
| 500 CNV |
4 Speed |
GLD GRY |
GLD GRY |
ORANGE |
Z7ZD-A |
WHT ORG YEL |
| KR FB |
Automatic |
GLD PNK |
GLD PNK |
ORANGE |
Z7ZD-A |
LBLU DBLU RD |
| KR FB |
4 Speed |
GLD PNK |
GLD PNK |
ORANGE |
Z7ZD-A/ORG |
AZUR ORG YEL |
| KR CNV |
Automatic |
GLD GRY |
GLD GRY |
ORANGE |
Z7ZD-A |
LBLU DBLU RD |
| KR CNV |
4 Speed |
GLD GRY |
GLD GRY |
ORANGE |
Z7ZD-A/ORG |
AZUR ORG YEL |
The color codes on this chart
are taken directly from factory build sheets for 1968 Shelbys. Other
combinations and color codes may exist. GT500 4speed cars do NOT have a color
listed on their build sheets. Those colors listed were supplied by an owner. Now
you will know where to look and what to look for...
HOME