Month: October 2017

This has been a busy couple of weeks for the O.V.C. crew.  We were invited to show our car in the Ford booth at the Mandalay Bay / Barrett Jackson auction in Las Vegas.

After a visit to the Shelby Museum just south of the Strip, we headed for the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.  Just for fun we DROVE the car down the Las Vegas Strip.

After setting off a few car alarms driving into the Center, Ford spotted us right up front, the first thing guests saw as they stepped off the elevator.  Nice exposure.

We were there from the 18^th to the 22nd, and I took the opportunity several times to see whom had the most people looking, our 50 year old Shelby race car, or the new offerings from Ford.  We were usually the winner by a fair margin.  People just love the old Mustangs.  “I used to have one just like that.  Wish to h— I’d never sold it!” was a real common refrain.

Monday the 25^th we took the car to The Streets of Willow at Willow Springs  race  track.  We’ve been to the “Big Willow” track many times, but never the tighter  “Little   Willow” track.  The car was flawless (I almost want to say as usual) but solid build quality and thorough preparation raises the odds of success…usually.

Another magazine crew was there to test drive the new Ford GT that won Le Mans last year.  A fuse failed on one of the 2 fuel pumps, and a frantic effort to score a replacement from a handy Ford F-150 ensued.  A good reason to always have your tow vehicle the same brand as your race  car…in case ya need a few parts!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chief Editor of Automobile Magazine, Mike Floyd, did a test drive, and his in house driver Andy Pilgrim did some hot laps.  Watch for a future issue of Automobile for their impressions.  Their photographer got lots of pictures in various lights, as the sun transited the sky.  Good day.

Our next stop is the SEMA show (Specialty Equipment Market Association).  Five days of fun & schoozing.  I’ll check in with you next week with lots of pics & info on what’s new.

Dear Car Friends,

After the success of our first prototype, the O.V.C. started work on our production facility. Three months of maximum effort resulted in what you see below. We finally got the old Shelby engine plant cleaned up, spiffed up and ready for the Original Venice Crew to start production of 36  Continuation 1965 O.V.C. Shelby GT350 IRS  Competition Models.

I know that’s a mouth full, but it sets the Continuation cars apart from the original 36 cars. There were several hundred Shelbys produced back in the 60’s, but only 36 Competition Models.

Our prototype IRS race car won its first race in Tulsa at the Ford and Shelby Nationals last summer. We are the only people licensed world wide by Ford & Shelby to reproduce Competition Models.  Prices start at $250,000, plus some options. We already have one signed order and have started a reservation list.

My wife Suzanne was there to help us.

Duane and Shelley

My daughter Shelley (sounds a lot Shelby doesn’t it?) was checking invites at the door, and my son Michael was proudly showing off his good work.

During

Mikey was a GREAT help in the construction. Those thirty somethings are just a lot more effective than us 70 somethings.

It was a wonderful afternoon.  250 members of the Southern California automotive press were invited, and about 150 attended. That 13,000 square foot shop filled right up. I don’t know where we’d have put an extra 100 guests.

It’s nice to be recognized.

Mustang Monthly did a nice 4 page story on our car, which is in the October issue.  “On news stands now” as they say.  Are there still news stands? They also have a video supplement.  They used that to cover our Open House in Gardena.

Duane, Mikey, Shelley, & Mom