67 Competition Handling Package???

1st Official Post

    My question is,


    What is the differences between the competition package leaf springs and non comp leaf springs? This came on a 67 K code.


    I have read on a web site that the leaf springs 165 lbs vs 150 lbs?


    Any thoughts or web sites would help!

    Thanks :)

    Edited once, last by SixT5HiPo (June 10, 2007 at 6:53 PM).

    All '67 K-Codes HAD to be GTs. All the GTs used the Competition Handling Package. The springs were either 625 lbs. or 650 lbs. depending on the body style and time of production. This is on Page 178 of the 4th Edition.

    Marv,


    I completely agree with your statement about the fact that all '67 K-Codes had to have the GT Equipment Group option. However, I question the accuracy of your next statement that "All the GTs used the Competition Handling Package". Perhaps you meant to say "All the GTs used the SPECIAL handling package". If you didn't, here is the reason why I am questioning your later statement. I presently own two '67 K-code fastback 4 speed cars. One is a Detroit car built on March 22, 1967; the other a San Jose car built on May 1,1967. Here are the options that each car came from the factory with per each car's Marti Report. The Detroit car's option list is as follows: 1) GT Equipment Group, 2) Four-Speed Manual Trans, 3) F70-14 Wide Oval Tires, 4) White Sidewall Nylon Tires and 5) AM Radio. The San Jose car's option list is as follows: 1) Extra Cooling Package, 2) GT Equipment Group, 3) Four-Speed Trans, 4) Courtesy Light Group, 5) 6.70x15-4Ply Rated 170MPH Tires, 6) Black Sidewall Tires, 7) Sport Deck Rear Seat, 8| AM Radio, 9) Deluxe Seat Belts, 10) Shoulder Harness, 11) Heavy Duty Battery, 12) Competition Suspension.


    To date, I have not been able to find anyone that can, with 100% certainty, tell me exactly what the Competition Suspension consisted of. One printed source that I have found "Illustrated High Performance Mustang Buyer's Guide" by Peter C. Sessler does address the competition handling package. Mr Sessler wrote, "For the serious enthusiast, a Competition Handling Package was available at a cost of $388.53. The cost limited the popularity of this option as it was only available with the GT package. It included stiffened springs, Gabriel Adjustable Shocks, quick-ratio steering, 15/16" front sway bar, limited-slip axle with a minimum 3.25 ratio, and 15" steel wheels with wire wheel covers." Now, do I believe this as 100% gospel? In one word, NO, because in my humble opinon, the GT Equipment group already included the quick-ratio steering and 15/16" front sway bar. If I am incorrect on any of this please let me know; I am, after all, looking for the correct details so I can restore my car correctly.


    I welcome and invite all informative discussion related to any of the option items that my San Jose car came with from the factory. If you have information, but for some reason do not feel comfortable positng, please send me a private message via this forum.


    Qball, sorry if I hijacked your thread. I'm assuming though, since you are asking about the competition suspension, that you may have a '67 K-Code with this option as well; if you do, we need to talk.


    Tom

    Edited 2 times, last by kgtman_old (May 14, 2007 at 9:17 AM).

    Marv,


    No, I have not. Great idea! If I have time, I'll check on it tonight.


    BTW, do you know what the front sway bar diameter is on a non-competition suspension "67 GT Mustang? Is it 13/16"? I'll try to measure each car's sway bar also. If they are original I would suspect that there should be a difference.


    Tom

    Charles,


    I'm relatively sure that Marv is not saying that all '67 GT's came with 15" wheels. I think we have incorrectly used/interchanged some names of handling packages.


    I believe that all '67 GT's came with the "special handling package" as part of the GT Equipment Group package.


    I also believe that there was an option called the "Competition Suspension". What we are trying to do is define exactly what the competition suspension consisted of. Please chime in if you have knowledge about this package.


    Tom

    Edited once, last by kgtman_old (May 14, 2007 at 7:54 PM).

    Well I found time to inspect the leaf springs in my San Jose '67 KGT fastback. This is what I found:


    Picture #1 is the driver's side leaf spring showing the numbers C7AZ, 5556AR, 74E.


    [Blocked Image: http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/7071/sjdslfsprngluq4.jpg]


    Picture #2 is the same spring with a little different view.


    [Blocked Image: http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/7438/sjdslfsprng2lir6.jpg]


    Picture #3 is the passenger's side leaf spring showing the numbers C7ZA, 5556AM, 298E6.


    [Blocked Image: http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/2059/sjpslfsprng3lmo4.jpg]


    Picture #4 is the same spring with a different view.


    [Blocked Image: http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/3061/sjpslfsprng4lei1.jpg]


    Interesting situation, according to Tony's book the driver's side spring is for a fastback with a 625 pound rating. The passenger's side is for a convertible with a 665 pound rating.


    I couldn't get to the Detroit KGT fastback tonight. I'll try to get to it this weekend and report then.


    Tom

    Quote from CharlesTurner

    Marv, are you saying all '67 GT's came with 15" wheels? (as that is part of the comp handling package)???? If so, that is a serious error in the book.


    Page 82 specifically discusses the factory tires that came on the HiPo Mustangs. A small paragraph, second from the bottom of the page, mentions the 1967 cars. F70-14 is described as the standard tire/wheel size, with an optional E70-15 Firestone Wide Oval available...


    This information is also repeated in the SUSPENSION PARTS LIST section on page 179.

    Right, but on the bottom of page 178, as Marv indicated, it is quoted "note- all 1967 K-Codes were GTs and equipped with the Competition Handling Package"


    The Comp. handling package was a separate option and not part of the GT package.

    Quote from kgtman

    I also believe that there was an option called the "Competition Suspension". What we are trying to do is define exactly what the competition suspension consisted of. Please chime in if you have knowledge about this package.


    Yes, I think you are right, just confusing some terminology.


    The link I gave to the VMF thread covers a good amount of what was included, if not all of it.

    Here is some more information on the "Competition" handling package that I found on the web; sorry, I don't remember the source.


    "A 1967 Mustang GT with Thunderbird wire wheel covers?

    In 1967, Ford offered a "Competition Handling Package" that was optional for GTs only - in which case it upgraded the regular Heavy Duty Suspension that was standard with the GT Equipment Group. This Competition Handling Package was expensive and seldom ordered. It consisted of extra stiff front and rear springs and adjustable shocks, an extra thick stabilizer bar, a 16:1 overall steering gear, a low speed rear axle (no lower numerically than 3.25:1) in a Limited Slip differential, and 6xl5-inch wheels with wire wheel covers.

    The strangest part of this option was the set of wire wheel covers, which are unlike any ever seen on a Mustang. They were actually sourced from the Thunderbird line because Mustang wire wheel covers fit 14-inch rims.


    Here is what I believe the Competition Handling Package wheel covers looked like. Notice the similarity between it and the '67 Shelby 15" wheel cover? IMHO, only difference is the center cap.


    '67 Tbird wheelcover 15"

    [Blocked Image: http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/8673/67tbirdhp4.jpg]


    '67 Shelby wheelcover 15"

    [Blocked Image: http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9353/67swc1jpegfw7.jpg]

    Hi,

    Shelby actually used the 67 Thunderbird

    wheelcovers and put his own emblem over

    the Thunderbird one.

    Many years ago, in Sweden, I found 4 of the

    Shelby covers at a swapmeet for $30. Never

    used them though. Still have them over there.

    /Bo

    KGTman, Thanks for adding to the thread. The 67' GT Vert does have the Competition Handling Package as the Marti report states. It came with the 15" 6.70x15-4 170mph wheels tires. It does have the same Gabriel Adjustable Shocks. But does have an open rearend. This car was built at the Dearborn plant April 28, 1967. Thank you for the pic.


    Question for you does your 67' engine have the VIN on the block or trans? This one does NOT, but has the right date codes for the build date.

    "I have heard that it did come with 15" Thunderbird wire wheel."


    Yes a mistake printed in an older Mustang Monthly article. Always the problem, you can go back and undo a comment once it makes it into print ;)

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