Snakehead Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 My car was "released from plant" on 8/28. Ford CS service told me "released from plant" meant the car was done (including stripes, which was my sprecific question) and gave me a dealer ETA of 9/7. Obviously 9/7 came and went and my delaer couldn't provide any detail. Yesterday, I spoke with Ralph Arning, who is the service engineer at Ford's "Mustang PVT" (whatever that means). Ralph was fantastic. He clearly loves the car and is delighted to talk about it and assist customers. This is what I learned: a) "Released from plant" does not means the car has stripes. In fact, its the reverse. B) Ford expected approx 1/2 of the GT500s to have stripes. So far, 90% have been ordered with stripes and this has caused a significant bottleneck at the aftermarket stripe installer (a small aftermarket shop that specializes in Mazda modifications). What should take 2 days (for stripes) is taking approximately one week to ten days. c) 900 cars were held up for quality control and inspected for a serious clutch problem. Six of the 900 cars had the problem. The rest were clean. I didn't think to ask if this remained a continuing problem that required the additional quality checks (sorry). d) Approximately 3,000 GT500s have been built so far. Ford is averaging about 50 a day now. Total 2007 production will be between 9,000 and 10,000, but anything more would be very unlikely due to significant limitations in the number of core drivetrain components. There are definite limits on the number of available trannys and clutchs. In addition, he said Ford is having a tough time keeping up with production of the engines, which are, for the most part, being hand built. e) As of yesterday, my particular car was "in transit" and I should realistically expect the car to be at my dealer any day. f) According to Ralph, Ford is going to great extra lengths on GT500 quality control. There were some initial issues re transport damage, but they have been addressed. Ford would have liked to do individualized closed transit, but with 9,000 plus cars per year the cost would have been prohibitive. Literally, as I was finishing this post, my dealer called me and said the car came in at 11:30 a.m. today. I am picking it up tonight! :happy feet: :happy feet: :happy feet: :happy feet: :happy feet: :happy feet: :happy feet: :happy feet: Vista Blue / White Kennett Square, PA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropping__Chronic Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Congrats!!! Enjoy the tire smoking fun.. Tell the dealer NOT to put any of their badges or stickers on it. Not to put a front license plate on it. And personally I'd tell them not to clean it and clay bar the rail dust off myself, but that's just my preference so they don't scratch up the paint. Congrats again!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomAce Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Congratulations! tsteff got her's today too! Looks like you'll both be having great weekends. Let us have your impressions once you manage to pull your hands off the steering wheel for more than 30 seconds! Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAHOE GT Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Cangratulations!! I look forward to reading your impressions. Enjoy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakehead Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Thanks all. I do have one immediate question: Is the PDI che3cklist for the GT500 significantly different than on the regular Mustang. My dealer said it wasn't any different and that didn't sound right. I'll give everyone a report on Monday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropping__Chronic Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Thanks all. I do have one immediate question: Is the PDI che3cklist for the GT500 significantly different than on the regular Mustang. My dealer said it wasn't any different and that didn't sound right. I'll give everyone a report on Monday. Probably just double check everything, it's their flagship vehicle. I was serious above though, don't let them ugly up your car with their badges and dealer logo crap, and same for the front license plate. If they put holes in your bumper, put holes in their forehead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CertifiedShelbyTech Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Thanks all. I do have one immediate question: Is the PDI che3cklist for the GT500 significantly different than on the regular Mustang. My dealer said it wasn't any different and that didn't sound right. I'll give everyone a report on Monday. snakehead there is specific pdi information to Shelby GT500. Some of the specific is: Tire Pressure Seal on Air Compressor J10 Reset There is also a recent TSB The MY Color is different on Shelby also There are also about a dozen others specific for the shelby There are hundreds of little differences between the Shelby GT500 and standard Fair Mustang GT. Its really incredible as to how much different the 06 GT to 07 Shelby Is. The Shelby GT500 has different spindles, brakes, upper and lower control arms, different sheet metal, sway bars, springs, of course the engine and trans, driveshaft assy, rear axle bearings, ring gear mounting, the a/c system is different, extra support braces in chassis and on and on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StangFinally Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 snakehead there is specific pdi information to Shelby GT500. Some of the specific is: Tire Pressure Seal on Air Compressor J10 Reset There is also a recent TSB The MY Color is different on Shelby also There are also about a dozen others specific for the shelby There are hundreds of little differences between the Shelby GT500 and standard Fair Mustang GT. Its really incredible as to how much different the 06 GT to 07 Shelby Is. The Shelby GT500 has different spindles, brakes, upper and lower control arms, different sheet metal, sway bars, springs, of course the engine and trans, driveshaft assy, rear axle bearings, ring gear mounting, the a/c system is different, extra support braces in chassis and on and on. This is awesome information... what is J10 reset and with is the recent TSB?? Thanks for your insight.. Bert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobraCrazy Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Snakehead, Congratulations! :happy feet: CC Also meant to mention I had the same positive experience with Ralph. He's a class act, a positive for Ford for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alloy Dave Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 My car was "released from plant" on 8/28. Ford CS service told me "released from plant" meant the car was done (including stripes, which was my sprecific question) and gave me a dealer ETA of 9/7. Obviously 9/7 came and went and my delaer couldn't provide any detail. Yesterday, I spoke with Ralph Arning, who is the service engineer at Ford's "Mustang PVT" (whatever that means). Ralph was fantastic. He clearly loves the car and is delighted to talk about it and assist customers. This is what I learned: Kennett Square, PA Wow, all excellent info, great post...and congrats on the new car. Now we'll want pics of course. Dave :bandance: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66GT HIPO Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 HOW CAN I CONTACT RALPH?? ANYBODY HAVE HIS NUMBER. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yenrod Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 HOW CAN I CONTACT RALPH?? ANYBODY HAVE HIS NUMBER. Ralph Arning, and you will likely need the last name. 7347827800 And he is the best source of info, besides this site, I have found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StangFinally Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Ralph Arning, and you will likely need the last name. 7347827800 And he is the best source of info, besides this site, I have found. Ralph has been awesome.... even with everyone calling to find out where there cars are. He gave me all the details I could ever want on mine as well. He is a genuine car guy from his comments and has respect for the situation we are in with the delays. Definitely an asset to Ford... >> any way we can get together and show our appreciation for him?? anyone got any ideas.... He joked with me that maybe he should be compensated by this site for all the traffic he is bringing in... Bert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alloy Dave Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Ralph has been awesome.... even with everyone calling to find out where there cars are. He gave me all the details I could ever want on mine as well. He is a genuine car guy from his comments and has respect for the situation we are in with the delays. Definitely an asset to Ford... >> any way we can get together and show our appreciation for him?? anyone got any ideas.... He joked with me that maybe he should be compensated by this site for all the traffic he is bringing in... Bert It's a bit of a catch-22. Sometimes recognition is the best reward...so a first thought is to write a letter to Ford. However, drawing attention to the fact that he is helping us may have unintended negative consequences. This is a tough call. Perhaps it would be better to thank him only...not tell Ford anything. We could route a "thank you" card by each person writing a short paragraph in Microsoft Word, having one person on the forum keep the master copy and put them all in one document, and then send it to him in a letter. I've not used Ralph's help yet, but I may need him in the future. I'm good with Microsoft Word and would be glad to consolidate all the comments...I can even cut and paste from right here in the forum. We could even put some photos in with the letter. Someone would have to get his exact mailing address to make this successful though. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StangFinally Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 It's a bit of a catch-22. Sometimes recognition is the best reward...so a first thought is to write a letter to Ford. However, drawing attention to the fact that he is helping us may have unintended negative consequences. This is a tough call. Perhaps it would be better to thank him only...not tell Ford anything. We could route a "thank you" card by each person writing a short paragraph in Microsoft Word, having one person on the forum keep the master copy and put them all in one document, and then send it to him in a letter. I've not used Ralph's help yet, but I may need him in the future. I'm good with Microsoft Word and would be glad to consolidate all the comments...I can even cut and paste from right here in the forum. We could even put some photos in with the letter. Someone would have to get his exact mailing address to make this successful though. Dave Hi Dave... I agree... I don't want to make Ralph the leak!!! He if very helpful and will answer any question you have... at least that is how he treated me. I do like your idea of putting together messages back to him from those he has helped... would be great to get him to any reunion there is to!! He certainly has pride in his job... Bert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsteff Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Congrats on the new arrival, Snakehead! I know that about right now you are loving your new ride, I know I am. My Perf. White/Vista Blue was delivered sometime in the very early am yesterday, and was at the dealer before they opened. I was omg crazy excited. And I must say the car is awesome in every aspect... you have no idea until ya drive it. About Ralph, he is (I think) the most knowledgeable guy in reference to anything you need to know about your new Shelby, I called him on 2 occasions, and on both he was extremely polite, helpful, and understanding of the PSDS issues we all have at one point or another. I would love to thank him for all of his help. Seems to be a great guy all around. So, I guess we should start a new topic maybe titled Thanks, Ralph or something to that effect... I know first hand that kind words from others really mean alot to people, I think he would appreciate it. Sincerely, Theresa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobraCrazy Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 I'd gladly participate in any way we could all show Ralph our appreciation for his positive attitude and professionalism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snakehead Posted September 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 I wholeheartedly agree that a number of us here on this forum owe Ralph Arning a special thanks. I will go along with any reasonable ideas as to how to convey our appreciation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b17drvr Posted September 16, 2006 Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 Congrats! The Shelby is worth the wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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