Today, when John Atzbach of Seattle drove his 1965 Shelby GT 350 Mustang through the turns and straights of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, it was not because he was rehearsing for the upcoming weekend of racing at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Rather, he was accommodating a special photoshoot - squeezed between practice sessions for 15 groups of historic cars here - with three of nine GT 350s (from 1965 and '66) showcased in this year's Heritage Display for the featured marque.
"I feel very fortunate to be in possession of this remarkable car," said Atzbach of his chassis #002, which is reportedly worth well north of $1 million dollars but was dressed "in grey primer and rust," having spent decades on a trailer in an open barn, when Atzbach acquired it two years ago. "It is literally the car that was built when Ford called Carroll Shelby and said 'you have to do something with these Mustangs and create a performance image for them.' It was the factory's team race car for the first half of the '65 season, driven by Ken Miles and others, taking four seconds and 12 firsts in 16 races. Then it became a test and development car for all other R models built after that."
A knowingly appreciative crowd grew around the three cars as they idled just outside the entrance to the pits, their loud, low rumbles prefacing the roar of power that was about to be unleashed. It was a wonderfully organic moment typical of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion experience and indicative of the passion shown by car enthusiasts - on both sides of the wheel - who are able to reach out and touch history here.
"I enjoy so much sharing this car with the American public and especially those who know the history of the car - why it is important and how it has impacted the automobile industry," said Atzbach, his sentiments shared by many of the owners here, especially those among the impressive group of 38 Shelby GT 350 Mustangs that will race on Saturday.
"This is more than just a bucket of bolts," said Shelby GT 350 Brand Manager Jim Owen. "There is an attitude, there is a feeling...there is a joie de vivre around this car that really makes it special. That attitude and performance of the car is what has made it an icon 50 years later."
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