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Shelby Fury Lives On
Author: (more...)
I own a 1966 Shelby GT350 that was passed on to me from my
grandfather that lived in Los Angeles, California. When I turned 16
two years ago, around November, 99', before he passed away, he gave
the car to me. He bought the car brand new for $4,428.00, when he
purchased it in June, of 66'. I had my regrets getting this car
because i had know idea how much the car was worth, only that my
grandfather loved me and gave his only car too his only grandson. I
knew it was old, and that i didn't want the car, because all my
friends wouldn't think of me much because I was driving the oldest
car in high school, not to mention, not a sporty one. Before all
this, I went to the Charlotte Auto Fair in Charlotte, N.C. and had a
chance to buy a 1997 Viper GTS coup. That was the car I had my hopes
and dreams on since the car was out on production to the people in
1992. My dad persuaded me to try this car for a little while and see
how I liked it, before he would pay $68K for a used Viper. (Not to
mention insurance/month for a teenager) I didn’t need two cars at
the time so I said I would. I got the car and I couldn't believe how
old and ugly it was. I had no reason to love this car. Dad owns a
body shop anyways, so he had taken two months off work to help fully
restore this car. I agreed to the project. We took the 289 K-code
V8 (part #S1CR-6003-6) and had it bored .40 over, polished and ported
the heads. We also had the four-barrel Holley 715 cfm (part #S1MK-
9510-A) rebuilt. One-quarter glass Window was scratched all the
death, and the other was cracked. Almost everything on the outside
needed to be replaced. There are too many things to list but all I
have to say is that I learned how to restore a car. It's hell.
Especially when you got shock towers that need replacing. ;)
Everything we had to restore/replace on the car, we ordered from
Mustang Unlimited and Tony Branda. We got the car Immaculate and I
still had my doubts about driving this car. It went from an ugly car
to the most beautiful 66' Shelby in Virginia. I drove the car for
the first time on the last day of school. All my friends loved this
car!!! I had girls calling my house wanting to ride in it (no joke)
and some wanting to drive it! (Of course I had problems driving it
also because it comes with no power steering!) Almost every guy at
the high school didn't like me because of three things. I was NOW a
chick magnet, it had a perfect paint job, (Rangoon Red w/ Whembleton
White racing stripes) it was very loud, and faster than there Chevy's
Camaro's and Corvette's. I was now listed as a convict with
a "Mustang From Hell" Ha-ha. But, there's also the bad sided of
having this car. Every time I get the car out, I'm careful about
going on dirt roads, rain, snow, and anything else that would hurt
the car and make the cleaning more difficult. The bad sides owning
this car are keeping it clean/neat. Having to watch out for town
police, (other Mustang's/Camaro's revving their engine's at me). My
first and my last ticket (maybe). I was doing better than 140 mph in
a 55. I had my license taken from me for a year, not to mention
having to pay off the ticket, plus a court fee to pay. I was racing
my high school buddy, who had a 1968 Camaro RS/SS Conv. He beat me
because I slowed down. I remember looking at the tach on the dash
and it was about 7,500 rpm in fourth. The car kept digging but it
was crazy going that fast, so I stopped. He had me about 1 and a
half full car lengths, and that’s pretty damn good for a 289/375 hp
mustang, up against a 396/385 hp Camaro SS. I was proud, but not
until I was pulled. Now that I have my license back, I'm now happy
to say that I love my mustang, and happy to go win car shows, and
just plain show my car. If I had the chance to meet Carroll Shelby
in person, I would thank him for inventing such a unique car as this
particular one. Since January of this New Year, 2002, I own a 98'
Viper GTS coupe for my everyday drive for college. I get the same
excitement, as I did the Shelby, and the looks as I did, but not the
headroom I wish I still had! He-He. I now live this special dream.
My parents bought me a 1998 Viper GTS for my graduation gift. I now
live the dream I once had, and still drive the legend once owned.
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