Topic: 1967 GT Stripe Dimensions (Early San Jose Cars)

[67Smith]

A inquiry about Early Built San Jose cars GT rocker panel GT stripe dimensions.  My original paint car had narrower stripes than currently available thru the various parts vendors.  I ordered a set from from a reputable vendor (not sure if it's OK to mention vendor names on the forum)  and received a set with the "Official Ford Licensed" sticker with a 3007 number on it.  This set had the dimensions of  1/2 inch narrow stripe, 1/4 inch gap, 1-1/2 inch center stripe, the 1/4inch gap then the 1/2 inch narrow stripe.  An overall width of 3 inches was measured.  By the time I noticed this I had media blasted my car and lost my only link to the original dimensions.  After many searches I found a set of dimension that seemed closer to my stripes.  They were measured on an original paint April built San Jose car.  They measured:  3/8 inch narrow stripe, 9/32inch gap, 1-15/32 middle stripe, 9/32inch gap, then 3/8 narrow stripe.
After calling several vendors and getting the same wide dimensions and basically the same response saying that what we sell is correct for all 67 GT cars.  No one had heard of a width difference on early cars.  I'm hoping someone here will be able to confirm my findings and have correct dimensions for early 67 San Jose cars.  I will attach pictures of my car, the stripe kit, and a mock up stripe from the April built car.  I realize and April built car is not an early car but it did have unique/narrower dim. than what is currently sold.  and I know the stripe was not as narrow as a 1965 or 1966 GT stripe.  Any insight would be appreciated.  thank you,

My car:  1967 C-code GT Fastback  The 999 report from Ford Customer Service Division reads as follows:  Production Date: September 29, 1966  Exterior paint color- Burnt Amber, Trim Scheme-Saddle, bucket seat type,GT- Equipment group, Trip odometer, Tachometer, Shoulder harness, Interior/Exterior decor group, 4 speed manual transmission, Standard axle, Tire size-6.50/8.95x14-wide oval nylon-white side walls, Lower back panel grille, Console, Fold down seat, Power steering and AM radio.

[Paperback Writer]

My '67 GTA convertible was built at San Jose on Sept. 22, 1966 and I can confirm the same findings you describe - the original GT stripes (at least on the early SJ cars) had narrow stripes that were 3/8" wide; a wide stripe that was 1-15/32"; and the gaps between the narrow and wide stripes were 9/32" wide.

As you can see in the attached photo below, the reproduction stripes are slightly different that the originals...

[Paperback Writer]

BTW - Here's an old photo of a friend's unrestored '67 GT Fastback that was built in San Jose in Dec. 1966, and it has stripes similar to those shown in your mock-up.  If you ever find a supplier that makes the correct-dimension stripes, please let us know!

[67Smith]

Thank you for your response.  Very appreciated.  It's good to see another Burnt Amber car.  Is that the car you took your dimensions from?  In either case thank you. 

[ruppstang]

If you want that exact stripe you may want to talk with Jeff at R&A Motorsports. They do custom striping. 816-246-9094

[J_Speegle]

Not sure if this is any "early" thing- might just be incorrectly made reproduction. Not like it would be the first time a repo part was off

Ford approved means little when it comes to being like original parts - at least to the level we discuss here

Think we need to find some additional examples that can be measured rather then just eagle eyed

[Paperback Writer]

67Smith - Yes, these dimensions are from my Burnt Amber car before it was restored (but you may be disappointed to learn that I had it painted Nightmist Blue during the restoration).

Marty - Thanks for the info!  I remember looking at '67 stripe kits from 2-3 different parts vendors during the restoration of my car, but they were all the 3" Stripes (1/2" Narrow Stripe; 1/4" Gap; 1-1/2" Wide Stripe; 1/4" Gap; 1/2" Narrow Stripe) that 67Smith mentions finding (and all were manufactured by a company called Decal Magic in Edinburg, VA).  While they look nice on my car, they are dimensionally incorrect.  I'll keep them for now, but I may have to give R&A a call if at some point in the future I decide that I simply cannot live with the 3" Stripes anymore...

Jeff - this is more than just an "eagle-eye estimate".  Years ago, I measured and wrote-down the dimensions of the stripes on my car and created a GTA Emblem Location drawing to help with the restoration (see first attachment).  Unfortunately, I don't think I ever took a photo of the stripes with ruler next to them (or if I did, I haven't found the photo yet - this was back in the days before I had a digital camera).  However, I still have a chunk of the old passenger side quarter panel with part of the original stripe on it, so we can at least verify (see second attachment) that the narrow stripes and the gaps are more like the ones 67Smith describes (and it's really the narrow stripes where the repros are the most incorrect, as the middle stripe and gaps are only off by 1/32 of an inch each)...

Cheers!

[67gta289]

Maybe we can get a group order going, just in case there is a setup fee.  I'm in for a set in white.

[67gta289]

Here is some information from another original SJ GT vin 7R02C176...

The stripes and gaps measure, from bottom to top, 11/32", 9/32", 1 7/16", 9/32", 11/32".
Apparently I am not absolutely accurate, as overall it appears to be 2.75", while the sum of the above is 2 11/16". I gained a 16th inch somewhere.

Picture below.

Very similar to 67Smith posted information.  Certainly not what the current readily available supply looks like.

[J_Speegle]

Thanks John for keeping your eyes open from other examples and providing additional data points

[67Smith]

Absolutely,  Thank you for taking the time for adding to the post.  I did do some more research and it seems like any reputable vinyl sign maker that uses 3M products can reproduce a set of these with the correct Scotch Cal 7725 cast vinyl.  A couple interesting notes on vinyl material.  There are "cast" vinyls and "calendared" vinyls.  Cast vinyls are created by casting the vinyl in a mold of the appropriate thickness while "calendared" vinyl finds it's finished size by being ran through a set of rollers until the final thickness is achieved.  Cast vinyls are more stable and less likely to shrink over time.  They are more expensive.    Calendared vinyls tend to shrink exposing adhesive along the edges.  They overall durability is also less then the "cast" vinyls.  Either case, having a local vendor make a set of stripes is quite a bit more money than buying the off-the-shelf stripes for the various Mustang vendors.  I was quoted a price of $85.00 for a set of stripes and 75.00/hour for and install fee.  Most likely a two hour job in his estimate.   Anyway just a little FYI,.......  Thanks again for everyones feedback.

[67gtasanjose]

Interesting read. Several years ago I bought a pair of NOS part number C7ZZ-6520000-B OE Ford stripe kits in a blue & white Ford box, so I pulled them out today to check their dimensions. The outer stripe IS 1/2" & the gaps are 1/4", total of 3 inches. Part numbers on the seperate pieces out of one box are C7ZB 16D116 A1H, C7ZB 65291C52 A1H, C7ZB 65208A08 A1M. There may be a suffix number at the end of two of these, but the suffix numbering isn't clear.

Perhaps the later stripes were indeed a different size? Has this been confirmed? Or do I simply have re-pops in a Ford box? The makings on the paper backing are "Scotchcal" brand film 3M

[J_Speegle]

......Perhaps the later stripes were indeed a different size? Has this been confirmed? Or do I simply have re-pops in a Ford box? The makings on the paper backing are "Scotchcal" brand film 3M

Its possible (would not be the first example of this   that the service replacements were different from the originals. Especially if this is a set from the 80's or 90's

[67gta289]

7T02S119925 on ebay has these stripes (top 2 pics)

Red fender pics from a rust free fender from Texas I just picked up.

Bottom blue fender pics from a 1982 restoration that used Ford NOS.  We know that the Ford service/NOS parts are not always factory correct.

[67gtasanjose]

John, your last 2 pictures are of the same as the set I have. I'll probably sell them since mine ought to be the other, narrower ones that this post is about.

Anybody want a set of 80's NOS Ford white GT stripes?