Re: My First Reaction to a Shelby (LONGISH)

Shelby Stories,

My trip down Shelby Lane starts in 1970. My wife (Ann) and I were
searching for a replacement for our honeymoon car, a 1961 Mercury
Comet.

The Comet needed replacing, due to the 3 speed Indy Shifter, which I
had installed (improperly). I used the poorly shifting transmission as,
justification to replace the car.

We searched the local ads, parking lots, notices in the laundry-mats.
Everyone knows; you get the best deal from buying direct, certainly not
from a huge high-end car lot! Our quest and sharp eyes took us to a local
car for sale.

In South Orlando on Peel Ave was a 67 Lime Gold GT 350
Shelby. I sort of thought I knew what it was, and approached the owner
with curiosity. We didn't have any idea how much the car would cost.
Would it make a good car for a couple with a new baby? How would
we insure it? It looked like an expensive custom racer!

Our short experience with this Shelby imprinted in my mind. The Seller
wanted about $2000.00 for a 3 year old GT 350 with 20,000 miles on it.

He did invite us on a test drive. Ann was in the back seat and the seller
driving. I was a passenger, visulizing owning this car. Right now !.
The seller drove down a side street. While accecerating he asked me
to reach up & touch the dash pad. . I leaned forward, he stomped the gas
pedal and I was pressed backward. This guy should have been a car
salesman!
We could not buy this impressive car, since the "the bank" would not
finance such young buyers.

A few days later, we traded the 61 Comet at the local VW lot for a
67 "Glitter Bug". A cute, bright green, gas mizer, which we drove for
two years before driving off the road, south of Johnson City, TN.
That's another long story!

Pete, Peter & Ann Geisler
Orlando Mustang
407 688 1966