Category: Uncategorized

What Happened in Vegas

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 18th 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 25th 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!

Mike Floyd in the passenger seat…,John Morton, a.k.a. The Gun Fighter at the wheel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

L to R: Andy, Jim Marietta, and John

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.

Setting up the Ford booth at SEMA

O.V.C. Shelby Open House

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.

Aaron Shelby, Carroll’s Grandson

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.

Before

During

After

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

Mike

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.

Peter Brock

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

Peter Brock, Randy Richardson, Duane Carling, Ted Sutton, Jim Marietta

Monterey Car Week

by Duane Carling

“Car Week” is certainly aptly named. From Monday, August 14th, to Sunday the 20th there are more car auctions, vintage races, receptions and art shows than one person could possibly attend. Gorgeous cars, gorgeous people, aircraft, boats, food, drink, you name it and it’s at Monterey. You just have to pick which ones you like the best, and mourn the passing of the rest.

On Sunday the 20th I was reading Dan Neil, one of my favorite writers, who writes Rumble Seat in the Weekend Edition of the WSJ. His piece was about Ferrari celebrating their 70th year by showing another 200 MPH super car at Monterey, and all the pride, heritage, provenance and racing bonafides that goes with that. Dan’s premise was “There are some things more important than money.” While I agree with that generally, in the car world that’s a pretty radical concept.

Hold onto that idea.

Tuesday the 15th we showed the GT 350 on the Streets of Carmel Concourse by invitation.

Clint Eastwood was mayor there for a time, so showing an unmuffled, fire breathing dragon with the politically INCORRECT heritage of Carroll Shelby may possibly not land us in jail. Some of the nice policeman even came by and asked us to start ‘er up. Umm….OK.

Wednesday we took our car to a reception at the McCall’s Jet Center.

Want to upgrade your personal jet, or pick up some other new toy? McCall’s Motorworks Revival Event is billed as “one of the most exclusive lifestyle events of its kind in the country.” Some people “of a certain age” remember the 1965 Mustang, on which the GT 350 is based, and are anxious to share their memories with you.

Yes, thanks; but no, I just work here. Fun time, nice people. We’ve been there the last couple of years.

Thursday was a wine reception in the rose garden at the Bernardus Winery in Carmel Valley.

It was hosted by the Shelby organization. The big event was unveiling a 427 powered Daytona Coupe built by the Kirkhams out of Provo (as in Utah). The nose has been stretched about 6 inches to accommodate the big block.

Bob Bondurant and Allen Grant, big-time drivers from back in the day

Apparently such a Coupe was built by Shelby in 1964 or 5, but never raced. I thought I’d heard every Shelby story ever invented, but I must have missed that one. All of our friends were there.

Aaron Shelby (Carroll’s grandson) and family

Friday was Laguna Seca track day. Being Ferrari’s 70th birthday and all, they wanted most of the available track time. We were the poster child (literally) last year for our 50th anniversary, so “let’s just show the car and avoid the track wear” was the plan of the day.

Saturday we arrived early (6:30 A.M.) at the Concourso Italiano on the Black Horse Golf Course in the hills above Monterey.

Some really nice Ferraris, Lambos, Masers, etc. Some I’d never seen before, and they all drove in.

More hearing loss and brain damage… oh well. Our car was positioned by the reviewing stand so our ladies got to sit in the reviewing tent. Peter Brock was interviewed by a couple of TV stations standing in front of the car, and again on the stand at noon. Jim Marietta and Ted Sutton (The Original Venice Crew, along with Peter) were whisked back to Laguna Seca for a media event of some kind after lunch.

How we got to be an Honored Marque, after Ford/Shelby whipped Ferrari’s ass 4 years in a row at Le Mans in the 60’s, and then did it again for the 50th anniversary last year is a mystery. Maybe a clerical error. Nice time, good food, and great views over looking Monterey bay. The fog crept in on little cat’s feet at about 4 P.M.

By Sunday morning we were all anxious to leave, but Road & Track had a crew from New York that wanted to do a quick test drive and photo shoot in the hills above Monterey.

We finished about 3 P.M. Fortunately, I know the way across Nevada in the dark. Let ‘er rip ! We arrived home in Farmington Utah about 3 A.M.

Great times, good folks. If there are some things more important than money in the car business, as Dan Neil postulates, this may be one of them. But a few bucks does help, though.

Coming Up in August, 2017

The first car with the IRS system will be displayed at several Monterey, California, locations during Collector Car Week in mid-August. Several of the OVC team will accompany the cars to reminisce and talk about the Shelby.

August 15, 2017

Carmel by the Sea Concours

August 16, 2017

McCall’s Motorworks Revival

August 18, 2017

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca

August 19, 2017

Concorso Italiano

Ralph Arning Pictures

Hi Friends,

I found some pictures of Ralph Arning I thought some of you might be interested in.

Here’s Ralph with Peter Brock at the Willow Springs test:

Here he is again, with IRS at Willow:

Finally, here he is with yours truly, Jim Marietta, and Randy Richardson at the Flat Rock, Michigan plant where Mustangs are assembled.

Hope you’re all having a great Mother’s Day!

Thanks again for hanging around our blog.

Duane Carling

 

 

The latest from our friends at Autowerks.tv

Hello friends

I thought you might like to see what our partner in the OVC effort, Andy Unger, is up to. Andy has helped us a lot. This episode of AutoWerkz will be of interest to my car friends.  Please take a look at what he’s doing.

Thanks

Duane Carling

 

INTERNET RADIO AUTOMOTIVE SHOW, DRIVERS TALK RADIO,

PARTNERS WITH AUTOWERKZ MEDIA LIMITED TO PROVIDE PREMIUM AUTOMOTIVE CONTENT

 

LAS VEGAS – (May 9, 2017) – Drivers Talk Radio, an online radio show hosted by automotive expert and championship race car driver, Rick Titus, has partnered with AutoWerkz Media Limited, an online global television network that focuses on automotive, motorcycle and motorsports programming. The collaboration enables Titus and Drivers Talk Radio to provide premium content for the network’s television channels and online network, allowing members of AutoWerkz the access to relevant, premium content they may not have otherwise seen.

 

“AutoWerkzTV is the premier channel in the automotive world and we’re thrilled to be aligned with the network,” said Titus. “We share values of providing premium content that inspires and educates, connecting viewers globally through a passion for all things automotive.”

 

AutoWerkz Media Limited consists of two channels, AutoWerkzTV and AutoWerkzTV Racing, available exclusively at autowerkz.tv, an online proprietary broadcast technology platform that allows viewers 24/7, commercial-free television programming on any device.

 

AutoWerkzTV offers a wide variety of automotive, motorcycle and motorsports programming, from the rock bouncers of the “Southern Rock Racing Series” to the finest Italian mobile works of art from the “Concorso Italiano” and the “Concours in the Hills.”

 

With the most recognizable names in the industry, episodes include Dennis Gage’s “My Classic Car” and Stacey David’s “GearZ.” In addition, Nathan Adlen presents new car and destination reviews in “About An Hour.” In depth interviews can be found on “Legends of Racing” featuring Peter Brock, Bob Bondurant and Arie Lyuendyk (among others).
AutoWerkzTV broadcasts both original programming, as well as content created by partner curators, like “Drivers Talk Radio.

 

“At AutoWerksTV, we’ve partnered with trusted experts, friends and colleagues in the automotive industry who boast tremendous integrity and experience and Rick Titus is a prime example,” said Andy Ungar at AutoWerkz Media Limited. “With his history and vast automotive knowledge, Rick and the Drivers Talk Radio team provide content that is aspirational, inspirational and educational, making them an invaluable member of our global community.”

Drivers Talk Radio reviews the newest vehicles in the automotive marketplace, discusses the most controversial automotive topics and conducts live interviews with the industry’s movers and shakers. For more information and a calendar of upcoming shows, please visit driverstalkradio.com. Find Drivers Talk Radio and Rick Titus on Facebook , Twitter, LinkedIn  and YouTube.

For more information on AutoWerkz TV, visit autowerkz.tv and Facebook.

 

About Drivers Talk Radio/Rick Titus

Hosted by automotive expert, Rick Titus, Drivers Talk Radio is a broad-reaching program that discusses the automotive industry in an informative and entertaining fashion. The show includes interviews with the industry’s top movers and shakers, discussions of the most controversial automotive topics, current reviews of vehicles and products and consumer tips. In its 13th year of production, Drivers Talk Radio has won 20 prestigious International Automotive Media Conference (IAMC) awards and has reviewed more than 400 vehicles.

 

# # #

 

Contact:  

Quillin Advertising, Public Relations & Social Media

Melanie Devries

D: 702-506-0828

mdevries@quillinlv.com