I don't want to hijack this thread, but I got to tell this story.....
Yes, Howard Pardee is amazing.
I got in touch with him several months back about a letter I wrote to him 22 years ago about a '66 Hertz that I knew about sitting behind a mobile home that I really, really wanted but with small girls in elementary school and just a "regular" paying job, theres no way I could ever afford it. And the owner would not budge off $16K, yes $16K. I couldn't of afford it anyway
I kept up with it off-and-on for about 5 years till one day I went by and the Hertz was gone and during the time I seen it last, the owner died. His neighbor said someone had bought it out of state.
Man, I was crushed thinking I don't know where the Shelby went and I lost all close attachment to it.
During the several years of my knowledge of it, I did get the Ford VIN from the fender aprons because the fenders were not mounted due to a minor crash years before and also knew the Shelby VIN as well from the tag.
Fast forward to several months back, I got in touch with Howard through his email. I explained who I was and about the '66 Hertz that I wrote that letter to him 22 years earlier to confirm the ford VIN and Shelby tag match.
I explained to Howard that I didn't remember the Ford or Shelby VIN, but I could tell him who the owner was.
This is where it get pretty darn amazing.
Howard did indeed email me back about 3 days later and said he went to his files and dug up my old letter I wrote him 22 years ago!!!
He explained to me that the Hertz was bought by this individual (he told me his name) and him and his son races it in SCCA and other vintage racing.
Howard went on to say he is going to forward my touching letter to this Man that I wrote Howard earlier this year about the whereabouts of the Hertz.
Now, I know the owner and know he races it around the country. If I ever want to see this Hertz again, I know how to get in touch with the present owner.
My hats off to Howard and his amazing work of keeping such wonderful records and willing to help me find the Shelby I fell in love with 22 years ago.
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