"Wonder Woman"

Okay, so if the '67 is the Hulk, the '66 must be Wonder Woman...lighter, and more responsive. Weren't the two TV shows back to back on CBS in the 70s??

The '66 was restored in 1985 and has been cared for very nicely since. It's definitely been "coddled yet enjoyed" (Stirling Moss quote). It still needs some minor tinkering to get it to realize its true potential. But, it could win a swimsuit competition tonight if necessary.

I'm registered for an SCCA Solo II autocross tomorrow and started addressing some prep items last night.

Installed were a set of Vintage Wheel Works 45 series 15x7 alloys and 225/50-ZR15 Toyo Proxes RA1s. The stock 10 spokes, although original needed to be laid to rest in the attic.

A quick test drive did confirm excellent transitioning and no perceptible tire sidewall flex (unlike the 215/60-HR14 BFG Comp T/A HR4s). Also, grip is unbelievable... I had an old school drag racer in the car with me and he almost brought up half a Meat Lover's pizza that he had for dinner. We took a series of two corners without braking...Toyo RA1s are great.

The front of the car did feel a little soft and underdamped. I'm going to adjust the front shocks tonight. Also, the car seems to like turning right more than turning left. Hmm...maybe I need to confirm the alignment tonight? Also, some new urethane will go in to replace the cracked front control rod bushings.

LS

 

Thanks! The car did great.

The grip from the Toyos was phenomenal and the brakes were awesome. I was surprised at how well balanced the car was eventually with the tires at 30psi FR/32psi RR. The slaloms were challenging because it required some serious hand shuffling due to the slow ratio of the manual steering...but the car moved well.

Also, the diff in the car needs some help. I'll have to get the Detroit Locker rebuilt and put it back in.

I think the rear ride height is too high...any comments? It sure would be nice to get the weight distribution more balanced.

LS

 

I may look into some Flex a Form leaf springs to shed some lbs and get the rear of the car down an inch or so.

LS

 

It was a lot of fun...many of the other drivers came over to check the car out. On the way to the event, a train of three WRXs came up behind me, slowed...and all pulled out cameras to photograph.

It's cool to see the universal language of motorsports in action.

LS

 

The urethane bushings are in. I installed a set for the front control arms, swaybar mounts and endlinks. I also used a small set of Aluminum lowering blocks to get the rear of the car down a bit. The car feels a bit better balanced now, less understeer, better transitioning. Taking weight off of the front definitely affected my alignment though. I'll have to address that next!

I did a local rally in the DC area yesterday. Everyone came up after the drive and gave me props for leading a bunch of very capable cars with a 40 yr old Shelby. They couldn't believe the pace...and all wondered what the modifications to the car were. They couldn't believe that it was stock. Not bad for an old junker!

LS

 

Thanks, I'm really enjoying driving it more than I imagined. I was expecting a 40 yr old tractor that would give me full body sweats when asking it to change directions or stop. I'm very pleasantly surprised and have a much bigger appreciation for what Shelby American accomplished with the cars. Obviously, three B Prod championships speak for themselves, but this car is proof that in the 60's, the term "detuned racer" was more accurate then.

I found all of the urethane from Branda (www.cobranda.com).

After the rally on Sunday, I stopped off at the National Capital Region Mustang Club show in Rockville, MD. I was only there for about 20 mins and did see quite a few Shelby cars. The cars were beautiful. But after experiencing what their abilities on the road, seeing them sit in a show like trophies didn't seem fitting for some reason.

To each their own?

I took the long, twisty way home...

LS

 

DC Area Shows

These were from a show at Univ of MD organized by a student club: