ceswert Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 I found out this week that the engine block and internals in my newly purchased GT350 had been stolen 30 years ago. The rightful owner purchased a 66 GT350 new Years later he had his block at an engine shop for some repair. The shop owner went out of business and took the engine with him. Well, it ended up in my car. My car's original had been destroyed when racing.This all happened in the San Francisco bay area. A registrar at SAAC found this after I had my car examined by a Shelby judge, Jeff Speegle. The owner was contacted and told of the situation. I had a nice conversation with him. We decided to swap blocks and internals. He has a non HP setup though the code is a 65 K. I will be recovering all my mechanic's costs associated with the trade. All in all it was quite an experience. How many times is an owner reunited with his original engine block after 30 years? The SAAC registry really came through! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali_KR Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 That is one heck of a story Charles. SAAC certainly does a great job with the history of the vintage cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matts Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 That's actually a really cool story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceswert Posted February 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 SAAC is really fantastic. What a great wealth of knowledge and data they possess. It really is a cool story. I am so glad the gentleman got his matching #'s engine block back! Thanks for the comments! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyarnelli Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 SAAC is really fantastic. What a great wealth of knowledge and data they possess. It really is a cool story. I am so glad the gentleman got his matching #'s engine block back! Thanks for the comments! That is story is all most unbeliveable. Great Job to everyone envolved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffJ Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 That is a great story! Cudos to you for working with the original owner of the block. That is quite the story for his matching numbers now, and now harm to your car. Very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richstang Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 That was very kind of you to swap blocks back to get the original back to the '66 owners car. Hopefully you are getting taken care of on your generousity. It is amazing that the SAAC crew were able to figure that out and put the two of you in contact with each other. Hopefully your getting a well built motor in the exchange. I'd bet the '66 owner is thrilled with this discovery. will you have it all sorted before Carlilse or SAAC 37? Hope to see you there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HARALD KELLEY Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Verey cool. Nice of you to assist in making this happen. While SAAC reveiled the history, your unselfishness should also be recognized. Kudos to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Wow; this is really something. I'll be telling this story for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVT NAJA Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Here's to you Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkGT500nCA Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 That's an awesome story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mywickedshelby Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 That is a great story. Congratulations to you and the lucky original owner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceswert Posted February 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2012 Thanks to all for your kind and supportive words. For us, Shelby's are an important and emotional part of our lives. If I can make a Shelby guy's life a little more complete, then that makes my life a little more complete. ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT/SC#0471 Posted February 22, 2012 Report Share Posted February 22, 2012 Wow. So what would have happened if you said no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 So how did meeting up and swapping engines work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT/SC#0471 Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 Also if you are a reader or subscriber to sportscar market magazine this would make a GREAT article for the monthly Legal Files coloum with a cool ending! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffIsHereToo Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 Nice story and a great validation of how important a registry is...and good owners! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jer Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 The most amazing part of this story ISN'T that the engine was found so much later. It's actually YOUR generosity and integrity. Wow. THAT's how people need to treat each other! WELL done! Jer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Johnston Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Well said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceswert Posted March 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2012 If I would have said no the rightful owner he would not have been able to do much. I would have had his block but my conscience would have gotten the best of me. The initial meeting went well. It took place at a mechanic's shop. It is amazing how the process seemed so easy at first. As we got more into it the event became increasingly complex. For instance, what type 289 block did he have? He is getting me codes and vin this weekend. What exactly are we swapping? Just the small blocks, which makes it pretty easy. Once we can look into each block, what about the condition? We will probably negotiate as we go along. The mechanic is totally neutral. It will be interesting. The rightful owner is a nice, fair guy and a longtime Shelby owner. I am confident we will end up with a clean deal with no bad feelings or complications. We both know that this swap is important. Things will be set straight. It won't really cost me anything as I have very good financial backup. I still feel good about this deal, but I will be glad when it is over! Thanks for everyone's support and interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT/SC#0471 Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 Very cool, your a real car guy, awesome story. Maybe a stroker motor for your car next? Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceswert Posted March 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 The short block I am swapping for IS a 289 K code Hipo, 1966 vintage. Actual swap will start in 2 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown Away Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 The short block I am swapping for IS a 289 K code Hipo, 1966 vintage. Actual swap will start in 2 weeks. Cool!!! Keep us informed how it goes. Like others have said, it is great of you to do this for the original owner. Glad it is working out for both of you. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceswert Posted May 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Finally found the correct Hipo short block in NY. Will have it properly restored.and ship it west. Finally I can move forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug_GT350 Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I had a guy I work with tell me he was looking for a K code to start a project. I found him one last year at Carlisle complete, disassembled and cleaned for $3300.00. His comment was "I don't want to spend that much".......... I quit looking for him! Good luck with your project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceswert Posted May 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Yikes! What a steal!! I will get some pix up when it comes in. Thanks for the reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiaCobra Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Cool story. I'm gonna follow it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shel-b001 Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Ceswert What a true honest & sincere car guy , great story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HARALD KELLEY Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 when you get it. Again, very cool sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersnake94 Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 From what I heard, a lot of guys did that in 60s, especially with the GT-H cars. They would rent them, swap out the GT-H motor and put it into their own car for use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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