Motosport heroes/gearheads
- Thread starter Augiedoggie
- Start date
It's a little darker than that, unfortunately. He was found with thousands in cash in his pocket, the shooters were told NOT to rob him. It's a very sad story, and a horrible ending for a great innovator, racer and family man. I won't post the details here, but it's easy to look up.
If your ever going through Ocala I suggest checking out his museum, it's absolutely intense. So much history is packed in that place, it's really hard to see it all. He lives right next door too, and if you stop in there's a good chance he's there. Real nice guy and very down to earth. A friend of mine was there recently with his son and Big Daddy took the time to talk to the kid, sign autographs, take photo's and answer all of his curios questions. A real class act
If your ever going through Ocala I suggest checking out his museum, it's absolutely intense. So much history is packed in that place, it's really hard to see it all. He lives right next door too, and if you stop in there's a good chance he's there. Real nice guy and very down to earth. A friend of mine was there recently with his son and Big Daddy took the time to talk to the kid, sign autographs, take photo's and answer all of his curios questions. A real class act
Yessir. Big Daddy is a personal hero of mine. Saw him race many times at my home tracks. Guy is a class act. When I was a young fellow I saw him in restaurant near race track. He was very gracious and cordial. I remember the moment 50+ years ago like it was minutes ago but can't remember the name of the restaurant for the life of me. A lot of the racers ate there and it was worth changing our dirty jeans and tee shirts in parking lot to go and just watch and listen to some of those racing legends. Don remembered my girlfriends name after meeting her once and she was most impressed.
I remember that guy, too. I never saw him in person, but I remember Hot Rod magazine articles about the wild man on a 327 powered, direct drive, drag racing motorcycle. Had it on a center stand, revved it up and knocked it off the stand. Smoked the tire all the way down the track, sideways much of the way. I wish I could have seen, heard and smelled THAT!
For sure.
Even from day one with the 65 Shelby Mustang, Shelby American sold most of the dress up parts to make your own clone.
Talk about diluting the brand.
And later after 1967 all the modifications went in house to Ford and that is when they began to be bloated. Friend had the 69 model and it really was not that great. It looked cool for sure but the hot rod vibe was washed out if you will.
The deals with Dodge for those awful 1980's trucks were a total embarrassment as well as the 4 cyl stuff. SELL OUT.
Here are some of the other 4cyl gems;
https://www.hagerty.com/media/archived/7-shelby-dodges-from-the-man-himself/
Love the original Cobra's and the man was Legend early on.
Icon any way you slice it at the end of the day.
Even from day one with the 65 Shelby Mustang, Shelby American sold most of the dress up parts to make your own clone.
Talk about diluting the brand.
And later after 1967 all the modifications went in house to Ford and that is when they began to be bloated. Friend had the 69 model and it really was not that great. It looked cool for sure but the hot rod vibe was washed out if you will.
The deals with Dodge for those awful 1980's trucks were a total embarrassment as well as the 4 cyl stuff. SELL OUT.
Here are some of the other 4cyl gems;
https://www.hagerty.com/media/archived/7-shelby-dodges-from-the-man-himself/
Love the original Cobra's and the man was Legend early on.
Icon any way you slice it at the end of the day.