RIP Carroll Shelby

[lwien]

http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/11/autos/carroll-shelby-obit/index.htm?hpt=hp_c2

Fond memories. Back in 1966, I had a friend who's father owned a 427 AC Cobra. His father went on vacation so I talked him into taking it out for a bit of a test drive (a la Ferris Bueller..lol). Anywy, I will never forget it. Seems like yesterday. It was about 1 in the morning and we took it out on the Santa Monica Freeway. No traffic. I got behind the wheel. Took it up to 120mph. At 120mph, in fourth gear, I took my foot off of the accelerator and then floored it. The fucking rear tires broke loose. Un-fucking-believeable. Pinned us to the back of our seats as if I floored it in first gear at 20. Scared the living daylights out of me. Major adrenaline rush. LOVED that car. Looked exactly like this:

 

[dorkus_molorkus]

thats a super cool story. memories like that is what life is all about IMO.

 

[tranceporter]

From one enthusiast to another. R.I.P Carroll Shelby. Your legacy will continue on and you will be missed.

 

[turk]

....good story lwien..

 

[darkrom]

Hate mustangs, love your story

Breaking the tires loose at 120 is impressive as hell, especially on a car made over 40 years ago!

 

[tranceporter]

Breaking the tires loose at 120 is impressive as hell

I agree! A car needs a tremendous amount of power to spin the tires in 4th gear.

 

[lwien]

I agree! A car needs a tremendous amount of power to spin the tires in 4th gear.

HUMUNGOUS amount of torque combined with an all aluminum body did the trick. When it happened, I was soooo surprised, my eyes must have bugged outta my forehead. Kinda like this >>

When I pulled off the offramp and got out so that my friend could drive her home, my legs were shaking. It felt like I was falling into a never ending pit of speed.