Here's some links to several fantastic vintage pictures found over on the REVs Digital Library website. These photos were taken at the midtown Manhattan stop in the former "Union Carbide Building"
We see the Cobra Caravan Trailer pictured from both the front and back.
https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=630232&collection=p17257coll1
https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=631303&collection=p17257coll1
Inside the building lobby (on the ground level floor) is Carroll Shelby with a few others. The '66 GT350 with a sign board confirms the location.
Note the damage to the front valance. The MFG plate '2S 013' helped Steve Sloan and Howard Pardee to suggest this is 6s120
https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=629382&collection=p17257coll1
https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=630759&collection=p17257coll1
The CSX3011 Cobra is outside under building in open lobby with trailer parked outside in background
https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=631584&collection=p17257coll1
Also parted outside the lobby are two GT350s the R model 5r213 and likely the street model 6s249
https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=631645&collection=p17257coll1
The #11 Daytona CSX2286 shown in a side view.
https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=631549&collection=p17257coll1
No pictures of the GT40 P/1004 were found.
This is the Stuff I really enjoy seeing!
Thanks Rich for posting.
Rich ;)
Very cool.
What was the reason they were on display?
Were there that many car racing fans in Manhattan?
Rich, thanks for posting, great stuff as always !
There are two threads on this, not sure where to put these ? if it doesn't fit will delete or move.
I hope I'm not getting ahead of you here ? Some stuff I have in my files, which I'm sure you have. Some of this might have been
on forum 1.
The only image I have of the GT40..where is that ?
The schedule on the back of the truck.
A hand out, not mine :'( internet find
What's the story on the GT350 and truck on a residential street ?
Mike
Quote from: honker on March 29, 2021, 11:30:22 AM
Rich, thanks for posting, great stuff as always !
There are two threads on this, not sure where to put these ? if it doesn't fit will delete or move.
I hope I'm not getting ahead of you here ? Some stuff I have in my files, which I'm sure you have. Some of this might have been
on forum 1.
The only image I have of the GT40..where is that ?
The schedule on the back of the truck.
A hand out, not mine :'( internet find
What's the story on the GT350 and truck on a residential street ?
Mike
Mike, this photo is on the surface street in front of Cobo Hall, where the Detroit Auto show has been held for decades.
It has been changed and enlarged as you would expect. The interesting thing is the street is a "U" around the freeway ramp that comes up after running under Cobo Hall.
Back in 2016 at the NA International Auto Show, Ford had J5, 5R002 and I believe #66 2016NGFGT race car there, I'll have to look for my photos.
regards
jim p
Quote from: ChicagoChris on March 29, 2021, 10:32:47 AM
Very cool.
What was the reason they were on display?
Were there that many car racing fans in Manhattan?
The Cobra Caravan was created as a celebration of Shelby American's victory in taking the 1965 World Championship with the Daytona Cobra.
They stopped in 12 major cities in the USA.
It was an opportunity to promote the new 1965/1966 GT350, as we see in the linked REVS photos.
This tour also coincided with the book tour / signing by Carroll Shelby for 'The Cobra Story" published by Trident Press.
I'll add in the link to the REVS Digital Library photo shortly in case anyone missed that other thread.
Edit; link added to book signing photos
http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=14480.0
Quote from: honker on March 29, 2021, 11:30:22 AM
Rich, thanks for posting, great stuff as always !
There are two threads on this, not sure where to put these ? if it doesn't fit will delete or move.
I hope I'm not getting ahead of you here ? Some stuff I have in my files, which I'm sure you have. Some of this might have been
on forum 1.
The only image I have of the GT40..where is that ?
The schedule on the back of the truck.
A hand out, not mine :'( internet find
What's the story on the GT350 and truck on a residential street ?
Mike
There didn't seems to be a thread specific to the Cobra Caravan.
I recall starting the SAI US Transporters thread a while back, but decided the Cobra Caravan deserved it's own new topic.
There's no order here so you're post just helps to open the discussions. Thanks for your adding contribution...with photos!
That photo you posted with the GT40 was taken in Detroit as Jim noted. That was December 2nd 1965.
The GT40 was also pictured at Hi-Performance Motors on November 17th, at the start of the tour.
Your photo of the schedule on the rear of the trailer was taken at LAX. I believe that was prior to the start of the tour.
The handout / press kit had several pages and photos which we can explore right here in this thread.
The Caravan Trailer on the residential street was taken in late April 1966, after the tour, in Minnesota.
SAI was delivering Dick Roe his new Cobra and 5s048 is pictured getting moved off the truck and out of the way.
5s048 was one of the first built race cars and it must have been sent back to SAI for 'upgrades" to R model specs.
Quick question, since The Cobra Story was mentioned above:
Who was the ghost writer? Hard to imagine CS actually sitting down at an old "hunt & peck" manual typewriter and working within the margins.
Although the "hunt & peck" part would provide a chicken farmer a fame of reference.
According to the Cobra Story title pages:
"Produced by Lyle Kenyon Engel"
and:
The Cobra Story
by Carroll Shelby
As told to John Bentley
The copyright is reserved by Carroll Shelby and Lyle Kenyon Engle
Publishing note:
John Bentley was involved in "We At Porsche" published in 1976 by Doubleday & Company, Inc.
Title page reads:
We At Porsche
The Autobiography of Dr. Ing. h.c. Ferry Porsche
with John Bentley
It appears that Mr. Bentley moved around in automotive circles.
Jim P & Rich, thanks for the added info re: the photos I posted. This put me on a search, found some more stuff on the Cobra
Caravan. I think these things were part of a press pack, and maybe something that was handed out to the public ?
Mike
This I think was also part of the info handed out with the tour. The photo is well known to us, I like how in the info they say Carroll
is pictured in his battle dress !
I just googled around and found this stuff, some is on E-bay, reproductions I think it says in the description.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Shelby-Cobra-Caravan-with-Carroll-in-Cowboy-Hat-Press-Photo-Release-0007-/333151501729
Mike
Quote from: honker on March 29, 2021, 10:26:43 PM
This I think was also part of the info handed out with the tour. The photo is well known to us, I like how in the info they say Carroll
is pictured in his battle dress !
I just googled around and found this stuff, some is on E-bay, reproductions I think it says in the description.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Shelby-Cobra-Caravan-with-Carroll-in-Cowboy-Hat-Press-Photo-Release-0007-/333151501729
Mike
Mike,
I believe there were only SIX (6) photos with short articles (each within a single page) included with the Caravan press kit.
You have identified three of those photos/articles in you two posts above.
Feel free to add the other three for everyone to see. (or I can, later)
There have also been two early Cobra photos from press releases occasionally mixed in with these Caravan press kits
(Both were 2000 series Cobras; a white Cobra with CS standing behind it and a dark color Cobra by itself parked on grass)
They are likely press release from earlier years that were put in these Caravan press kits for safe keeping.
Rich, in those photos you posted of the Cobras, are those taken at the Ford Design Centre ? That wall in the distance behind the
dark car looks like the one at the centre ?
Now this is very cool 8) has any ever seen one of these ? It was part of the John Atzbach collection, and made out of ceramics,
don't know what scale they would be ?
Mike
Quote from: Richstang on March 30, 2021, 12:37:36 PM
(Both were 2000 series Cobras; a white Cobra with CS standing behind it and a dark color Cobra by itself parked on grass)
They are likely press release from earlier years that were put in these Caravan press kits for safe keeping.
Regarding post #11, I believe you will find that:
Image shelby19620001a_138474.jpg shows a right drive ACE RS2.6 complete with rear drum brakes.
Image shelby19620002a_170623.jpg shows the Cobra prototype CSX2000. The car was actually bright yellow in color at the time but looks "white" in a black and white picture.
For a brief period of time the Ken Rudd (Ruddspeed) ACE RS2.6 (Ford I6 engine) and the Carroll Shelby Enterprises / Shelby American Cobras (to get Ford V8s) chassis were built at AC Cars Ltd side by side. Both cars enjoyed a Ford connection with demands for Cobra chassis pushing Mr. Rudd's version aside very quickly. Mr. Rudd's connection to AC Cars and his chassis version predated Cobras.
Quote from: Dan Case on March 30, 2021, 05:27:41 PM
Quote from: Richstang on March 30, 2021, 12:37:36 PM
(Both were 2000 series Cobras; a white Cobra with CS standing behind it and a dark color Cobra by itself parked on grass)
They are likely press release from earlier years that were put in these Caravan press kits for safe keeping.
Regarding post #11, I believe you will find that:
Image shelby19620001a_138474.jpg shows a right drive ACE RS2.6 complete with rear drum brakes.
Image shelby19620002a_170623.jpg shows the Cobra prototype CSX2000. The car was actually bright yellow in color at the time but looks "white" in a black and white picture.
For a brief period of time the Ken Rudd (Ruddspeed) ACE RS2.6 (Ford I6 engine) and the Carroll Shelby Enterprises / Shelby American Cobras (to get Ford V8s) chassis were built at AC Cars Ltd side by side. Both cars enjoyed a Ford connection with demands for Cobra chassis pushing Mr. Rudd's version aside very quickly. Mr. Rudd's connection to AC Cars and his chassis version predated Cobras.
Dan,
Thanks for your input! Previously, I had this light color Cobra in the press photo identified as csx2000...
However, the side emblem is much lower on the fender than the one found on csx2000.
Maybe the photo was re-touched to correct the emblem position. This larger photo does look like pearlescent yellow.
Thanks again for identifying the second car as an ACE. It does have a different look to it, although that could be the color.
I'm not intimately familiar with the differences.
CSX2000 was painted two different yellows sequentially. The first was a pearlescent finish and was reported to have discolored in a splotchy darkening manner very quickly. It was repainted at Shelby American a very bright solid yellow to cover the discolored pearlescent finish. We believe, based on Steven Juliano's research, that CSX2427 was painted the same bright yellow.
The car stayed the second solid bright yellow past the point the first street rack and pinion steering cars were running in 1963. When the first street rack and pinion cars were in running condition CSX2000 and a latest greatest rack and pinion steering street model factory photo shoot session was done to compare them from multiple angles. There is a thread on this site with pictures from that comparison posted.
Thanks for reminding us it was painted bright yellow after the pearl yellow.
This later photo of csx2000, in darker paint, is believed to be taken at LAX in 1965 by a Japanese photographer.
This was taken around the open house invitation to the press in June.
The fender emblem continues to appear in the higher mounted position. unlike that press photo in the lower placement.
The gas cap certainly match the left side placement of csx2000.
Quote from: honker on March 30, 2021, 04:13:14 PM
Rich, in those photos you posted of the Cobras, are those taken at the Ford Design Centre ? That wall in the distance behind the
dark car looks like the one at the centre ?
Now this is very cool 8) has any ever seen one of these ? It was part of the John Atzbach collection, and made out of ceramics,
don't know what scale they would be ?
Mike
Mike,
There is no location noted with either of these Cobra press photos.
In my opinion, the darker car is not at the Ford R&E Center in Dearborn. The wall surrounding the R&E courtyard is about 7 feet tall. If someone were inside, they would not see any streets or cars parked on them.
Here's a slightly larger photo of this image and another from the opposite side.
It looks like California from the buildings architecture we see in the background.
Quote from: Richstang on March 30, 2021, 08:23:44 PM
Quote from: honker on March 30, 2021, 04:13:14 PM
Rich, in those photos you posted of the Cobras, are those taken at the Ford Design Centre ? That wall in the distance behind the
dark car looks like the one at the centre ?
Now this is very cool 8) has any ever seen one of these ? It was part of the John Atzbach collection, and made out of ceramics,
don't know what scale they would be ?
Mike
Mike,
There is no location noted with either of these Cobra press photos.
In my opinion, the darker car is not at the Ford R&E Center in Dearborn. The wall surrounding the R&E courtyard is about 7 feet tall. If someone were inside, they would not see any streets or cars parked on them.
Here's a slightly larger photo of this image and another from the opposite side.
It looks like California from the buildings architecture we see in the background.
Seems it's the same image just "flopped" note the steering wheel and background cars are "mirrored".
Also, the spokes on that car don't seem the same as typical Cobra wheels??? The spacing and pattern seem different. The vehicles in the background look more European?
OOOPS - I see Dan Case already covered this!
Quote from: Richstang on March 30, 2021, 08:20:24 PM
Thanks for reminding us it was painted bright yellow after the pearl yellow.
This later photo of csx2000, in darker paint, is believed to be taken at LAX in 1965 by a Japanese photographer.
This was taken around the open house invitation to the press in June.
The fender emblem continues to appear in the higher mounted position. unlike that press photo in the lower placement.
The gas cap certainly match the left side placement of csx2000.
If this is from 1965, seems odd the car would still have a pre-1963 black on yellow license plate, instead of a yellow on black plate.
Quote from: JD on March 30, 2021, 09:39:50 PM
Seems it's the same image just "flopped" note the steering wheel and background cars are "mirrored".
Either orientation of the photo the dark car is still an 1961 ACE RS2.6 (right hand drive) or ACE RSX2.6 (left hand drive) with rear drum brakes and no fender extensions in the wheel arches (a.k.a. squared off fender flares) CSX2000 received or the various production 'extensions' used CSX2001-CSX2589. To me the dark car picture was probably just one frame in a collection of pictures AC Cars produced to put in advertising material, which was aimed at England and Europe mostly. I do not have copies of AC's advertisements so I have to recall what they contained.
The front of the ACE body was redesigned to be less flat face before Cobras came along. Mr. Rudd had sold, serviced, modified, and raced ACEs for years already. CSX2000 is very much like a RSX2.6 with modifications to fit a Ford V8 instead of a Ford I6 and a significantly new rear drive system. The very early Cobra chassis got shipped to the USA with what looks like the almost same radiators the RS2.6s used. Ruddspeed did with the Ford I6 most of the things Shelby's works would do later including things like custom cast aluminum rocker arm covers with the RUDDSPEED logo cast in. If you are interested there is a Ruddspeed website and FaceBook page as well as coverage in other websites.
JD,
Nice catch on the mirrored image!
You're correct, those are European cars in the background...I'm glad you were paying attention!
SD427,
The photo of csx2000 in the darker paint color was definitely taken at LAX in 1965.
Several photos were taken at that time by Kyoichi Yomaguchi when he was invited to LAX by the Shelby American PR director Don Rabitt.
The GT108 Roadster was present along with csx2488.
Another street Cobra was pictured wearing a company car MFG black/yellow license plate. It appears to be numbered as '1N 013".
Dan,
Thanks for reiterating the RHD AC Ace in the press photo.
The lack of fender flares you mentioned is the exterior detail that was throwing me off.
In my eyes it changes the appearance to a longer and sleeker design. I like it!
Getting back to the Cobra Caravan...
The REVS Digital Library has a dozen plus photos of Patricia Mernone. These appear to be taken in NYC 5/17/1965 prior to the Caravan tour.
Several photos show her wearing a jacket with a CS patch and a Cobra patch on it while sitting in a white Cobra.
https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=630938&collection=p17257coll1
https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/results?search=pat+merone&collection=p17257coll1&CISOSEARCHALL=pat+merone
Here's two additional articles about her dated from 1964 in the links below.
https://www.nytimes.com/1964/07/05/archives/pat-mernone-races-at-thompson-today.html
https://vault.si.com/vault/1964/08/24/the-furious-fun-of-pinkie-and-pat
This letter shares more info telling us she not only a champion racer, but also a smart woman.
Rich, thanks for the added info, and the links to Patricia Mernone, here's a bit from The Courier-News, Plainfield N.J., dated
Tuesday, December 14th. 1965, about the Cobra Caravan.
Mike
Quote from: honker on March 31, 2021, 11:57:30 PM
Rich, thanks for the added info, and the links to Patricia Mernone, here's a bit from The Courier-News, Plainfield N.J., dated
Tuesday, December 14th. 1965, about the Cobra Caravan.
Mike
Interesting the Courier paper puts a dollar amount with the tour.
They only gave a one day notice of the display. Not much time to plan off a day to get there.
Hello,
i am a little late for party but this is another thread that bring the spark for
Shelby stuff back...
I want to add 3 Pic from the Cobra Caravan ...
First one is the known from LAX befor the tour, but this is one with the most spare
around the Pic, so we can better see the Caravan stand on the Fence from LAX,
closley befor the airfield begin ...
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-03zbjfh.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-03zbjfh.png)
second one is after the Tour and shows the Caravan on the the Daytona 24h Race 1966,
which was on 6 Feb. 1966
(https://abload.de/img/daytona1966jok7c.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=daytona1966jok7c.jpg)
the third one is again back on LAX and in the backround, the GT40 shown is XGT-2
fresh finished from the Race Shop and closley befor Le Mans 1966, which was 18 & 19 June 1966
(https://abload.de/img/129655865_28003507135lojbo.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=129655865_28003507135lojbo.jpg)
Next step can be the post of the Photos on the Press Pack when you have interest on this ?
Greets from Germany
Szabo
Quote from: Szabo on May 03, 2021, 05:34:42 PM
Hello,
i am a little late for party but this is another thread that bring the spark for
Shelby stuff back...
I want to add 3 Pic from the Cobra Caravan ...
First one is the known from LAX befor the tour, but this is one with the most spare
around the Pic, so we can better see the Caravan stand on the Fence from LAX,
closley befor the airfield begin ...
second one is after the Tour and shows the Caravan on the the Daytona 24h Race 1966,
which was on 6 Feb. 1966
(https://abload.de/img/daytona1966jok7c.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=daytona1966jok7c.jpg)
Next step can be the post of the Photos on the Press Pack when you have interest on this ?
Greets from Germany
Szabo
Hey Stephan, it been a few months since we've heard from you. I'm glad you're still checking in on us.
:)
This color photo was in the Winter 2011 Shelby American issue. It only noted it was from 1966.
Did your source note a caption, stating it was for the 24 hour race in February? Any other info with it?
I only ask because the grandstands look empty and even practice might have had a few fans.
:-\
Hey Rich,
yes i had a break, but in my heart are always burning love for Shelby stuff ...
the Pic was in a French Car Magazine from April 66 called "Sport Auto"
which i orginaly buy.
the Main Theme was the Daytona 24h Race
The description of the photo contains the following text translated from French:
(https://abload.de/img/p1110647zejel.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=p1110647zejel.jpg)
en bas:
L'èchelle américaine : I'un des camions qui transportaient les Ford egagées par Shelby
below:
The American scale: one of the trucks that transported the Ford cleared by Shelby
(https://abload.de/img/p1110645rpjpz.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=p1110645rpjpz.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/p111064653j74.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=p111064653j74.jpg)
better Pic from the Cobra Caravan
(https://abload.de/img/p1110648y7krb.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=p1110648y7krb.jpg)
i have an crappy newspaper articel in my archiv from 14 Dezember 1965
in a Moorestown Mall, New Jersey, again only for a 1 Day Stop ...
(https://abload.de/img/19651214cobracaravant38jfy.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=19651214cobracaravant38jfy.jpg)
when i look on the backside of the Cobra Caravan i cant find the stop on the list ???
(https://abload.de/img/caravanhaulerwschedul1gkfx.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=caravanhaulerwschedul1gkfx.jpg)
Thanks Stephan for posting the magazine cover and inside article pages of the 'Cobra Caravan' transporter at Daytona Feb '66.
That's a neat color photo of the pit row with all the racers lined up ready to go.
This (Dec 14th, 1965) newspaper article was a bit of a stunner for me...and not because it was in between the tour dates noted on the back door of the trailer...but, because of the location at the Moorestown Mall in NJ.
I would eat lunch in that food court 1 or 2 time a week for many years with colleagues from work (This was 30 + years after the tour, I was not even born yet in 1965.) I'm guessing the newspaper could be the 'Courier Post' from that area.
Now we have to look at all the dates, between stops in the big cities! There may be a lot more stops we don't know about.
Great find! Thanks for sharing!
Hello,
nice to read that you have good memorys from the place ...
i found the source from the crappy articel, it is Newspaper.com
and was in the Bristol Daily Courier, Pennsylvania
there are 45 of Newspaper articel from the hole Country who anoucend the Cobra Caravan,
i can not get a free access because i am from Germany, but when someone will do this it would be very good job.
(https://abload.de/img/unbenannt36k07.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=unbenannt36k07.png)
For me personal i am now on fire with this hole Cobra Caravan Theme, it is a good Shelby history thing.
i have collect several Pics and Information, maybe we can make a nice thread here and collect more nice stuff.
Thanks for the newspaper article source. The article is difficult to read. I'll have to check out that website.
Besides the December 14th stop at the Moorestown Mall in NJ...
They appear to have stopped earlier that day at the 'FRANCIS for FORDS' dealer in Harrisburg, PA.
5R213 is pictured, parked in front of the dealership, with other GT350s in this attached photo.
There's no sign of the other cars or the Transporter, but they might be parked next to the camera view point...
or
it was a quick stop for a photo opportunity with the R model. (less likely)
I see that Photo befor but never bring it in contact to the Cobra Caravan ...
is this bulletproofed that 5R213 was there thruw the Cobra Caravan Tour,
or can it be that another Event was happend for the visit of the R Model?
Meanwhile i have made a google map Route for the 12 Stops of the Caravan Backside
for me, who isn´t confirmed with cities and dimensions of the USA it brings a very
good overlook about the very big route the Cobra Caravan does...
i will ad the other points of interest and pics we found and even the dates to bring
to together as best as we and i can.
I found a articel from 2 Dec from the Daily Reporter Dover, Ohio for the Cleveland Stop, 4 Dec 1965
(https://abload.de/img/19651202dailyreporters5ks4.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=19651202dailyreporters5ks4.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/newz2jbv.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=newz2jbv.png)
Nice Stephan,
l like the map with added photos of each stop. I made one myself a while back, but only pinpointed the planned stops noted on the transporter.
Here's a couple of photos to add.
1st stop is in LA at Hi-Performance Motors 11/17 on South La Brea.
9th stop is in Charlotte, North Carolina at 'Young Ford' on 12/10.
There's nothing to confirm the 'Francis for Fords' stop, but the timing works for 5r213 that was on the tour.
It was noted as completed just before the tour started in November and shipped to Peru in 1966.
Quote from: Szabo on May 07, 2021, 03:42:45 PM
I see that Photo befor but never bring it in contact to the Cobra Caravan ...
is this bulletproofed that 5R213 was there thruw the Cobra Caravan Tour,
or can it be that another Event was happend for the visit of the R Model?
Meanwhile i have made a google map Route for the 12 Stops of the Caravan Backside
for me, who isn´t confirmed with cities and dimensions of the USA it brings a very
good overlook about the very big route the Cobra Caravan does...
i will ad the other points of interest and pics we found and even the dates to bring
to together as best as we and i can.
I found a articel from 2 Dec from the Daily Reporter Dover, Ohio for the Cleveland Stop, 4 Dec 1965
(https://abload.de/img/19651202dailyreporters5ks4.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=19651202dailyreporters5ks4.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/newz2jbv.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=newz2jbv.png)
Szabo
Nice work. Keep it up. Just a note on the map you used. It appears to be a modern map of the USA with the yellow roads being our interstate highway system. Many of these interstate highways didn't exist in 1965 or were not as complete as they are now. That being said our interstate highways did replace and or follow the same routes of a lot of the main highways of the day.
Rodney
Quote from: Richstang on May 06, 2021, 11:24:32 PM
Thanks for the newspaper article source. The article is difficult to read. I'll have to check out that website.
Besides the December 14th stop at the Moorestown Mall in NJ...
They appear to have stopped earlier that day at the 'FRANCIS for FORDS' dealer in Harrisburg, PA.
5R213 is pictured, parked in front of the dealership, with other GT350s in this attached photo.
There's no sign of the other cars or the Transporter, but they might be parked next to the camera view point...
or
it was a quick stop for a photo opportunity with the R model. (less likely)
I was in high school in 1965 and lived about a half hours' walk from Francis For Fords. I often haunted the place on weekends, since they had the Shelby franchise and there were always interesting cars to look at.
I saw 5R213 purely by chance during one of these visits. It was on a Saturday and it was unceremoniously parked inside in the service department, which did not operate on weekends. I could hardly believe my eyes! Unfortunately, I was not carrying a camera, unlike the month previous when a friend and I trekked to FFF one weekday evening to see 6S101 in the showroom and shot photos of each other sitting in it (see attachment).
December 14, 1965 was a Tuesday, so my visit was likely on the previous Saturday, December 11th. Neither the transporter or any of the other cars were on site - believe me I would have noticed if they were! Given the note in reply #33 that the Caravan was at Young Ford in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 10th, the FFF photo was likely taken during the weekend that I saw it or on the following Monday. The distance from Harrisburg to its next reported stop in Moorestown, NJ is about 120 miles, so it would have taken the better part of a day to get to that destination and set the car up for display on the 14th.
I do not recall seeing any announcements or press coverage of the Caravan being in town, so I believe the Harrisburg stop may have been among several serendipitous visits it made along the tour. This could have been the result of some lobbying by the dealer, since as you can see from the photo, they had several GT350's in stock. And/or it could have been an opportunity to service the transporter at the dealer. Perhaps more details will emerge as we go along.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Bill. (It must have been neat to have a Shelby franchised dealer within walking distance)
You seem to be certain it was Saturday. Could it have been a day or two later, other than Saturday December 11, 1965?
According to the Caravan tour schedule those 4 touring vehicles were between Charlotte, NC (12/10) and Washington, DC (12/13).
I don't doubt you saw 5r213 in person, (that's very cool), but maybe it was a different day.
Thinking further about that location as a tour stop, maybe they stopped at the FFF dealer after the DC stop, later on the 13th, instead of the 14th for the Moorestown Mall day in southern NJ. (We currently know nothing about the DC location stop.)
Other possible dealership tour stops could be;
2nd stop; maybe 'S&C Motors' in San Francisco
4th stop; maybe 'Horn Williams' in Dallas, Texas
5th stop; maybe 'Milo Brooks Inc.' in Chicago, Illinois
8th stop; maybe Carey Paul Ford; in Decator, Georgia
12th stop; maybe 'Tasca Ford' in Providence, Rhode Island
Hello All,
thank you for the answers and new Pics and information
@Bill Collins
super nice explation from your Point to the "Francis for Fords"
on my seek i read the story befor, and your famous Pics, but now explained at a actual Point is very cool,
thanks a lot
I hope we find a little bit more, but this Dealer and other Pics are very hard to find.
@KR500
i now that fact but i have no other historic correct card for use, it is the same problem like on my other
thread form the 65 GT350 travel in europe
When anybody have such a nice, interactiv, card from 1965 - 1970 from USA in High Resolution send
a link, i will make again a better card for correkt time period route of the Cobra Caravan
@Richstang
thank you very much for the new Pics and Infos
i am very on fire to get more and more information, i hope you have also fun
best Point for getting "Bulletproof" Info ist that Newspaper.com site with a 7 Day for free trail
... i would hack the 45 articel in one night :-D
the "Young Ford" Pic i had also but with a "Do Not Copy" script all over the Pic, so cool to have in clean for the Card
and the archiv
the "Cobra Daytona at Hi-Performance" Pic is very stunning, becaue i have a lot of unamed, unsorted, undated
Pics collected and sometimes i get a new input and can create Time, Location and Backround Information
i have to more Pics from that, looks like the same Point and Data,
1 is from another Thread from you here in the Forum in beautyfull color and sharpness
(https://abload.de/img/csx228665-9-10hpmotorxykko.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=csx228665-9-10hpmotorxykko.jpg)
the other one have
(https://abload.de/img/tumblr_ou2y3khqu51qc2w5jqw.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=tumblr_ou2y3khqu51qc2w5jqw.jpg)
a little bit of side story, but is that all the same Daytona Coupe we have on the Cobra Caravan CSX2286
(https://abload.de/img/daytonabuildresize5qjz8.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=daytonabuildresize5qjz8.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/friedman_sai-1965-119dwkil.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=friedman_sai-1965-119dwkil.jpg)
New Card is added
(https://abload.de/img/newusk8m.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=newusk8m.png)
Quote from: Richstang on May 08, 2021, 06:28:33 PM
Thanks for sharing your story with us Bill. (It must have been neat to have a Shelby franchised dealer within walking distance)
You seem to be certain it was Saturday. Could it have been a day or two later, other than Saturday December 11, 1965?
According to the Caravan tour schedule those 4 touring vehicles were between Charlotte, NC (12/10) and Washington, DC (12/13).
I don't doubt you saw 5r213 in person, (that's very cool), but maybe it was a different day.
Thinking further about that location as a tour stop, maybe they stopped at the FFF dealer after the DC stop, later on the 13th, instead of the 14th for the Moorestown Mall day in southern NJ. (We currently know nothing about the DC location stop.)
Other possible dealership tour stops could be;
2nd stop; maybe 'S&C Motors' in San Francisco
4th stop; maybe 'Horn Williams' in Dallas, Texas
5th stop; maybe 'Milo Brooks Inc.' in Chicago, Illinois
8th stop; maybe Carey Paul Ford; in Decator, Georgia
12th stop; maybe 'Tasca Ford' in Providence, Rhode Island
i read again the "Moorestown Articel" and we must correct the Data of the Visit
The Articel was printed on the 14 Dec but inside the Articel stand clearly
"...I went shopping at the Moorestown Mall
yesterday and ... "
and
"He and his Cobra Caravan breezed into the Delaware Valley aera for a one-day stand yesterday at the Moorestown Mall.
Altough the Cars were on Disply all day long, Shelby had only a hour and a half for lunch with the press before flying back to Detroit"
So the Moorestown Event must be on 13th Dec 65.
but that is on trouble for the Washington Date ...
Edith:I found another "Preview" Articel where confirmed the "Moorestown Event" was on 13th Dec ...
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-09l1ksi.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-09l1ksi.png)
Quote from: Richstang on May 08, 2021, 06:28:33 PM
Thanks for sharing your story with us Bill. (It must have been neat to have a Shelby franchised dealer within walking distance)
You seem to be certain it was Saturday. Could it have been a day or two later, other than Saturday December 11, 1965?
According to the Caravan tour schedule those 4 touring vehicles were between Charlotte, NC (12/10) and Washington, DC (12/13).
I don't doubt you saw 5r213 in person, (that's very cool), but maybe it was a different day.
Thinking further about that location as a tour stop, maybe they stopped at the FFF dealer after the DC stop, later on the 13th, instead of the 14th for the Moorestown Mall day in southern NJ. (We currently know nothing about the DC location stop.)
Other possible dealership tour stops could be;
2nd stop; maybe 'S&C Motors' in San Francisco
4th stop; maybe 'Horn Williams' in Dallas, Texas
5th stop; maybe 'Milo Brooks Inc.' in Chicago, Illinois
8th stop; maybe Carey Paul Ford; in Decator, Georgia
12th stop; maybe 'Tasca Ford' in Providence, Rhode Island
Well, I am at an age where memory and reality sometimes do not align! ;D However, while it is possible I was there on other than a Saturday, I do recall it being during the day and the service department being closed, as there was no one around when I saw it.
At that time Pennsylvania had what were known as "blue laws" which prohibited many types of businesses from being open on Sundays, including car dealers, so we can definitely eliminate the 12th. It could have been on the 13th, but that being a weekday, I would have been in school. And being December, it would have been dark by the time I made the return walk home from FFF, so I consider that possibility unlikely.
There was a set of double doors in the back of the FFF showroom that led directly into the service area and 213 was parked in the bay nearest the doors. I attached another photo from 1970 - this is a snapshot taken inside the showroom by a FFF employee showing astronaut Frank Borman during his visit to the dealership. He is on the far right. FFF general manager Dave Roth is beside him. Harold Gross, who along with his brother Jack owned the dealership at the time, is on the left. The open doors can be seen between Gross and Roth.
While not entirely on topic, I have two other photos of Borman posing with employees during that visit. The first one shows Borman flanked by the Gross brothers, Harold on our left and Jack to the right. Roth is next to Jack. The distinctive framing and angle of the showroom windows is visible behind them. This is just inside where the Shelby lineup was photographed in 1965.
The second was taken at the exterior entrance to the showroom, facing the street. Note the corner of a '68 Shelby in the lower right with a Francis For Fords sticker on the deck lid.
I am acquainted with a few FFF employees from that time. It is a long shot, but I can ask them if they recall any of the circumstances regarding 213's stop at the dealership.
Quote from: Richstang on May 08, 2021, 06:28:33 PM
Other possible dealership tour stops could be;
2nd stop; maybe 'S&C Motors' in San Francisco --- Confirmed via Newspaper Articel --- "Emporium" Market Street, ca. 2 Miles from S&C Motors
4th stop; maybe 'Horn Williams' in Dallas, Texas
5th stop; maybe 'Milo Brooks Inc.' in Chicago, Illinois
8th stop; maybe Carey Paul Ford; in Decator, Georgia
12th stop; maybe 'Tasca Ford' in Providence, Rhode Island
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-10h8kr6.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-10h8kr6.png)
Stephan's snippet on the San Francisco article is a great find! 'The Emporium' was based in San Francisco and was the original store location. (Also known as 'The Big E'.) Since it was in the city, there really is no space for the Cobra Caravan at the front entrance. The 4 cars might have been displayed inside, in the front & center foyer. Maybe there was an alternative parking area in the back. It's a shame there are no photos.
Bill,
Your memory sounds very sharp to me. I had completely forgotten about the 'Blue Laws'. I believe they are still in effect in Bergen County, NJ. If I recall, no clothing sales or car sales were/are allowed on Sundays, Yes, dealerships were/are closed. Most auto service departments are also closed on Saturdays, Your timing fits. Perhaps this Caravan WAS stopped there on December 11th. And as you said, maybe some service work was needed, or it was simply a safe place to park overnight on route to the next stop.
Stephan,
The article, noting the Moorestown stop on Dec 13th, might suggest this was a 'revised' stop location. Maybe the Washington DC stop was scrubbed off the list.
I checked the 'newpapers.com' website. They require a login with an email address for the 'FREE' access. I'm always leery of these types of marketing ploys as I get enough spam. The site also notes some states without a tour stop, such as Florida and Arizona. Australia...huh???
guaranteed this is
CSX2287; the door cutline is unique to this car
Quote from: Szabo on May 09, 2021, 03:40:00 PM...a little bit of side story, but is that all the same Daytona Coupe we have on the Cobra Caravan CSX2286
(https://abload.de/img/daytonabuildresize5qjz8.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=daytonabuildresize5qjz8.jpg)
Thanks for the answer,
i create a limited newspaper.com access where i can seek better but only get snipped articel...
so now we can see where in the USA Articel was in newspaper shown ...
i will try to find new input and points of interest
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-11u5k08.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-11u5k08.png)
Meanwhile i found a nice advertisment from S&C Motors for the Cobra Caravan Tour,
shown in "Autoweek" 11 Dec 1965
(https://abload.de/img/11dec1965autoweekscmou4j0m.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=11dec1965autoweekscmou4j0m.png)
on another Autoweek Issue it is spoken from a Performance Show on 10 Oct 1965,
what make me struggeling was the pic showed with a GT40 number 7 on the side and
white stripe on the front, looks like P1004 was on visit befor the Caravan tour
Of course, the distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco was not so high, so P/1004
will not stay the hole time between 10 Oct and 18 Nov
(https://abload.de/img/scmotorsperformanceshdrktx.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=scmotorsperformanceshdrktx.png)
(https://abload.de/img/scperformanceshowoct8o3jl0.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=scperformanceshowoct8o3jl0.png)
the other thing i found was a glimpse of the Young Ford North Carolina Stop 10 Dec
too bad i get no higher resolution of that advertisment at the moment
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-099sjmh.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-099sjmh.png)
@SunDude
thanks for explained the Daytona as CSX2287
@Richstang
Thanks for compliment, i thank you for the Pic of the Emporium, very nice to see ...
You are braver researcher than I am Stephan. I was not willing to go that extra mile for the newspaper website access.
It seems the San Francisco "Emporium' stop (835 Market Street) was several blocks away from S&C Motors (2001 Market Street)
Here's a better copy of the Charlotte Young Ford ad. This version is nice and clear.
The Winter Sports Fair at the 'Cow Palace' is a new event for my files. P/1004 seems to be displayed in many USA locations throughout 1965. Maybe, it's going to need its own thread too...like GT/108. (for another day)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/204-120521164056.jpeg)
Thanks Rich,
i am not braver as you, my wife means i am more nuts to check everywhere in when there a Shelby news :-D
Thanks also vor the higher resolution Pic of the Young Ford Event ... thats the cream of the cake when there are sharp pics
and advertiments
I will go on with the 3.rd Stop in Kansas City, Missouri, 23. November 1965
i find only a big advertisment with a very little Note that the Cobra Caravan is comeing in Town
Gladfully there stands the place to be: Commerce Tower Plaza
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-12fajic.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-12fajic.png)
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-12o3ki0.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-12o3ki0.png)
i hope to find the right Building (seems very hard for me from Germany to find old USA Buildings from 1965)
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-12wnkbt.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-12wnkbt.png)
(https://abload.de/img/image-assetq7joo.jpeg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=image-assetq7joo.jpeg)
Edith:
on 24th November there was a pic on the Kansas City Times
it is very bad quality but we can see the Daytona Coupe with that on the Windshild,
Mr. Shelby and in the backround stands P/1004 with this white stripe over the nose
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-139hjho.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-139hjho.png)
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-137vkro.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-137vkro.png)
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-1354k2u.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-1354k2u.png)
You found another stop. Well done again.
The building photo matches the Commerce (Bank) Tower Plaza description.
That blurry photo doesn't appear to show the sponsor/dealership name for that ad.
There is nothing to help us on that one.
Tell you're wife, we're all a bit nuts
;)
i found some Information for the 4.th Stop
in Dallas, 26. November 1965
it was pretty hard to find, because the Term "Cobra Caravan"
brings no results ...
I tryed it with other terms and found it in an Articel
(again sadly only a bad screenshot)
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-139njtd.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-139njtd.png)
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-14gjk61.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-14gjk61.png)
but when you see a very little you can see it clearly inside
the text.
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-13wnkii.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-13wnkii.png)
the North Park was really the NorthPark Center on the Loop 12 street/highway,
which cost me nearly an hour from Germany didnt know the location,
but there are time correct Pics found for that location...
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-136ajzo.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-136ajzo.png)
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-13fokrk.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-13fokrk.png)
here a llink to a nice video for the 50 Aniversary of the Center,
maybe somebody knows like Rich knows the Moorestown Mall ... :)
https://youtu.be/IeWJ1YGfJag
Only thing missed is a really bulletproofed Pic from the Caravan
or the vehicels on the Point.
Next Stop would be Chicago, Nov. 30,
but there is nothing to find, so any Information / Pic is need and welcome
Stephan, your peeling the decades old layers from all the unknown details on the Cobra Caravan!
Thanks for all your efforts!
I didn't find much information either, but I did see that the 'NorthPark Center' in Dallas, was established in August 1965, and the largest indoor climate controlled retail center of the time.
The pattern we're starting to see is the Caravan tour stops were strategic 'destination locations' throughout the USA. I had expected more tie-ins to Shelby franchised dealers, but the Shelby American PR group appeared to be focused more on stops with the most people traffic for each of the major cities for maximum exposure to the public. The few photos found previously, of the cars at the various tour stops, led us (me) to that old theory.
I can't offer much of anything about the November 30th; Chicago, Illinois stop.
I'll look for any 1965 'places to be' and report back here if I find anything
Edit;
So far all I found for Illinois (Chicago) as a possible stop was the "Ford City Mall'
I'll remove this part of the post if it proves to be off base.
Hello Rich,
thanks a lot for your friendly words...
To find some time correct and bulletproofed Details is the most fun, but always a big disappointment when
you find nothing in hours of searching. But you will also knowing this Curse and blessing for the search thing.
for the 5th stop in Chicago i found still nothing, i tryed it with "Ford City Mall" but nothing wich indicate the tour or the book
on this one...
For the 6th stop in Detroit, on 2. Dec 1965 it looks a way better
I found a very, very small mention of the "Cobra Caravan" on an advertisement
from some Ford dealers.
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-12vskcv.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-12vskcv.png)
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-12stkxv.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-12stkxv.png)
and surley some or all knows the Pic from all the Cars in a row
at the Cobo Hall in Detroit
(https://abload.de/img/detroitautoshow1pnku1.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=detroitautoshow1pnku1.jpg)
i was able to find some more pics, dont know if there known or unkown
but for me it is good to see them in a nice row.
(https://abload.de/img/detroitcobohalln5jzi.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=detroitcobohalln5jzi.png)
(https://abload.de/img/detroitautoshow2l7j4b.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=detroitautoshow2l7j4b.jpg)
Loading or unloading ???
(https://abload.de/img/detroittmj1m.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=detroittmj1m.png)
Last Pic for me was the most unkown and surprising one becaue we see also
more cars like a 66 GT350 and a street Cobar with a sticker "Offical Car"
(https://abload.de/img/de1870b22ff54558c2d65g9jbd.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=de1870b22ff54558c2d65g9jbd.jpg)
Hope you have fun and soon comes Stop Nr. 7
Stephan,
The posted articles are very difficult to read, even with the close-up. Can you tell us what it says?
That left side/street view of the line-up of the Caravan cars is a 'new to me' photo. Thanks for posting it!
I have seen the R model unloading down the ramps, but you posted a larger photo of it. Nice.
The demonstrator GT350 (no stripes) and the 'Official Car' Cobra (csx3127?) look ready to go
Quote from: Szabo on May 16, 2021, 04:27:37 PM
Loading or unloading ???
(https://abload.de/img/detroittmj1m.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=detroittmj1m.png)
This is great! Do you have a link to the Youtube video? Or file name that we could look up?
Quote from: silverton_ford on May 16, 2021, 11:14:17 PM
Quote from: Szabo on May 16, 2021, 04:27:37 PM
Loading or unloading ???
(https://abload.de/img/detroittmj1m.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=detroittmj1m.png)
This is great! Do you have a link to the Youtube video? Or file name that we could look up?
It's not video footage, just a still shot in a Mecum video of 5r211.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaSlOwrooZ8
Hello,
thanks Rich for setting the Link to the Video, to bad there is no more
old authentic Pics. but better 1 new thand 10 old ones
the only line which includes the "Cobra Caravan" is telling that the Event was on 2. Dec at Cobo Arena, Main entrance
all the rest of the side is about used Car Guaranee ???
and of course i mean DETROIT and not Dallas, i will edit this.
That is the best dressed, best behaved, crowd of spectators at Cobo Hall that I've ever seen.
It's not the good ol' days anymore.
Quote from: Side-Oilers on May 17, 2021, 10:54:42 PM
That is the best dressed, best behaved, crowd of spectators at Cobo Hall that I've ever seen.
It's not the good ol' days anymore.
I was thinking along those lines too.
Hello all,
i continue with 2 more stops for the Cobra Caravan Tour
7th stop on Cleveland was 4 Dec 1965,
on the Severance Plaza Shopping Center
the location fits perfect to the new therory that the "Cobra Caravan" plans to get most people on one spot
Sadly i found no Pics from the Caravan or any Cars on a spot
(https://abload.de/img/19651202dailyreporter7djy6.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=19651202dailyreporter7djy6.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/aerial-view-of-severa9tj5y.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=aerial-view-of-severa9tj5y.jpg)
8th Stop was on Atlanta, 8 Dec 1965
EDITH: LENOX Square Plaza
inside one Newspaper it was written on Page 45 the location was the
Square Plaza at Atlanta, which is also a perfect match for the tour
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-12bojt6.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-12bojt6.png)
(https://abload.de/img/6c86cfdd706ed2c31b7eei1kfp.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=6c86cfdd706ed2c31b7eei1kfp.jpg)
on the same newspaper on Page 50 is a very nice advertisment
of the Elson´s Book Store on LENOX SQUARE
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-144yktv.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-144yktv.png)
i found also a Pic from the Lenox Square but is this the same Place or
another place like Square Plaza ??? EDITH: it is the same Place !!!
(https://abload.de/img/13a_newplazacourtaug17pkpn.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=13a_newplazacourtaug17pkpn.jpg)
So, any thoughts about that stops
Greets from Germany
Stephan
The modiefid Card
(https://abload.de/img/newrckzo.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=newrckzo.png)
Thanks Stephan for keeping this search moving forward.
Although Mike "Honker" posted the Cleveland article earlier, you've added a photo of the location (We like photos)
My notes have the Severance Plaza in Cleveland established October 1963, as Ohio's first indoor shopping center.
It appears the Lenox Square is the Caravan stop location for Atlanta. It was noted as that cities first Mall established in 1959.
The Carroll Shelby signing at the book store makes sense as the Caravan was coinciding with the the book tour.
I'm still a bit surprise we don't have more photos of the cars or CS at any of these numerous big city stops.
Quote from: Szabo on May 19, 2021, 05:27:07 PM
The modiefid Card
(https://abload.de/img/newrckzo.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=newrckzo.png)
Wow the map is really filling in nicely.
Did they miss an opportunity for a stop in Salt Lake City or Denver.
Maybe those were smaller cities in late 1965, but it seems that whole section of the country was passed over.
Post 2 on this thread has the schedule
(http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14479.0;attach=63323;image)
Great SA historical thread.
Two observations:
Looking at the map, that's a lot of miles driven particularly considering that large interstate highway segments had yet to be completed.
Also the tractor appears to be a 64/65 H-series ( in 65, HT if the diesel was turbocharged). While there was a sleeper compartment, it's not like the units today. Presumably, they stopped each night to eat and rest.
Question: Any clue who the drivers were?
Quote from: 68countrysedan on May 19, 2021, 07:06:19 PM
Great SA historical thread.
Two observations:
Looking at the map, that's a lot of miles driven particularly considering that large interstate highway segments had yet to be completed.
Also the tractor appears to be a 64/65 H-series ( in 65, HT if the diesel was turbocharged). While there was a sleeper compartment, it's not like the units today. Presumably, they stopped each night to eat and rest.
Question: Any clue who the drivers were?
Good question on the Drivers name(s). I don't recall any ever noted.
Bob Wyatt Jr. was noted as a Diesel Driver in 1967.
Doug Dyer was another name mentioned as a driver, but maybe from 66-68
Joe Freitas was noted as a truck driver, but he was noted with the race teams in 63-65? The Caravan tour was off-season
I think the Tractors were leased for two or three years.
Hey all,
i read the Atlanta newspaper again und make more words to match
There is no "Square Plaza" and "Lenox Square" like you see in the Pics...
when you better look, the 1st articel also says Lenox Square Plaza
the overlook is the right for Lenox Square Plaza
i will edit the post a little bit.
For today i want to come back to Detroit with 3 new pics, i found the full pics for some Close-Up Pics
in the first thread about Detroit spot.
old Close up pic
(https://abload.de/img/detroitautoshow26ij5l.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=detroitautoshow26ij5l.jpg)
new pic in full glory
(https://abload.de/img/s-l1600ffff2xjxa.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=s-l1600ffff2xjxa.jpg)
old pic from the video
(https://abload.de/img/detroit9kj1e.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=detroit9kj1e.png)
new pic, same people, same positions in the Backround
(https://abload.de/img/aaaad7ljyw.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=aaaad7ljyw.jpg)
the 3rd pic is totally new and dont compare to the other Pic seen
befor with the edge "Personal Car" Sticker on the Cobra windshield
(https://abload.de/img/fsfs1rj6y.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=fsfs1rj6y.jpg)
and the Pic also gets new questions
- was the Cobra and GT350 "Transportation Cars" for the C.S. and Pat Merone for example
- what CSX was the 427 Street Cobra ?
i read a lot of all Cobra Caravan articel i can found and on a very old website there are two
therms, one is about Pat Merone drive the Cobra in town
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-20mejfk.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-20mejfk.png)
the other about CSX3162 who later deliverd at Tasca Ford about the Caravan to the new owner
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-20xwkcc.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-20xwkcc.png)
that story about "Cobra is deliverd thruw the Caravan" i read several times and even
the Mecum Site is pushing this info about the auction sale,
see the Link
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0120-407845/1966-shelby-427-cobra-roadster/
at the other side we know that a red 427 Cobra was also often seen at LAX as a pre-production
or first 427 Street Cobra build
i am not so good in all the Cobra Things, maybe can help me a little bit for the CSX
See ya tomorrow
Stephan
5R213 goes across the Mecum Indy block tomorrow!
It appears the Atlanta stop was officially at the 'Lennox Square Plaza'.
It was also known as simply the 'Lennox Square' as we see in the Carroll Shelby book signing ad for 'Elson's book store'.
Thanks for showing us the NYC photos in both the small clips and full size shots.
Too bad we don't have better photos of those larger pictures. Those are the same photos I've seen, in the faded tint.
Besides the 4 displayed race cars, it appears there were the 2 street cars used for demonstration rides. This might be noted in the Caravan Press kit. Yes, Pat Mernone was the main driver of the street Cobra. That street Cobra might be csx3127, but nobody has confirmed that. CONFIRMED csx3127. It was displayed at the "BRENTANOS' book store in New York City where Carroll did a book signing. I suspect that was the day after the Caravan stop.
http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=14480.msg119191#msg119191
I am confident they did not make any deliveries during the Cobra Caravan Tour. Providence, RI was the last stop of the tour, but we know the tour was over December 17th, 1965. The old forum post owner's son and Mecum have their facts off, or someone embellished the story to boost the selling price of that other Cobra. I don't believe the Cobra csx3162 mentioned was ever on the tour. Also, it is very unlikely the Super Snake Cobra was there. The blue Cobra on the tour is known to be csx3011. After the tour ended they continued to use the same painted tractor trailer for deliveries and transportation of race cars to the tracks. We've seen photo evidence of that. That is very likely when this other Cobra was delivered. Perhaps there were other race cars on the transporter, but not the cars mentioned. Shelby American would not be delivering Ford GT street or race cars.
(That other website is active site, but those are very old posts.)
The red street Cobra at LAX in the PR photos is said to be csx3101, not the same car as the other Cobra's discussed.
Hi Rich,
Thank you for your explanations, also about the various Cobras CSX ...
I go on with the 9th Stop on
Young Ford in Charlotte, North Carolina
nothing new at the moment, but to proceed chronologically
just for right Moment
Young Ford make some big ads in the newspaper and gladfully
there is this Pic with CS and the Daytona
(https://abload.de/img/204-120521164056xfkiu.jpeg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=204-120521164056xfkiu.jpeg)
(https://abload.de/img/65-12-10caravancharlo07kai.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=65-12-10caravancharlo07kai.jpg)
slightly different but only as bad screenshot
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-1258jne.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-1258jne.png)
So, the next stop is more exitet, because it stands not on the regular List ...
Stay tuned, i am just doing a little research for some nice pics
Stephan
Hello,
here is a new to me Stop
it was on the 11. Dec 1965 in Philadelphia at the
Cedarbrook Mall in Wyncote in
a "Mustang Shop" from WM. H. Wanamaker
it seems that this is Book signature Stop an not even a hole
CC Stop, so maybe only Carroll Shelby comes
i made a collage of the advertisment to better read it
with a full membership this would be more fun, but
i do what i can do and cant do a full membership to
the site.
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-142lkwx.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-142lkwx.png)
for the Cedarbrook Mall i only found some Pics, but one
is with the "Wannamaker" Shop inside the Mall
any thought to that, Wanamaker seems not a "mechanical or Car Shop"
more a Cloth Shop or so ???
Edith: Outside look
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-2203kle.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-2203kle.png)
Edith: Inside Look
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-22zsjo1.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-22zsjo1.png)
Links for the Pic about Cedarbrook Mall: https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/image_gallery.cfm/878245
Now a days Pics from Google Map, it seems the the
Cedarbrook Mall was not so large like the other Malls
from pre Stops
(https://abload.de/img/unbenannteeenbksy.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=unbenannteeenbksy.png)
(https://abload.de/img/aadf8kjvd.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=aadf8kjvd.png)
Next Stop was at Moorestown Mall in New Jersey, at 13 Dec 1965
here with the full Cobra Caravan Stop
The two Town, Wynconte and Moorestown, seems pretty close on Google Maps,
is that right ?
This is a another surprise!
It does appear Carroll Shelby's December 11th stop at Cedarbrook Mall was exactly as Stephan mentioned
(a book signing at Wanamakers; department store).
While I am not familiar with the location it looks to be about 35-40 minutes northwest from the Moorestown Mall (NJ), across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania.
This discovery has me wondering what other places Carroll stops at for book signings along the Caravan Tour route.
This continues to be really interesting as it unfolds.
FYI, the B&W photo posted is Woolworth's not Wanamakers.
(for Stephan; Woolworth's was a smaller department store know as a 5&10 store. It sold less expensive everyday items.
Wanamaker's was a larger department store which I believe was more focused on clothing and more expensive items.)
EDIT:
Wm. H. Wanamaker's' in Cedarbrook Mall appears to be just a clothing store within the anchor stores. Stephan did mention that.
Great where details continue. But do we know any whos?
As in who conceived the Cobra Caravan? Was it CS? Was it someone at Ford? Was it the Corbra Story publisher?
Who planned the route and display stops? Did dealers phone in saying they wanted a show date?
Finally, whose's pr budget(s) footed the travel costs?
Quote from: 68countrysedan on May 22, 2021, 07:25:01 PM
Great where details continue. But do we know any whos?
As in who conceived the Cobra Caravan? Was it CS? Was it someone at Ford? Was it the Corbra Story publisher?
Who planned the route and display stops? Did dealers phone in saying they wanted a show date?
Finally, whose's pr budget(s) footed the travel costs?
The Caravan press kit only discusses the cars and a few other details (Carroll's book and Pat Mernone, the demonstrator driver).
I'd imagine Shelby American footed the bill for all travel and expenses.
The PR director at the time was D.Max Muhleman who is credited with the Caravan Tour.
(He might have worked at SAI from '65-'67)
There's no documents that list any more details that I'm aware of. They would be interesting to see any if they existed.
Thanks for the replys
i agree that there must be more than only the breadcumps
i really wonder that no other Pics are in the WWW or even Showed somewhere of that
cars or the Caravan...
i read about a "Geoff Daigle" who has made some Pics on Hi-Performance Motors but the
Pics are not seen anymore ... Maybe someone here has on his computer saved
i will go on in the Timeline with a little surprise when beginning the search
The Caravan shows for 13 Dec a Stop in Washington but there is nothing to find
anywhere for a real Stop in Washington
What i found was a perfect Match for 10th Stop at 13 Dec
the Moorestown Mall in New Jersey
The Book Signing at Wyncote (Cedarbrook Plaza) 11 Dec and the
Caravan Stop for 13 Dec at New Jersey (Moorestown Mall)
fit also very good with the famous "Francis by Fords" Pic
bespoken befor here at nearly the same time code,
all the 3 Points are at nearly the same Line befor New York City at 15 Dec
but let see some pics first
Articel where at Dec 9, 12 and 14 in several Newspaper
The Pic for the Daytona is from the Press Pac
(https://abload.de/img/19651214bristoldailyc1wkal.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=19651214bristoldailyc1wkal.jpg)
a closer look for Pat Merone driving the Street 427 Cobra,
it seems that is a real Pic from the event and not a PR or Press Pack Pic
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-09d1kxu.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-09d1kxu.png)
and here the Pic for Moorestown Mall in the foreground,
also huge place for visitors, a Caravan and 6 Cars,
build new in 1963, the highway 295 on the right side
(https://abload.de/img/viewyrkx0.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=viewyrkx0.jpg)
Quote from: Bill Collins on May 08, 2021, 11:30:01 AM
Quote from: Richstang on May 06, 2021, 11:24:32 PM
Thanks for the newspaper article source. The article is difficult to read. I'll have to check out that website.
Besides the December 14th stop at the Moorestown Mall in NJ...
They appear to have stopped earlier that day at the 'FRANCIS for FORDS' dealer in Harrisburg, PA.
5R213 is pictured, parked in front of the dealership, with other GT350s in this attached photo.
There's no sign of the other cars or the Transporter, but they might be parked next to the camera view point...
or
it was a quick stop for a photo opportunity with the R model. (less likely)
I was in high school in 1965 and lived about a half hours' walk from Francis For Fords. I often haunted the place on weekends, since they had the Shelby franchise and there were always interesting cars to look at.
I saw 5R213 purely by chance during one of these visits. It was on a Saturday and it was unceremoniously parked inside in the service department, which did not operate on weekends. I could hardly believe my eyes! Unfortunately, I was not carrying a camera, unlike the month previous when a friend and I trekked to FFF one weekday evening to see 6S101 in the showroom and shot photos of each other sitting in it (see attachment).
December 14, 1965 was a Tuesday, so my visit was likely on the previous Saturday, December 11th. Neither the transporter or any of the other cars were on site - believe me I would have noticed if they were! Given the note in reply #33 that the Caravan was at Young Ford in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 10th, the FFF photo was likely taken during the weekend that I saw it or on the following Monday. The distance from Harrisburg to its next reported stop in Moorestown, NJ is about 120 miles, so it would have taken the better part of a day to get to that destination and set the car up for display on the 14th.
I do not recall seeing any announcements or press coverage of the Caravan being in town, so I believe the Harrisburg stop may have been among several serendipitous visits it made along the tour. This could have been the result of some lobbying by the dealer, since as you can see from the photo, they had several GT350's in stock. And/or it could have been an opportunity to service the transporter at the dealer. Perhaps more details will emerge as we go along.
Like i sayed befor, the famous pic was not as 11 or 13 Dec,
but the location fits perfect in the Wyncote and New Jersay location...
i only want to ad a nicly
Francis by Fords Dealer Card,
i really found nothing more about the building ( bird view ) or
some other materials...
@Bill Collins ... do you have any more Pics about the Dealer itself or even
have a oppotunity to contact one of the employees ?
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-23yvjlp.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-23yvjlp.png)
(https://abload.de/img/1966gt350satfrancisfooyjcy.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=1966gt350satfrancisfooyjcy.jpg)
Quote from: Szabo on May 24, 2021, 06:29:08 PM
What i found was a perfect Match for 10th Stop at 13 Dec, the Moorestown Mall in New Jersey
and here the Pic for Moorestown Mall in the foreground, also huge place for visitors, a Caravan and 6 Cars,
build new in 1963, the highway 295 on the right side
(https://abload.de/img/viewyrkx0.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=viewyrkx0.jpg)
Not that many people would care but...That aerial view looks really dated!
The entire wooded forest between RT295, on the right, and the mall is now a small road with an exit ramp.
The whole wooded area is filled with stores, restaurants, etc. (The photo is looking north)
RT 38 is to the left side of the mall and the NJ turnpike is just peeking in on the upper right.
Ah, Rich, you're really showing your Jersey roots now! ;)
Yea, that might not be a good thing. We get a lot of abuse here despite some of the nicer places to live,
Moorestown was voted one of the best places to live in the country a few years ago. It's very nice, but....
Quote from: Richstang on May 24, 2021, 11:56:52 PM
Not that many people would care but...That aerial view looks really dated!
The entire wooded forest between RT295, on the right, and the mall is now a small road with an exit ramp.
The whole wooded area is filled with stores, restaurants, etc. (The photo is looking north)
RT 38 is to the left side of the mall and the NJ turnpike is just peeking in on the upper right.
The Pic is dated from 1977
The
11th Stop was 15 Dec 65 in New York City, where the Thread begin
i will not repost the Pics from the Revs, but i looked again and it is wonderfull
to see everytime something new
for the
Union Carbide Building, 270 Park Avenue, New York City i found some Pics
(https://abload.de/img/union-carbide-buildiniwksv.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=union-carbide-buildiniwksv.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-25z3jzu.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-25z3jzu.png)
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-25r9jhk.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-25r9jhk.png)
Edith:
Of course, the
Book signature Event at BRENTANOS Book Store was also at Cobra Caravan Tour,
i was not able where the Store was in NYC, anybody knows that ???
special for me is the parking 427 Street Cobra ...
(https://abload.de/img/defaultv0kyg.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=defaultv0kyg.jpg)
The book signing at BRENTANOS might have be at the main location noted as; 5th Ave at 27th street
Hey all,
last stop for CC should be at Providence, 17 Dec 65, Rhode Island
but like Chicago and Washington i found still nothing ... of course when i read
something about Providence the first thing i think is TASCA and his high performance Cars
also we know that TASCA sell 5S213 later to Peru with other GT350 R
but like i say, there is nothing to read, and no pic at all
(but for sure i will not give up, best evidence is the GT/108 Thread where i found the last puzzle piece
after nearly a year on a new database where i find)
i will add the modified map with the known and new to know Point of the Tour
(https://abload.de/img/newf5jyr.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=newf5jyr.png)
But there is a lot new to material which i discoverd, so will make a few more
replys here, hope you still enjoy and maybe can give an answer
First of all the Rest i will show the Cobra Caravan Press Pack,
like the 65 & 66 Press Packs a rare item today
(https://abload.de/img/0vnjkc.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=0vnjkc.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/1dajxs.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=1dajxs.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/3a5k6i.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=3a5k6i.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/54ojrv.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=54ojrv.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/7e6kkv.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=7e6kkv.jpg)
Often i read about 5 Pics with Text but there was 6 Pics with a text in the Pack,
some Paperwork too which i dont find in good reading resolution, so when somebody have
this paperwork, please let me know or post here, maybe there is something
knew to know
(https://abload.de/img/151rgjoq.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=151rgjoq.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/152u2kzp.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=152u2kzp.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/171tak66.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=171tak66.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/172d1k1l.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=172d1k1l.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/181u6kon.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=181u6kon.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/18242klc.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=18242klc.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/201ocknr.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=201ocknr.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/202jik07.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=202jik07.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/251iujtq.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=251iujtq.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/252o7kcz.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=252o7kcz.jpg)
The Pic that sometime is missing is that Cobra Daytona Pic, which is also in the later 66 Press Pack
the text is different, so only with both together you have the Pack complete
(https://abload.de/img/281d6k2k.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=281d6k2k.jpg)
(https://abload.de/img/282t7j3i.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=282t7j3i.jpg)
Next Step is to look at the history of the Cars little befor and after the Tour,
to make some "proofed" or "not proofed" decisions
and to have a look of a little intern paperwork
Hope you enjoy ?
Well done. You are one of the best researchers in my opinion. You should contact Mr Kopec and submit this for the magazine!
Stephan,
I have no doubt you will continue to look for the breadcrumbs of this Caravan tour and the book signing stops.
It's too bad nothing has appeared for Chicago or Providence!
I still think D.C. was replaced with the Moorestown NJ stop, since it's the same date.
Thanks for posting all the press kit photos and small articles with each one. Mike (Honker) posted 3 of them earlier in the thread, but you finished it up here with all 6 photos and the attached articles.
Your photos show at least 5 pages of copy with the press kit. 1 of those 5 looks to have a staple so maybe it is 2 pages or more. I have been looking for readable copies of those (without purchasing one, that will only collect dust with me).
There may be more than 5.
Excellent job, Stephan! Thanks for all the new info.
The Caravan drivers sure saw a "lot of nowhere" between Nevada and Dallas, taking the long way.
What happened to the transporter and cars after they finished the last destination on the east coast? I'd assume that the same transport truck and drivers brought it all back to Imperial Bl. Does anyone know?
Quote from: Side-Oilers on May 28, 2021, 12:30:19 AM
Excellent job, Stephan! Thanks for all the new info.
The Caravan drivers sure saw a "lot of nowhere" between Nevada and Dallas, taking the long way.
What happened to the transporter and cars after they finished the last destination on the east coast? I'd assume that the same transport truck and drivers brought it all back to Imperial Bl. Does anyone know?
Stephan is determined. We like that!
The transporter shows up after the tour in a few photos (some shown earlier in this thread). The SAI race team continued to use the transporter painted in the Caravan paint scheme, as it shows up in random places like Riverside in '66 and '67. It was also used for a few deliveries, off season, around the country. It seems to disappear sometime later in 1967, but the trailer might have been repainted in the new Trans am team blue paint color for 1968. The cab was probably upgraded to a newer model, possible in late '67.
I sent Stephan an email that we could talk about the cars, perhaps in another thread. There are several photos of them before the Caravan, but it gets tough to find them afterwards.
Quote from: Tired Sheep on May 27, 2021, 04:55:55 PM
Well done. You are one of the best researchers in my opinion. You should contact Mr Kopec and submit this for the magazine!
Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart ... I personal think that i dont have this depth knowaledge of all the little things come together,
Rich (Richstang) or Kieth (SFM66H), Brian Styles (SRG Research) or Pete (Coralsnake) are so much deeper in the rabbit hole then i,
and i dont have Access to the sources of SAAC, which would bringing me to a hole new level with some hard bulletproofed details
Most important is to Thank Rich (Richstang), we have email contact and he always helped me with Pics and informationI am a little shy to contact Mr. Kopec or Mr. Pardee but maybe i should just do it ...
i will continue with some loose Pics and Information i found on my research,
your thought are very welcome...
A little surprise for me was this vinyl record to promote the Book ...please check http://www.vernonestesclassics.com/memorabiliaandparts
(https://abload.de/img/183008268_29098138092slk7d.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=183008268_29098138092slk7d.jpg)
and because there was closly befor X-Mas 1965
there was given the
X-Mas Card also to the book sometimes ...
(https://abload.de/img/82445_auto_front_3-4_ggjeq.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=82445_auto_front_3-4_ggjeq.jpg)
For
Pat Mernone (often the Family Name was described as "Merone") i found a photo shooting
for the later Press Pack Pic, sitting in the ACE Cobra, dated in New York May 1965
https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/results?search=cobra+new+york+pat&collection=p17257coll1&CISOSEARCHALL=cobra+new+york+pat&CISOSEARCHALL=cobra+new+york+pat
https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=629907&collection=p17257coll1
and for the
Stop in Charlotte there was also a nice Pic in a Newspaper, sitting in the
Comp Cobra 427
(https://abload.de/img/screenshot_2021-05-288zksb.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=screenshot_2021-05-288zksb.png)
Thanks to Rich i can also post the Pic from the
Caravan on LAX befor getting on Tour, Rich identify the
GT40 as P1018 and the Date to beginning of November(https://abload.de/img/jt84abx58jxm8dkrd.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=jt84abx58jxm8dkrd.jpg)
my personal highlight was to find an Shelby Invoice and something like a "Movement Report" to a company,
this will bring the hole "Cobra Caravan" to a new twist ...
Gladfully we can confirm which Cars exactly was on the Tour, inclusiv the Car Numbers
totally there was 6 Cars on the Tour, 4 in the Caravan, 2 street driven as encourage
the Daytona was CSX2286, the 427 Competiton Cobra CSX3011, the Ford GT was P/1004 and GT350R was 5R213
the Red Street Cobra 427 was CSX3127 and the 66 GT350 was SFM 6S120
(https://abload.de/img/unbenanntstjo5.png) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=unbenanntstjo5.png)
this packing list from SAI to Hi-Performance Motors was also a big surprise and let me and Rich searching meanwhile
all about the Tour befor the Tour
(https://abload.de/img/packinglisthiperformalqkll.jpg) (https://abload.de/image.php?img=packinglisthiperformalqkll.jpg)
Another Caravan aspect occurred to me and that's weather, due to the November/December time frame.
Obviously, based on photos, it was mild considering what eastern weather could have been. So it is amazing that weather was never an issue. I looked up weather reports for the following cities:
Nov. 23/ Kanas City: high temp: 62 wind average 13 mph no precipitation
Dec. 2/ Detroit: high temp: 45 wind average 15 mph no precipitation
Dec 15/ New York: high temp 45 wind average 13 no preciptation
So the Caravan managed to dodge snow, rain, or deep freeze temperatures. Kanas City had a heat wave while Detroit and NY was relatively cool with a wind chill. Not a big deal for easterners, but turn out might have been reduced.
That is a very good point.
November thru December is cool to cold in the east, but ending in mid December in Providence, RI seems a bit risky.
Running the tour in reverse, might have been a safer alternative, but in the end it all worked out fine.
Looks like there had been a recent rain at SAI too. A couple of large puddles visible in the pix with CS in the black GT40.
I think the very top of that photo has been airbrushed. Notice the greyed-out background past the blast wall?
Here's a photo of the Cobra Caravan hauler at Riverside for the ARRC ( American Road Race Of Champions) event, late November
1966.
Mike
(photo: Wayne Hill, from the Steve Holmes "Racing Mustangs" book published 2020, by Veloce)
Thanks Mike, I saw the photo, but never thought to post it here.
Here is the entire Francis Ford image from reply 72 posting.
Take care
Cory