As always, our judging efforts with the MCA and owners are to represent the cars as accurately as possible. Obviously, this is tough as there were 3 assembly plants with suspect practices.
What we know: 1. Ford tested the wire radiator hose clamps at the San Jose plant starting during the 66 production cycle. I personally have looked at 2 low mileage, unrestored 67 GT-350s that had the wire clamps. I have also looked at an early 67 Metuchen convertible with the wire clamps, but that may be suspect! 2. Ford implemented the wire clamps across the 3 assembly plants (and all other Ford assembly plants) sometime late in the 68 production cycle. This is most evident on the big-block Fords. I have not been able to come up with anything more concrete.
To cover all bases, the 67-68 concours rules allow either tower or wire clamps. While a restorer can get by with either clamp, the better restorer will take into account what is known and make an appropriate decision on which clamps to use for a given Mustang.
Marty, I believe your high country special is a late June build. As there was slightly more than a month left in the 68 productin cycle, yours is definately a late build. I would expect to see the wire clamps on the radiator hoses and problably would write that in the judging comments. However, I would not deduct any points and I would instruct the other gold card judges to not deduct any points.
Regards,
Pete Morgan
