Original 1968 Shelby GT 350 Mustang Interior
How do you decide to purchase original parts or reproduction parts for your Classic Mustang? In most cases, original parts fit the best. Reproduction parts are often flimsy and not of the finest quality. For instance, original Mustang fenders fit and line up nicely with the door, while some reproduction fenders are made of a lesser gauge steel and do not line up well.
In the early days of the reproduction industry, the parts were made with presses and dyes that were worn down from the original assembly line machinery. As a result, these inferior reproduction parts did not offer the best fit, nor did they offer the quality that the original parts did. In recent years, reproduction parts have gotten better, but are still of inferior quality.
Ford recently began to offer original Ford tooling body panels. These panels offer good fit and quality, but still need a little fitting work when installing them on a Mustang. Unfortunately, these tooling parts are expensive and run about double the price of other reproduction parts.
Original parts, being between 40-45 years old, often need a little clean-up. However, once original parts have been restored and placed on a Mustang, the Mustang’s appearance and value have been preserved and the fit is all-original.
