Concours Chrome Export Brace Scott Drake C5ZZ-16A052-CM

The Chrome Export Brace for 1964-1966 Mustang features new tooling.

First used in 1965 on cars exported out of the country, which traditionally faced rough roads, Ford recognized that the unibody construction was susceptible to twisting and flexing, potentially leading to shock tower fatigue and cracking.

This heavy-duty brace was essential to help add rigidity to the front of the car.

Carrol Shelby acknowledged the significance of this brace, making it standard equipment on his 1965-1967 Shelby models.

It is widely known that these braces had even hole spacing on the cowl side, resulting in differently drilled cowls, and this brace was not sold to the public due to incompatibility with production cars.

However, it is less known that Ford first used the export brace with uneven hole spacing for standard production cars on the 1968 Shelby.

When Ford designed this version, it was specifically intended for 1968 Shelby models.

Initially, the only application listed in Ford's parts book was for the 1968 Shelby.

Later, it was listed as compatible with all 1964-1970 Mustangs.

However, since the shock towers and cowls of 1964-1966 models differ from those of 1967-1970, modifications are typically required for both genuine Ford and previous reproduction export braces that were copied from it.