Shelby Guy Former GT40 Owner & friend Passed-Away

[JD]

Sad to say but a good friend, consummate Car guy and former GT40 (P/1070) and '67 Shelby (#26 the car I had bought from him) passed away just after mid-night today.

He was ironically mentioned twice in the most recent The Shelby American on page 11 by Jeff Burgy and also in the Fran Kress story.

He nearly died, was given last rights' twice, when burned badly in the GT40 Street car he owned circa 1969.

Bair (the SAAC registries/stories all mis-spell his name) owned many cars (and a few planes) and raced cars as well.

See attached the Birdcage Maserati (drifting) which is now in the Indianapolis Speedway Museum (inset is with his younger brother Jack who some on this forum may have known and passed-away about 18 months ago) also the before and after of the GT40. 

Cars were his passion, he owned many many cars over the years.  '67 #26 on the far right, hat's off to him!

[68blk500c]

Understand losing friends; sorry for your loss.  Thanks for sharing some background.

[557]

Condolences...

[KR500]

JD Sorry to here of Bair's passing.

[BGlover67]

Sorry to hear that JD, he lived quite a life.

[Chad]

sorry to hear!!!  I always hate to hear of a car guy passing away!

[Shelby_r_b]

Very sorry to hear about the loss. My sincere condolences.

[2112]

He had great taste in automobiles.

Godspeed.

[gt350cs]

So sorry to hear of your friends passing. Prayers to his family in this time of sorrow.

[deathsled]

Condolences.  It would appear that he lived life to the maximum though and not everyone can get to do what they want in this life. 

[FL SAAC]

Our sincerest and deepest condolences to the family

[Bigblock]

JD very sorry about Bair leaving us he was a great person full of stories I enjoyed talking to him.

[Bigfoot]

Keep the flame burning. RIP

[JD]

Thanks all.

His wife and daughter gave me some of his old racing a car related stuff today. 

Among the items is this 1962 SCCA Program for races at Cumberland Maryland in May 11 - 13.  He was in race group 8, note the other racers.  This was the first (?) or one of the first that the Cobra raced in run by Ed Hugus.  Roger Penske was in the race and Bair had related that Roger had one of his crew help Bair with the set-up on his Bridcage as Roger had raced one before.

Also, note in race group 3 was SAAC's own Chuck Cantwell in his MGA

The hand-painted for sale sign for the Maserati that was in the trunk of the Shelby I bought from Bair, I returned it and he framed it and had in in the garage for the past 26 years.