This is the stuff that makes the car hobby fun. Thanks for the share and congratulations!
Sent from my SM-G991U using the svtperformance.com mobile app
Sent from my SM-G991U using the svtperformance.com mobile app
Tom,
I miss that car! I see you have some of the stories. I can certainly fill you in on the rest of them if you wish. A few might not even be in the family oriented spirit of the forum. lol I bought the car brand new from Family Ford in Carlisle, PA. My salesman/friend Ray McNew and I checked the oil, filled it with gas and drove to Englishtown to meet Evan Smith. We didn't even adjust the tire pressure for the first pass. I'm sure I have pictures on an old hard drive somewhere.
The car had about 11,000 on it when I sold it. Other than driving it back and forth to Watkins Glen and Summit Point the remainder were all at 6,000 rpm or above. We never had the valve covers off of the car. It was basically bulletproof.
Yes it did have subframe connectors, a prototype Mac exhaust, an AutoPower cage and the same suspension setup that Steeda used on the race cars. I went to college in West Palm and Dario and I became friends in the late 80's. I was at all of the races in the SE at the time and was in the pits with all of the R cars and I remember the Zippo cars well!!!
One story that you may not have heard is when Ray and I ran the Silver State Challenge. It was an amazing time. We were the only team out of about 150 to be disqualified for exceeding 20 mph over our rookie mandated target speed of either 140 or 150. I don't remember exactly but we did get clocked at over 170. The organization would not document it because of our disqualification. however, at the finish line the guy running the gun talked to us about it on video GREAT TIMES! I have that whole weekend including in-car video on old hi-8 film.
Does anyone know the story behind this shirt??? I dug it out just for you guys.
Bill III
View attachment 1723600
Yep, I'm jamming right now. The chase took over 15 years with dead ends and then it just fell out of a FB forum. I was really shocked nobody grabbed it while I was scrambling to put the funds together. And the story is just getting better and better with #139.And one of the best Mustang owner stories.....just got better! Tom, you must be happy as a clam having all of this background history of that awesome Cobra. Really nice of Bill to join SVTP and jump into this thread.
Here is another small piece to the story. At some point around 2000 I came across a for sale ad for 95R #139. I wrote down the info on a sticky note and then in January of 2004 I called the number I had written down. It was an interesting conversation. Below is the message I sent Tom about it a few days later. Pretty crazy that was 18 years ago...
"I spoke to Mark Rudy of Bingington, PA the other night. He owned 95R #139 but has since sold it to someone in Buffalo, NY. He is an enthusiast and offered to dig up some info on the car and current owner. This car was one of the Carlisle cars and was raced in some IMSA races. His email address is mrudy@..."
Great find. I have some files from back then.
Tom,I don't know how you can stand being without your R. These are really unique cars to drive on the street. I am amazed how much this street R reminds me of Zippo.
I know you sold your car. Where did it go?
Tom
Yes, it's been way too long. I'm not sure if anything can be done for 2023. But 2024 is the 60 Anniversary that will be put on by MCA is an excellent opportunity. They are finalizing their location this summer and then we have a whole year+ to plan and get it done. I really want to get everyone together.BTW, Tom,
We need to have an all Cobra, Cobra R, (new, or old) GT350 event soon, and you are the guy that knows how to organize it.
Just saying.
Yes, it's been way too long. I'm not sure if anything can be done for 2023. But 2024 is the 60 Anniversary that will be put on by MCA is an excellent opportunity. They are finalizing their location this summer and then we have a whole year+ to plan and get it done. I really want to get everyone together.
Tom