A Powerful and Stirring Weekend for Sure


SteveA

GT Owner/B.O.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 13, 2005
3,694
Sandpoint Id
I've been in Lake Havasu for a few weeks and a few good reasons to head over to So Cal came up, one being a chance to stop by Dan's AAR and express my condolences in person.
As luck would have it on my way over Thursday a good GT buddy called and was going to be in So Cal as well so we met up for lunch. Just as we were starting to eat my phone rang and it caller ID'ed as Michigan....told him and he agreed I needed to take it. Well, it was Lindsey and Michael telling me that in fact it was time to place my order and it would in fact also be for a Red 18 Heritage! Getting a car was a dream come true, however for me, a red Heritage is truly a blessing.
Friday as I was headed to AAR Michael called again and we discussed the options (not many) but I did go with the TT exhaust, 5 point and a cover. I only planned a few minutes at AAR as I believed appropriate but they did make a personal item of Dan's available to me but picking it up would require a return trip on Monday morning.
As I arrived Monday my emailed "dinged" and it was my final build order. Really? Signing my request for a '18 Gurney/Foyt Heritage in Mr Gurney's office? A Very stirring moment for me for sure.
At this time Justin, one of Dan's sons and AAR CEO came out to chat. It's warming to see how he, as well as others at AAR are carrying on their fathers tradition of making people feel welcome at AAR even during this time of great sorrow. They do understand and are even a bit blown away at how much Dan meant to the public and that we are mourning as well.
This is when Justin offered to show me some of his father's treasures that had been stored away for years, some even for decades and said it would be good to share them with us on the Forum.
1. An '18 Heritage (duh)
2. The coil cover that Dan so graciously signed a few months back and again thanks to DBK who was so instrumental in me securing by taking one off his own car!
3. One of Dan's Rolex 24 watches
4. One of several Indy 500 constructors rings
5. Edison-Ford Award for Innovation
6. The successor to the winning Spa '67 car + motor
This car was to be truly special as it was monocot TT and skinned in magnesium. The skin was so strong that it wasn't just a skin but structural as well. The car was going to be a F1 game changer but sadly wasn't finished. It was discovered in storage nearly 50 years later. It is now going to be finished by his sons as a loving tribute.
7. As many already know, Dan was one of the worlds most versatile drivers and Nascar's first and original "ringer".
8. A car his son's surprised their dad with last year and is now in the AAR collection
9. CART!
10. A pin to proudly ride in my car
11. V8 Eagle motor

Thanks Ford Motor Corp, Raj, Henry, Chris and all for making this car! DBK for putting up with all my sniveling and everyone at AAR for making me feel welcome and part of the team over the years.
I am truly Blessed.
 

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SteveA

GT Owner/B.O.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 13, 2005
3,694
Sandpoint Id
XXXX
 

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SteveA

GT Owner/B.O.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 13, 2005
3,694
Sandpoint Id
xxxx
 

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Spirit

Heritage GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Steve congrats on the Heritage.
Well deserved.
 

Cobrar

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jun 24, 2006
4,017
Metro Detroit
Congratulations on the Heritage allocation Steve, awesome story too!!
 

Specracer

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Nov 28, 2005
7,081
MA
Great story! Thank you for sharing! Congrats on getting the heritage you wanted so badly!
 

STORMCAT

GT
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
May 25, 2006
7,549
Ft. Lauderdale
Congratulations Steve! ! Awesome story! ! Thanks for Sharing! ! The red Heritage Car couldn't go to a more perfect candidate buddy , I'm happy for you !!

All of the Fords racing at Daytona were displaying this tribute sticker. I touching move by Ford
 

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THamonGT

GT
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Very Happy for you Steve, your Very deserving!
 

partssmann

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jun 1, 2013
755
Scottsdale, Arizona
Thanks for sharing the awesome pictures. What a treat to see all these automotive goodies and then get THE call on a NGT.
 

GKW05GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 28, 2011
2,755
Fayetteville, Ga.
Great story and Congratulations on what is going to be beautiful GT.
 

07XL0027

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
May 20, 2012
1,546
Austin TX
Sounds like Dan is working his magic for you from heaven. All those events will make an already incredibly special car even more so. I hope you enjoy it for many many years to come.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

ChipBeck

GT Owner
Staff member
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 13, 2006
5,770
Scottsdale, Arizona
That rocks Steve.

Chip
 

ByeEnzo

GT
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Dec 10, 2005
2,283
Fort Worth, TX
Welcome to the “Red #1 Club”! Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing!
 

DakotaGT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Dec 9, 2012
1,694
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
How cool is all of that?!? Congratulations on your allocation- what an honor!
 

SteveA

GT Owner/B.O.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 13, 2005
3,694
Sandpoint Id
Thanks guys! I continue to believe that owning these incredible cars is only part of the story, the people I've met and friendships made continue to bring me an unmeasurable joy.
 
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GTJack

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 1, 2006
1,728
Saddlebrooke, MO
What a great story and thanks for all the pics. You are truly blessed!
 

fjpikul

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jan 4, 2006
11,475
Belleville, IL
Congratulations buddy. Nice story and pics. Enjoy it.
 

BtwoG

GT Owner
Dec 8, 2013
1,039
Atlanta, GA
Amazing story Steve. That must have been so surreal seeing all that super cool memorabilia.

Congrats on the car. Probably end up being my favorite heritage model. Ford did a great modern interpretation of the original '67.
 

CJ428

Farm GT
Mark II Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
May 21, 2008
1,473
NJ
perfect very cool
 

Apollo

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Aug 5, 2006
2,499
Pahrump, NV
Steve, what an incredible story. All I can say is wow.