Selecting the winding roads leading to Jerome, Flagstaff, and Sedona, participants left at 8:30 each morning for the days' drive. At 9:30 the drivers enthusiastically waved goodbye to George, whose garage door was still open at sundown each day awaiting the tired, sunburned drivers' return. Considered an overwhelming success by all attendees, the weekend centered on the hospitality and generous use of The Vintage Restoration Shop's facilities and access to George's tools. The group then voted unanimously to return to Prescott Valley in 2005. "George has invited us back again for next year and each of us can hardly wait," exclaimed Tom McBurnie. For more on the event and what is in store for next year, catch up with McBurnie on Thunder Ranch's Web Site at www.thunderranch.com.
Premier At WoodwardIf you like to cruise your car, then chances are good that you've heard about the Woodward Dream Cruise. Early each summer, the cruises of all cruises happens along the famed Woodward Avenue in Detroit. To give the event some scope, the entire Detroit metro area is involved in this event. US-1 stretches 16 miles from the south end of Detroit all the way to Pontiac. With businesses lined on both sides and the majority of the route three or four lanes both directions, the cruise is immense. People even plan vacations around it and begin arriving early in the week to cruise the route!
The folks at Premier Motorsports in Kansas City, Kansas, makers of their own line of Cobra replicars, attended the latest cruise on the invitation of the Motor City Cobra Club's Terry Anway. As you can imagine with an event this size, parking is at a premium, so when Anway coordinated group parking for 77 Cobras at a local Ford dealership, you know it had to be special! Premier showed up with two vehicles this year, and they're already making plans to attend next year's show. You can see more about Premier Motorsports at www.premiercobras.com.
Signed Shelby Poster Sold For $35,000Automotive legend Carroll Shelby was on hand at the RM Auctions' Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction to see a collection of 10 of his finest cars cross the block. Following the Shelby sales at the event, a Shelby autographed auction program was sold for $35,000, a figure matched by RM Auctions with the total amount of $70,000 going to benefit the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. The special sale featured a poster-sized version of the auction catalog featuring three pictures of Shelby from various eras. The bidding for the poster became fierce with the final hammer price of $35,000 going to Robbin Young, a longtime Shelby fan. Ms. Young was invited onstage to meet Mr. Shelby, take photos, and receive the poster.
Collectors bid vigorously on the most significant offering of Shelby cars sold at auction in recent history, with the mix of 10 Cobras and Shelby Mustangs selling for a combined total of more than $2.4 million. All 10 Shelby cars sold at the auction, including the first Shelby AC 289 Cobra in over 40 years, which sold for $135,000. All sale prices can be seen at www.rmauctions.com.
The Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation is dedicated to providing assistance for acute coronary and kidney care for young people who share many of the same afflictions. To date, the foundation has helped numerous children and continues to raise money through various fundraisers including its most successful campaign, Carroll Shelby Autographs. For more information, visit www.shelbychildrensfoundation.org.