Topic: Color Verification Shock Tower Cap and Alt. Bracket 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl

[wll17057]

Our 1968 Couple is a Metuchen 6-cyl. 3-speed Manual. 8T01T225520.

Alternator bracket:  It is my understanding alternator brackets on 6-cyl engines were attached to the engine block when it was painted.  Therefore, the alternator bracket carried the same blue engine block color.  The alternator bracket on 8-cylinder engines was not attached to the block when it was painted.  8-cyl alternator brackets were subsequently painted black. 
Our bracket is blue.  We are headed to shows this season and I'm sure we will be told the alternator bracket should be black and not blue.  Is there hard documentation (Ford or Metuchen) somewhere that supports the blue bracket color on our engine?

Shock tower caps:  It is my understanding that there were two suppliers for this part at the Metuchen plant in 1968.  Some supplied black caps while others phosphate and oil caps. Our cap is black.  Similar to above, is there hard documentation somewhere that supports the black finish on our car?  I have seen Metuchen VIN numbers....some noting black and others noting phosphate and oil.  How can we find documentation that would support the black Shock Tower Cap on our car?

Thanks very much.

[Keith Stem]

Refer back to the Judging Rules, they were revised this month. I would follow the rule, as judges our judging sheet are our only written guidance. Without documented proof you could lose some points. I have lost points on items I did not want to change, but the car still got 10 golds in 11 shows. It is your car restore it the way you want.

Shock tower caps for your car by the rule are natural, the trunk will have a mat, and the alternator bracket and adjustment arm should be black.

It was discussed in the last judges meet in December, that there are exceptions to the rule, but it would be difficult to have rules that included all exceptions.

[ruppstang]

I have seen a blue alt. mount on the 6 cil. motor. I would not deduct for it. I think all Metuchen Mustangs had phosphate and oil shock caps. The exception is a Shelby that had the reinforced shock caps that were black. 

[dkknab]

Refer back to the Judging Rules, they were revised this month. I would follow the rule, as judges our judging sheet are our only written guidance. Without documented proof you could lose some points. I have lost points on items I did not want to change, but the car still got 10 golds in 11 shows. It is your car restore it the way you want.

Shock tower caps for your car by the rule are natural, the trunk will have a mat, and the alternator bracket and adjustment arm should be black.

It was discussed in the last judges meet in December, that there are exceptions to the rule, but it would be difficult to have rules that included all exceptions.

I downloaded the new judging sheets.  It would be helpful if changes were identified somehow in the new documents. Guess I'll have to do my own comparison.

[carlite65]

it sure would be very helpful. several years back i was heavily involved in the rules revisions and one of my peeves was highlighting the changes. with mca personnel changes recently those in power now do not feel or see the need for that to occur......shame on them. they are doing a disservice to those who show their cars in competition.

[jwc66k]

it sure would be very helpful. several years back i was heavily involved in the rules revisions and one of my peeves was highlighting the changes. with mca personnel changes recently those in power now do not feel or see the need for that to occur......shame on them. they are doing a disservice to those who show their cars in competition.

The MCA is under new "management", and "it" shows.
Jim