for better or worse. Mine has been with me through thick and thin, good times and bad. Just thinking about her in my garage makes me happy and motivated to do bigger and better things in my life. An ever constant that never lets me down.
Cheerio,
Richard E.
Interesting question. I would have to say, yes. I've met some of my closest friends through this group of owners - some of whom I've yet to meet in person...honestly!
Having a Shelby has changed my perspective on life, in that I have many more people to gain insight and wisdom from (not just about Shelbys), and it's helped me meet people that I may have never met otherwise . And, there's something about having an incredibly strong passion for something and being able to share that same passion with someone else. It's a bond that's forged in very few other ways, if at all, in my experience.
Cheers!
Owning a Shelby has changed my life in a hugely positive way. I have had the priveledge of meeting so many knowledgable and kind folks in this hobby that I am also proud to now call my friends. A big thanks to SAAC for all they do.
when I bought my 1st Shelby, no one even knew what it was, and I didn't care what it was, other than transportation. that was back in the early 70's. still got it, still sits in the garage. I suppose when I sell it, retirement will be easier. phred
Quote from: deathsled on April 07, 2018, 10:07:51 PM
for better or worse. Mine has been with me through thick and thin, good times and bad. Just thinking about her in my garage makes me happy and motivated to do bigger and better things in my life. An ever constant that never lets me down.
You've got to have good memories of driving across country with your dad to buy it and having it restored. Even though we sold it we still have many memories and friends from owning it.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on April 08, 2018, 02:10:26 PM
Quote from: deathsled on April 07, 2018, 10:07:51 PM
for better or worse. Mine has been with me through thick and thin, good times and bad. Just thinking about her in my garage makes me happy and motivated to do bigger and better things in my life. An ever constant that never lets me down.
You've got to have good memories of driving across country with your dad to buy it and having it restored. Even though we sold it we still have many memories and friends from owning it.
Fantastic memories! That was my first time in California. On the way, I'd never before seen the Grand Canyon or the Painted Desert either. Needles was interesting at 112 degrees when we went as well! I found California rather dreamy even though it has its problems.
The cars are cool, but it's the people I've met that have changed my life – for the better. Owning a Shelby has opened the door to many great friendships.
Just one example. After Hurricane Harvey swept through my area, a Shelby owner I had only recently met (and never seen in person) offered to take in my whole family to live in his house if we needed. And he was even going come with a truck to help us bring whatever belongings we needed. Fortunately we didn't take on any water and therefore didn't need to accept his offer. But what a guy! You just don't meet people like that every day.
Steve
Like when. You walk your dog, driving a Shelby or. Any classic for that matter opens hearts and minds
I don't sell cars, I sell a lifestyle. The folks you meet are the true reward of ownership
I would have to say that it has given me the opportunity to meet many people that I would never have met. I bought 6S550 in Aug. 1967, and still have it. I drive it usually at least once a week, even though I live in Colorado. Back in 1976, while living in Mississippi, I met Mark Smith, and many local Shelby owners down there. Back in about 2009, I met Ray Tharp, of Des Moines, Iowa, because he wanted to ask a question about the car. He owns 6S554. I consider him a lifelong friend, even though I was 66 when I first met him. When I'm out for a ride in 550, I always get thumbs up, and people following me to where ever I'm going, to talk cars, and look the car over. It's a nice driver, and always gets a lot of attention. Ron
Quote from: pmustang on April 11, 2018, 10:52:27 AM
Like when. You walk your dog, driving a Shelby or. Any classic for that matter opens hearts and minds
I don't sell cars, I sell a lifestyle. The folks you meet are the true reward of ownership
Tell me more about this "lifestyle," cause I appear to be missing out. Maybe I didn't spend enough?
Made me a hell of a better driver...If you can tail steer competently most everything else is easier in a rear drive car....Also nice to know(since 82) that I always have an "ace in the hole"..... 8)
Quote from: vtgt500 on April 12, 2018, 08:53:09 PM
Tell me more about this "lifestyle," cause I appear to be missing out. Maybe I didn't spend enough?
LOL! 😂
New Mustang in 65. 1st Shelby in 71.. Had em for almost 45 years. It was a blast back then. IT WAS A WAY OF LIFE. Shelby clubs coming an goin. Local get togethers. Now not so much. Attention span isn't what it use to be.. Variety is the spice of life especially as ya get older.
Because of that frivolous purchase 30+ years ago :
I have lived in 5 different states
Have met =1000s of people
......some of them police
Have prepared cars for just about every road course in the usa
Restored cars that won pebble beach
Learned to sail
Traveled A LOT
Raced snowmobiles
Shipped cars around the world
Raced Ferrari s as a career
Paul Newmans crew chief
Driven a Duesenberg indy car
Have driven huge array of private collections of cars
Learned that driving the GT350 IS WAY more fun than collection of trophys
Met a Great Woman
Bought a Farm
Other than that it has not changed me much :D
^^^ I want to be "gt350shelb" ;-)
Let's see if I can give a simple answer. Absolutely! Meeting people who have a love and passion for the cars and missed the window to own/drive one.
I have spent a small fortune restoring it, which needless to say the spousal unit isn't enthralled.
With that said: Serving this nation in uniform has done more to change me than owning my Shelby. It's a brotherhood you would have to be part of to understand.
However, flying a Boeing 737 for a living does take the proverbial cake. I don't think there is any place I'd rather be while roaming God's green earth than the flight deck.
-Keith
anyone else have some stories ;)
No big stories from me but I can't think of any way in which it has not effected everything over the last 55 years?
It is in fact a lifestyle. Few civilians understand that at all. Wifey says she doesn't either but I think she is just jealous and doesn't know how to compete with it?
I tell her I just value special old things.
I have two sons that are now in their mid 30's. The strangest thing is that they ask me questions but actually listen to the answers as if I actually know something? Very strange.
I wouldn't say that I actually "know" some people that are considered famous or celebs but more then a few have "visited" with me asking about the "car" over the years. I just think that their "Management Companies/agents" block them from calling me directly but the door is always open? That's my explanation anyway. :)
Changed life?
Being 19 and buying my 67 GT350....if was fun to work on it, get it running, get the body "done" drive it, car shows....where I never worried about it that much. feelings never got hurt not winning. Drove it to "places for late night fun"
Later in life, events more related to Shelbys, discovered fun track events, discovered owners were not all they were made out to be, discovered backstabbing at its best. Still, enjoyed my car.
Later in fife, there was "life" school, work, more life, and sold the car, because? Life.
Went through my prime and had no Shelby, life still was fun, but missing the hobby.
Later in life, have a few Shelbys, a Boss and do my own thing! Much better as I do not listen to BS and I do not read it anymore, except for the entertainment that pops up. I have had the pleasure of owning a FGT, Thats'a big PERIOD. If you did not smile just getting into that car, something was wrong. Still have all the old stuff, but now I drive a 2012 LS Boss, and next to the FGT, smiles are back!! People who own, understand.
Change my life for better or worse? I would say, "Evolved." -Still doing my own thing.
I have owned two Shelby's: 1970 GT-500, and a 1968 GT-350. Yet, its my old Boss 302 that everyone remembers.
Had fun with all my cars, even the brand X. That said, every car I owned I raced. Of course its the Boss 302 that was the most fun. I cherish those memories!
Click on the pics to enlarge.
Quote from: crossboss on December 12, 2023, 01:13:38 PM
I have owned two Shelby's: 1970 GT-500, and a 1968 GT-350. Yet, its my old Boss 302 that everyone remembers.
Had fun with all my cars, even the brand X. That said, every car I owned I raced. Of course its the Boss 302 that was the most fun. I cherish those memories!
Click on the pics to enlarge.
That's a badass looking Boss 302. Do you know of the car's whereabouts these days or what it's doing?
Well it has sucked a bunch of "gas money"out of my pockets...well worth it for the fun value though....
My
Boss 302 was a fun car. Had some Chttps://www.saacforum.com/Smileys/default/sad.gifhevy Z28's who had to find out just how fast it was. I've owned my 1966 Shelby Hertz since August 1967. Since; Hertz had them leased from Ford, I'm the only owner the car has ever had. Most of my racing with the Shelby were races on the highway. It had a 3,25 ratio rear end in it, so would run faster in 3rd,,than 4th. It now has the correct rear end installed. It is still wicked fast Ron
Quote from: 557 on December 13, 2023, 01:10:09 AM
Well it has sucked a bunch of "gas money"out of my pockets...well worth it for the fun value though....
kept you from wasting it on booze and women :)
Absolutely not, we have enjoyed having all our cars.
But to say a "car" changing our lives ? That's a big NO
What has changed our lives :
Getting married and staying married.
Having children. Seeing them grow into productive citizens, become professionals and distinguished in their fields.
Getting your "dream jobs you never really working a day in your life
Retiring early and enjoying every day of your life
That my friends is true happiness
I pondered this question again .... I still get the same results...no