Author Topic: Checkered Flag: Lew Spencer  (Read 2820 times)

67411F--0100-ENG.

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Checkered Flag: Lew Spencer
« on: May 26, 2019, 10:33:08 PM »
https://vintageracecar.com/famed-morgan-cobra-racer-lew-spencer-passes-away/?fbclid=IwAR3_RSH6XDaMCX_EULUUA0loSCF8H5QdEj9KpFcK0uZkue2G-QNXq9fCW9s

The Shelby world lost another good one this week.  Lew Spencer has passed away.  In June of 2007, Lew was a guest speaker at the RMVR Trans Am race in Pueblo. He liked the car that my friend Mike Cox and I had built and were racing. Lew hung out with us in the car trailer for several hours that weekend. He shared some really great stories with us.  Then on 12/01/07 when 0100 was on display at the Shelby American Collection, Lew and Chuck Cantwell were gracious enough to speak with me for a few minutes about the car and pose for a couple of photos.  Godspeed, Lew!!!
« Last Edit: May 26, 2019, 10:51:37 PM by 67411F--0100-ENG. »

JD

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Re: Checkered Flag: Lew Spencer
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2019, 11:04:35 PM »
Very sorry to hear of his passing.

Thanks for posting and best wishes to him and his family.
'67 Shelby Headlight Bucket Grommets https://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=254.0
'67 Shelby Lower Grille Edge Protective Strip https://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=1237.0

Side-Oilers

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Re: Checkered Flag: Lew Spencer
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2019, 11:08:13 PM »
Yes, sad news.  Thanks for letting us know.
Current:
2006 FGT. Tungsten. Whipple, HRE 20s, Ohlin coil-overs, 3.90 gears. 210.7 mph.

Kirkham Cobra. 482-inch aluminum side-oiler. Tremec 5-spd.

Formerly:
1968 GT500KR #2575 (1982-2022)
1970 Ranchero GT 429
1969 LTD Country Squire 429
1963 T-Bird Sport Roadster
1957 T-Bird E-model 3-spd stick

propayne

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Re: Checkered Flag: Lew Spencer
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2019, 06:45:52 AM »
From the September 1967 issue of Sports Car magazine.

- Phillip

President, Delmarva Cougar Club - Brand Manager, Cougar Club of America

1690

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Re: Checkered Flag: Lew Spencer
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2019, 07:14:28 AM »
I am so sorry to hear this.  Thank you for letting us know.  If anyone else has any other pictures, I would love to see them.  This shot of him in the Street 427 with Sunbursts and Blue Dots, and the grin, is pretty darn cool.

Rocket

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Re: Checkered Flag: Lew Spencer
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2019, 11:30:37 AM »

Sorry to hear that. We had some good conversations with Lew at the Shelby Museum get togethers.  Ron & Cheryl
Original owner of 6S550. Owned since 1967. 64,000 Miles, all body original except hood and front valance. All glass original except windshield. Still has aluminum 4 speed. Has replacement Mico.  Also own 1966 Mustang convertible. They are drivers, not trailer queens.

aCMXCVIIIer

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Re: Checkered Flag: Lew Spencer
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2019, 02:31:47 PM »
I had a brief encounter with Lew Spenser back when he owned a Morgan/Sunbeam dealership in So Cal.  I believe it was sometime in 1963.  A friend of mine had ordered a Sunbeam Alpine from Spenser and needed transportation to the dealership from our location in the San Fernando Valley.  I agreed to drive with him in his MG-TD.  Then to drive his MG back to the valley while he drove his new Alpine back.  Actually we both had TDs at the time and we were both hot to "move up" in our sports car ownerships.

Anyway, Spenser offered to give us a tour of the onsite garage where he kept his Morgan +4 race car.  What I really recall about the Morgan was how pristine it was.  Needless to say, both my friend and I became big time fans of Spenser and this Morgan.  We went to most of the local races he drove in and because my friend's mom live in Carmel even his Laguna Seca races.  And of course we continued our fandom when he moved on to racing Cobras.

Definitely found memories.

98SVT - was 06GT

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Re: Checkered Flag: Lew Spencer
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2019, 08:09:08 PM »
Knew Lew for a short period of time before he went back east due to his wife getting a job transfer. He enjoyed rowing in Marina Del Rey. Took CS about 30 seconds to call him and SOB and undo his retirement when he told him he was moving.
Previous owner 6S843 - GT350H & 68 GT500 Convert #135.
Mine: GT1 Mustang Track Toy, 1998 SVT Cobra, Wife's: 2004 Tbird
Member since 1975 - priceless

Richstang

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Re: Checkered Flag: Lew Spencer
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2019, 10:51:43 PM »
Sad to hear we lost another great one who help put Shelby in the front of the pack!

This photo is with csx2357 in front of their dealership on 1150 South Le Brea in October '64.
I'm not sure when the dealership opened, but I believe it closed in November '65, just over a month after the Cobra Caravan visit.
1967 Shelby Research Group 

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NC TRACKRAT

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Re: Checkered Flag: Lew Spencer
« Reply #9 on: May 28, 2019, 07:32:22 AM »
5S071, 6S1467