As a teenager living in/near Daytona in the '60's, I was privileged to experience Fords' efforts first hand also. The ford dealer in Daytona, Heintzleman Ford, was a Shelby dealer. Had a ROW of 66 GT350's, including a couple of "R".s. Always a Cobra in the showroom. My family bought alot of Fords, so I was at the dealership alot...drooling. Of course the first of February meant RACING..24 hours of Daytona. Back when you could hop the fence and get into the pits and paddock. No friggin' turbos or electronics, just raw power and basic but FAST cars with real drivers. Dan the Man, Pheel Heel, Mike the Bike, Bruce McLaren (inventor of "unobtainium"). Daytona didn't have that sissy chicane then..it was onto the west bank and flat out for 2 miles. And the SOUND! You could hear the awesome 917's in Ormond at night..10 miles away.
Thanks for the memories!
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