Greetings!   

The Amelia Island Concours did it again.  The Ferrari - Cobra War panel on Friday was indeed special.  From the moment the gentlemen of the panel stepped into the room we were talking up a storm.  Amelia organizer, Bill Warner, had to ask us to remember to save some stories for when the 1600! attendees streamed into the room and the panel began.  Details, and stories, below.

We next headed down to Sebring.  We're not sure what it is that continues to make this race a classic.  Is it the dumbing down of Daytona two months before that sensitizes us to recognizing what a treasure Sebring continues to be?  Or is it the truly unique fans who stream into the track days before the race, setting up their "camps" with character not to be found anywhere else?  Oh, and the racing is world class too!

Upon our return it's been heads-down preparing the shop for the Open House Sat April 7th from 10-2pm.  We must admit, it's looking good with the "History Wall" taking shape.  More details below.

We're also pleased to announce the completion of author Rinsey Mill's biography on Carroll Shelby.  We've been working with Rinsey the last few years (along with many other people, and especially Carroll).  This is THE biography and we highly recommend it. A special offer and order information is below.

In our Datsun Newsletter we've been promoting our presence at the Jefferson 500 at Summit Pt Raceway this May due to the Trans-Am 2.5 Tribute that's part of the event.  We've recently heard from the organizers however that they're also planning a focus on Cobras as I'm the Grand Marshal.  You can check out the event here.  We'll provide more info as we receive it.

Lastly, we'd like to introduce you to Brian, who's been working day and night on a Superformance Brock Coupe we purchased recently.  The car is getting the full Brock treatment with all our Coupe product upgrades and should be ready for sale in a couple of weeks.  More info below.

Peter & Gayle Brock

BRE

Gayle has had a vision for a History Wall even before we found this place.  It's really coming together.  I'm not sure where she's been finding my old plaques, trophies, ads, articles, etc but for years, every time she came across something for the wall she's put it aside.  Now imagine putting these items aside, moving them to NV, finding them in the boxes here and then organizing and getting them onto the wall, tagged by the years, people and events that happened during those times.  It's been a great read as I find out what I did all those years ago!

We hope to see you a little more than a week from now.  Addt'l highlights: 

•  Zero Odyssey, the off-road tour company, is catering the event.  They'll have one of their impressive off-road vehicles here for you to check out. 
• A representative from Bob Bondurant's driving school will also be here with literature and answers to all your questions. 
• You will see on the History Wall, mention of a neighbor (Fritz Warren) who gave me a ride in his MG TC when I was 12 years-old. It was a turning point for me. Imagine my surprise when Fritz called to say he'd be here!
• We will have Colin Comer's book here: Fifty Years of Cobra,  and Colin himself is trying to arrange his schedule so he can be here to sign them for you.

And speaking of seeing you, to plan for the amount of food and drinks, if you're coming please send a quick note here with the number of people in your car/group.  It can be as simple as just putting in the subject line: Yes, one person.

Speaking of books, we are now taking pre-orders for the Shelby Biography written by Rinsey Mills that will be released April 21st. With each book we are including a 6"x9.25" archive photo reprint of Carroll and I that was taken to promote the Driving School back in '62.

I highly recommend this book.  Rinsey Mills, noted UK author and automotive historian has left no stone unturned in the quest to produce the complete study of a remarkable life. With Carroll's collaboration, Rinsey has carried out extensive research and conducted numerous interviews with Carroll, family, friends and those who have worked with him. I, as many (especially Carroll), have been working with Rinsey for a few years now as he's been researching and writing this book. This biography is not the usual fluff. Here at last is the real, raw, high octane truth, right from Shelby's first memory as a child through to the present day. Mills has it all in fascinating detail that can be as outrageous as it is funny. It's all there including the whole deeply researched early automotive history in Texas with Jim Hall, Shelby's racing days in Europe and, of course, the legendary Cobra and Ford eras, as well as the years with Toyota and Chrysler.  It also includes Carroll's "lost" years in Africa. It's all etched deeply in the pages of this fantastic 400+ page volume that took Mills several years to research and write. 

I personally recommend this fine book as one of the most interesting and intriguing biographies you'll ever have a chance to read. Having spent several years of my life with Shelby I thought I knew more than most...I wasn't even close. Rinsey has it all!  Go here to order yours now and we'll ship it and the archive photo to you the moment they arrive. 

It's practically impossible to decide where to start with describing Brian.  He has been a crew chief, technician, parts manager, etc, etc for factory rally teams for Hyundai (working for John Buffum), Mitsubishi, ProDrive and most recently Subaru.  In addition to Buffum, Brian has worked with such superstars as Colin McRae, Dave Mirra, Troy Lee, Travis Pastrana, Ken Block and Boris Said.  Going beyond the call of duty for a crew chief and technician, for these teams he has also created inventory and accounting systems (have we mentioned yet that he started life as a Unix systems analyst).  

And that's just his work with rally teams.  He's also done ground up restorations of some very fine, show quality cars, including body and paint work.  What has probably impressed us the most around here is how Brian instinctively knows what needs to be done and takes the initiative to do it.  Just before Brian joined us we bought a Superformance Coupe that needed the typical work done to it (changing out some parts to a higher quality, realigning the exhaust system, replacing the rear hatch window, rubber moldings, etc).  Brian jumped right in and has made this car a superstar on its own (if you'd like to be sent info on the car, send inquiries here).  Welcome Brian, and thanks!