Real or Fake California Special ? ? Help

[fordmuscle]

Hey I have an opportunity to purchase a 68 California Special. The vin# checks out that it was built in San Jose, it does have the t-bird/shelby style tail lights. Thats where the quailifiers stop. The grill is a 67 horse and coral there is no spoiler and no side scoops is there any other way to tell that it is the real deal. Any help would be appreciated feel free to email

Thanks

 

[390cs68rcode]

pictures and VIN number would help a bunch.

 

[68gt390]

I would ask the seller if he has the Ford 999 (CAC) or Marti Report on the car. That's the best way to cut through all the red tape. If the car is missing the spoiler and side scoops (fiberglass) I would definitely question the car. Just because the car is built in San Jose does not make for a CS. You mentioned nothing about the fog lights? Does it have the Marchal or Lucas fog lights? I'm also assuming there is no striping on the car?

Don

 

[nfrntau]

This is something I don't remember ever being mentioned before. If the car has been painted, look on the inside door edges. The original stripes were still on the inside edges of my doors.

 

[DSO51]

I agree with Don.
A quick call to Marti Auto Works. - give them the VIN, spend the $17.00, have them fax or email you a copy of the report while the other one comes via "snail mail" and take the guess work out of it.
Very inexpensive compared to making an uninformed decision that you might regret.

Craig

 

[Mustanglvr]

Sorry to say this but, I worry that a Marti report could be easily faked. I know nobody thinks someone would go to the trouble, but it is just a piece of paper in a plastic cover. Also, whats to stop someone from taking the vin numbers off the door and dash off a junked GT/CS and install them on a regular 68 coupe? Then send in the numbers for a Marti report? I know a person could probably get into trouble doing that but all they`d have to say is that it was sold to them that way. Any comments on this? Rhonda

 

[Mosesatm]

I totally agree with you Rhonda. It would be childsplay to fake a Marti report by scanning a real one and changing it to read whatever someone wanted. As great as computers are they often used for evil.

 

[68gt390]

Rhonda;
Unfortunately just about anything these days can be faked. Short of having the original sales paperwork or something from the original dealer, the Marti Report is about the best thing going. But, you are right in your statement. I have actually seen several Shelby clones that were done that way. The Shelby ID tag was cut out and rerivited or welded onto the frame of another car. I've even seen entire front ends switched in order to get it to look original and untampered with. Short of being an autobody specialist it would be hard to tell. Although some folks don't go to great lengths to hide their shady operations and if you look real close you can spot it. It is unfortunate that this does happen but, seems that's the way some folks do business these days to make an extra buck. Again, as I always like to say "BUYER BEWARE". If you have any questions make sure you get them answered to your satisfaction.

Don

 

[fordmuscle]

[quote author=jbsteven link=board=1;threadid=2074;start=0#msg13906 date=1125057097]
pictures and VIN number would help a bunch.
[/quote]

Vin#8ro1c154575 I only have some small pictures of the car from what i can tell the fog lights have been removed.

 

[fordmuscle]

[quote author=jbsteven link=board=1;threadid=2074;start=0#msg13906 date=1125057097]
pictures and VIN number would help a bunch.
[/quote]

From the looks of it I would be smart to order a marti report.

 

[Mosesatm]

[quote author=Mosesatm link=board=1;threadid=2074;start=0#msg13923 date=1125079515]
I totally agree with you Rhonda. It would be childsplay to fake a Marti report by scanning a real one and changing it to read whatever someone wanted. As great as computers are they often used for evil.
[/quote]


Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. I think I spoke more from ignorance than fact. Doesn't the Marti report have some sort of metalic looking security sticker on it?

 

[Mustanglvr]

My deluxe report doesn`t. When I hold it up to the light the words Classic Linen show through. Rhonda

 

[case12]

Kevin puts a "FORD official license product" sticker with hologram on the report, and of course signs it. Casey

 

[Mustanglvr]

Ok so why does`nt mine have it? Is mine a fake report? My car is listed in the 1988 registry. My report is signed, but the place where it says Official Licensed Product, Ford Motor Company is in black and white like it is a printed copy. Rhonda

 

[nfrntau]

I just pulled my Marti Report out of the plastic sheet and looked real carefully from the back. It appears my Marti Report was signed by hand.
The signature is in blue ink and the name Kevin Marti below was printed in black ink.
The paper is Classic Linen, white in color.
The sticker with the metalic label is an actual sticker placed on the paper, not printed on it.

How does this compare to what everyone else has?

 

[mmarsalone]

My Marti report is the same as Rhonda's. It is on Classic Linen paper too.

Mike

 

[390cs68rcode]

[quote author=Mustanglvr link=board=1;threadid=2074;start=0#msg13945 date=1125093035]
Ok so why does`nt mine have it? Is mine a fake report? My car is listed in the 1988 registry. My report is signed, but the place where it says Official Licensed Product, Ford Motor Company is in black and white like it is a printed copy. Rhonda
[/quote]

You probably have the standard report. the deluxe Marti report is printed with red and yellow shading in some areas.

 

[Mustanglvr]

Mine is a Deluxe report and has blue, yellow and orange shading but there is no hologram that Moses speaks of. Kevin Marti`s name is hand signed in blue.
Rhonda

 

[390cs68rcode]

probably an older version or he ran out of Ford stickers.

 

[mmarsalone]

Jason,

Mine is the Deluxe report also. It just doesn't have a sticker on it. My Marti report is about a year old.

Mike