Car people are forever referring to how great the older cars were. Some going as far to say older cars were “so much better”. These words come out of the mouth of someone who hasn’t driven an “older car” in a long time. When I was in the automotive magazine business, we often fall into this trap and decide that a great article would be testing the new vehicle along side the older one. Spoiler alert: BAD IDEA. Without fail, we’d learn the lesson the hard way and be forced to face facts and realize that newer cars are better, A LOT BETTER. I know...it kills the romance. My career includes still testing, developing and racing Mustangs from both periods of time. I’m involved with a company known as the Original Venice Crew (OVC) that produces brand new 1965 Shelby GT350 R-model Mustangs. They’ve earned this right because several of the crew were the original mechanics who built the original 1965 Shelbys in the Shelby American’s Vince, California factory. They do so under license from both Shelby American, who produces today’s super rocket Mustangs, and Ford Motor Company. Though to a lesser degree I do little of that work in the new Mustangs, but enough to prove to me just how amazing they are.
I’m not saying I don’t love my work on the OVC GT350’Rs, but when I compare driving, really driving the two fast, on a track, wow, the differences are huge. Though still very fast for car of such simple design, remember it started life as a Falcon. Every time we’re at a race track and letting invited guests to sample the OVC cars, including media and other race drivers, I warn them upfront that these early cars make you earn a fast lap time. It’s work: heavy steering, heavy brakes, but a well-balanced chassis and strong engine helped these car earn their fame at the hands of legendary race drivers. They slide around, use all the track, and make great noise, amazing exhaust note from the 331 Ford small block. Today’s Shelby Mustang makes even average drivers look and feel like heroes: Huge horsepower, even bigger brakes and super fat sticky tires. A strong chassis (body shell) mated to a truly well balanced suspension set up makes for a really easy car to drive fast. Far less sliding and drama, just point and shoot. Great stuff for sure, but the real magic of driving a period correct racing Mustang happens in the OVC Shelbys. OVC only gets to build 36 of them, like back in the day and with the value of the early original cars now over 3.3 million, they make a pretty darn good investment. But don’t think for one second you’re going to just jump in one and start setting lap records...think again. These are fast ponies that take time to get to know.
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