Wednesday was one of those days: The kind of day that makes you pause and just soak it in. Perfect weather was a bonus at a race track that is considered one of the most challenging in the country, with a mix of long straights, a couple of high speed top-gear sweepers (one pinching down into one of the scariest corners in road racing if driven at the limit, because it requires you to direct a sliding race car to the late apex and doing so while being deadly accurate or, as they say, possibly get dead). Uphill, down hill with off amber corners, and several unsettling spots for the car...all these make it, somehow, a very addictive race track. It makes you want to conquer it with every leap.
We had the opportunity yesterday for two brand new and two previously tested continuation OVC Shelby GT350R Mustangs: Built to exactly the standard of the original 36 racing versions in 1965. These cars have been in my life for a very long time as my father was the Championship-winning factory driver in 1965 and the cars then, as now, were developed right here at Willow Springs. It was a day filled with irony. Today the original cars sell for just over $3.7 million, and these freshly minted continuation versions (of which there will only be 36 made), sell for $400,000 and the list of anxious buyers grows every day, three of whom flew in just to witness the day's tests.
As we’ve come to expect from OVC (Original Venice Crew), the cars ran flawlessly; albeit with about 200 more horsepower than back in the day thanks to race-prepped 289 cubic inch Hi-Performance engines. All four of the test vehicles had the independent rear suspension that was pinned for the Mustang back in ’65 but was shot down for costs. Myself, extremely accomplished road racer John Morton and the current Vice President of new Shelby American car development Vince LaViolette were on hand to do what we’ve been doing for the last seven years: Test and check these amazing cars. We each drive all the new cars from OVC, compare notes, make fine adjustments, and often give the new buyer a few fast laps so they can see for themselves just how capable their new OVC Shelby GT350R is really is. Most will only street drive their prize ride, but several will see additional track time in the hands of the owners. These cars are up to the task.
It was a special day as two of the original crew members who built these cars in 1965 (and who still help build them today) were there as well as the world famous automotive designer Pete Brock, who designed the extremely important area components and the GT350R and the graphics for the car. Pete Brock, John Morton (original factory driver in Cobras), Jim Marietta, and Ted Sutton were all there to watch their creations put to the test and take part in filming for an upcoming documentary about the history of Shelby American.
A wonderful day spent with special people and cars. Like I said, it made you just want to soak it all in. So grateful for days like this.
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