SAAC Forum

If you own a '69-'70 Shelby contact Registrar, Vinnie Liska, to verify the information he has on your car. This is up to you. Vinnie does not have time to personally contact you, email him at vinman@infionline.net

As for a picture of your car, you may be surprised at some of the crappy pictures we get for some of the cars. We are looking for cars in sharp focus with uncluttered backgrounds, hoods closed please. Front ¾ or side views are best. Feel free to send more than one. Include your serial number with your picture.

---->  Send your '69-'70 Shelby Mustang photos to photos@saac.com <----

All information to Vinnie needs to be submitted before Aug. 1st.
You know how important it is to have the Registry up to date. Do not be left out, not a good time to procrastinate.

The 1967 Registry is in its final editing. We will be sending out an Eblast  to all members to announce the opening of pre-orders for the 1967 Shelby Mustang Registry.

There has been some ...uhh.. "spirited" discussion lately about the perceived "intrusion" of Lounge posts in the overall stream of the Forum.

I have always maintained that an Off-Topic area, like the Lounge, is a necessary component of any community Forum... since it allows us to show our "human" side and discuss non-car related stuff. Sometimes, it appears that showing that side is not so good... but nevertheless, I feel it's necessary.

To those that complain, I always respond that if the Lounge bothers you, then don't read it....simple solution.

To help the cause... I have MODIFIED the software to NO LONGER show any Lounge posts in the Recently Updated Topics list at the bottom of the Home page.
This will reduce the perceived clutter.

So.. now, if you want to see what's new in the Lounge... you have to go visit that sub-forum. No other changes have been made to that sub-forum.

...always looking to improve your user experience. 

The latest issue of The Shelby American, Summer 2020, is online in the Members Only website

Despite some distractions, Rick keeps the members up to date and entertained.

Welcome to the first thread of our Retrospective Spotlight series...

We have picked an outstanding event to commemorate and solicit your memories, anecdotes, photos and any remembrances of...

SAAC-5, Dearborn - July 3-4-5, 1980

Yes, 40 years ago....sorry to say.

Let's hear from the folks who were there... and you can tell the youngbloods here about how you had a blast at a SAAC event... "back in the day."

We'd like to hear and see accounts of the street races, speeding tickets, fireworks...and unspeakable shenanigans like that.

I'll start with a reprint of the "Graybeard Chronicles" that described this event....after that, it's all yours to fill in...

NOTE: THIS IS A PRE-ORDER. THESE BOOKS WILL SHIPPED BY THE MIDDLE OF JUNE 2020. THIS PRICE WILL ONLY BE GOOD UNTIL JUNE 1, 2020. AFTER THAT, THE PRICE WILL INCREASE TO $65, SO ORDER THEM NOW AND BE THE FIRST ONE ON YOUR BLOCK TO HAVE ONE. DON'T WAIT, THERE WILL BE A PRICE INCREASE AFTER THIS PRE-ORDER IS COMPLETE.

Softbound, printed May, 2020.

256 + pages  with 380 +  pictures – most of them in color. Also includes updated owner listing, updated individual history of every car, serial number information, accurate production figures, production changes, explanation of options with statistical breakdown, mechanical specifications and breakdown of dealer sales.

This is the second of the new 5th Edition SAAC Registries. Each one will be printed as a separate book. There will be eight in all, to be printed in this order: 1965 Shelby, Leaf Spring Cobra, '66 Shelby, Coil Spring Cobra, 1967 Shelby, 1968 Shelby, 1968-70 Shelby, Ford GT40. Print runs will be relatively small and we expect them to sell out quickly. Second printings, if undertaken, will not be immediate so our suggestion is to get a copy now. You will not be disappointed.

Includes SAAC's famous 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Or Your Money Back offer: if we're not 100% satisfied with your money we guarantee we will send it back.

US Postage is $7.75
Canada Postage is $26.90
All other locations, postage is $37.45

To Pre-Order the Coil Spring Cobra Registry click here:  SAAC Store.

Just got word that the printing presses are rolling on the NEW Coil Spring Cobra Registry - 2020 Edition.


We are currently working up a Pre-Order special price ahead of delivery to SAAC HQ.
We'll post the item in the SAAC Store when its ready

Received at HQ today... RIP member John Guinta - madeulook
Signature:
SFM5R-madeulook
1965 GT 350 Competition Tribute
1st. place pop vote Mid-Ohio

Last Active:April 30, 2020, 11:41:27 AM

"...Hello my name is Theresa, John Guinta's wife. I am going through his computer to let his friends and contacts know
that John Guinta passed away from massive heart attack on May 1. It was very sudden."

Notice to ALL Pre-Registered Guests.

Today, we have cancelled ALL PRIOR reservations at the Crowne Plaza host hotel in Indianapolis, made under our special block rates.

NO further action is required on your part.

If you booked OUTSIDE our group rates, please initiate your cancellation on your own.

In addition, we have commenced full refunds for all pre-registered participants. This will be processed through Motorsportsreg. You should see a credit for your registration fees within the next week or two.

Again, No further action is required.

We are refunding 100% of your fees, with no penalties.

Many would like to reserve the "special" t-shirts and swag planned for the cancelled event... and we thank you for that.

Accept the total refund...and then.. when our goodies are available... you may pre-order thru the SAAC Store

Well, the scales have finally tipped and we are announcing that the SAAC-45 National Convention on June 17-19 at Indy will be cancelled.

We truly have waited until the last possible moment to make this call... but the need to have a safe gathering with the quality of a National Event that we all expect has become impossible.

Let me share some of the facts that led to this decision. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is still in limbo as it relates to June events, although they have postponed the Indy 500 at the end of May. Our track partners at SVRA are still feeling a green light for their event on our weekend, but that is continually subject to the external rulings and decisions by the track and the state of Indiana.

The final nail for us to make this call came this week, in the form of official directives that would be a mandate for our event:

No spectators only registered participants.  No spectators from SVRA/ Trans Am or SAAC
No dinner or banquet
No Social gatherings (our Night at the Museum)
Mandatory "social distancing"... 6 foot separation
Masks and gloves onsite required. Gloves – all staff. Masks – all staff
Shields – Registrars, Tech staff when conducting Tech inspections
At-Track Medical info done as part of registration process
No paper Event Programs or schedules to be distributed
No Driver or Car Show Packets will be handed out
No Face to Face Driver Meetings, Done via services like "Zoom" at pre-determined and published times
No food or concession services

...And on, and on and on.

With a different timeline and conditions, we might comply with some of these restrictions to go forward with the event... But looking at all of them, and realizing the risk and expense for our members to attend, it became obvious that this event would not be a fun one.

So, sadly, we have cancelled this event.

ALL preregistrations in place as of this date will be fully refunded with NO cancellation penalties.

We have officially closed the Motorsportsreg site from accepting any more transactions.

If you have already registered for the event, stand by for communications from SAAC HQ for details on your refunds; no action is required on your part.

So... what now?

Preliminary investigations are finding it very difficult to obtain an alternate track/venue date for later this year. You can imagine the number of larger events from Early Spring and Summer that need to reposition.

We are actively looking at alternatives that include joint efforts with local and regional events in the Fall.

Our intention is to do everything possible to not have 2020 pass by without a SAAC National-organized social event.

We will continue to inform the membership and fans officially though Member eBlasts, SAACForum posts and Facebook/Twitter as plans develop.

I am sure many more than your Directors are feeling sad about this... but safety, security  and the ability to enjoy ourselves are mandatory factors that would be missing if we moved forward with a June date.

Please direct any questions or concerns to: pitcrew@saac.com

We are pretty inundated with issues, but all correspondence will be read and replied to.

Thanks to all who have worked and supported this event

Ron Richards

On behalf of the SAAC Board of Directors.

Message to HQ on Facebook...

"To all those out there who may remember or know Jerry Walter Schwarz today April 19 2020 he passed away. He was a long time member of the original Shelby America GT 350 Crew. We went peacefully. Please say a prayer for the family. We have truly lost a great one."

As we make our way through what can only be described as uncharted territory, I'd like to post an update about the SAAC-45 National Convention.

At this point in time... we are still a GO for Indy.

Our future right now is in the hands of the track management; they still have the calendar open for June events.
We are continually preparing and in planning mode, which includes a variety of "what-if" scenarios. The best thing we can do right now is keep a watchful eye and make the best decisions as factual information comes in, to ensure the health and safety of everyone who passes through the gates.

We are working with SVRA on this date and have discussed alternative timing and venues, if necessary.

Trust us in that we have discussed Plans "B", "C", "D" and "E"... to be sure we have a National Event sometime in 2020.

You all will be the second to know if we have to change venues and dates.

Remember, we got through the gas shortage in 1979 and the turbulence in 2009.. we will continue to plan for 2020.

Please take care of yourself and your loved ones and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.

We just heard that the proofs are in the printer's hands and we may see the new 1968 Registry start shipping at the end of April.


This may be the last chance to take advantage of the Pre-Production price of $99.00
THIS IS A PRE-PRODUCTION ORDER. PRICE WILL RISE TO $125 (PLUS POSTAGE) AFTER THE BOOK IS PUBLISHED.

Softbound, 1,072 pages with pictures – most of them in color. Also includes updated owner listing, updated individual history of every car, serial number information, accurate production figures, production changes, explanation of options with statistical breakdown, stripe dimensions, mechanical specifications and breakdown of dealer sales.

This is the fourth of the new 5th Edition SAAC Registries. Each one will be printed as a separate book. There will be eight in all, to be printed in this order: 1965 Shelby, Leaf Spring Cobra, '66 Shelby, 1968 Shelby, Coil Spring Cobra, 1967 Shelby, 1969-70 Shelby, Ford GT40. Print runs will be relatively small and we expect them to sell out quickly. Second printings, if undertaken, will not be immediate so our suggestion is to get a copy now. You will not be disappointed.

US Postage is $15.05
Canada Postage is $51.55
All other locations, postage is $75.35

CLICK HERE to place your order TODAY!

My heartfelt gratitude to the hundreds of SAAC friends from all over the world who sent messages of sympathy and condolences on the recent loss of my wife, Angela. My family thanks you all for the kind words.
Losing my best friend of over 50 years was a shock and gut punch. Internal organ failure came quickly and unexpectedly... there is some comfort in knowing she did not suffer a long illness.


She was my car buddy going back to the 60's... changing my spark plugs when I raced my first GT350. She tolerated my shenanigans over the decades... letting me store car parts in the spare bedroom... 
Angela loved going to the SAAC Conventions and loved the Concours Judging as her favorite.
We traveled the world together and indulged each other in fulfilling our dreams. We celebrated our 50th anniversary in Italy last year. Her present to me was renting the Autodrome in Modena to let me thrash a race-prepped Ferrari around the track. Truly...my best friend.
Again, sincere thanks.
My message: No one promises you tomorrow. Live for today and give a hug to your own best friend.

We have done a "soft" open of saac45.com and the Registration system.

The website will continue to be updated within the next two weeks as more details become available to us.

Both Jay and I will be on the road for most of this week (3/1 - 3/6), but we have tested the software and it feels "OK"

Use this thread to post any questions or problems that you may encounter.. we will address them at the end of the week.

Thanks

Good drama requires a hero and a villain. In the recent movie, Ford v Ferrari, Ken Miles is the obvious hero and Leo Beebe is portrayed as the antagonist and villain. Actor Josh Lucas, as Beebe, does an excellent job playing a soulless, corporate manager ostensibly responsible for ordering the famous 1-2-3 photo finish which deprived Miles of becoming the first driver to win Daytona, Sebring and LeMans in the same year.

You leave the theater despising Leo Beebe but was he really the embodiment of corporate evil? ...Hardly.
As Ford Director of Racing in 1966 he was just doing a difficult job in the midst of conflicting personalities in the pressure-cooker of high stakes racing.

The movie may be great theater but, in this case, it is not accurate history.

SAAC interviewed Leo Bebee 35 years ago, and documented the history and flavor of his tenure during that time. Published in Issue #43 of The Shelby American in 1984.. we present that article for your review.

Please share far and wide to correct the misconceptions of Leo's role.


Click HERE for the article--->  http://www.saacforum.com/files/fb/SA43HR.pdf

This article will be reprinted with new COLOR photos added in the Winter 2020 Issue of The Shelby American, available for download by all SAAC members.

If you are NOT a SAAC Member, consider this:
For the last 45 years, SAAC has captured and curated the history of the cars and people that made Shelby a legend. Join SAAC today to support this legacy and help continue the process for years to come.

https://saac.wildapricot.org/page-258810\

All members receive our Quarterly digital magazine, The Shelby American.
Full members receive a full-color 300+ page Annual containing the print version of all quarterly magazines.

EXCLUSIVE! "Ford vs. Ferrari" "behind the scenes"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZnRyfJulXY

Many local groups are planning meet-up watch parties for the movie during premier week.

List your EVENT here... Date, Time, Location, Details.

Be sure to indicate if all are welcome or if it is private invite-only event.

Enjoy...

Alert - SAAC-45
Last minute conflicts may force a date change for SAAC-45 at Indy.. moving our date to the following week... June 17-19, 2020

Stay tuned for more information as we receive it.

June 17-19, 2020

"...Who from Long Island are going to The Tobay Car Show next Sunday ? This is a great show. We are going to meet at the NY State storage area just before you get on the Captree Bridge."