Lorne34 Shelby GT350 Build: MESTENO

[Lorne34]

Attending a local event called License to Cruise. It is held every year at the end of September before Octoberfest. An estimated 100,000 people converged on downtown Appleton WI for this event.
I was able to display my Shelby in the indoor showcase featuring "cars of special interest"
The outside exhibit is normally open only to vehicles 20+ years old.
*Also my first look at a real life Z06; owner was not present.
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[Lorne34]

Met GT350Keith this past weekend and had the privilege of taking some photos alongside his 1969 Shelby GT350 Convertible. What a cool experience seeing these two iconic cars together....
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[Lorne34]

Went for a ride in my neighbors 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo. Super Fast and Fun car. .
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[Lorne34]

Took the Shelby for a Fall Cruise this past weekend. The weather was perfect and probably one of the last outings before the weather turns bad. I never get tired of looking at that hood.
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[Lorne34]

Purchased a set of Bucket Dollies with Casters from Obsessed Garage. Really well built and love the adjustment screws for different sized buckets. I now have 3 buckets. One for Wheels, one for full foam wash and one for ONR maintenance washes.
Here is a video that talks about a single bucket wash method.
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[Lorne34]

Went in for my annual ceramic coating maintenance before putting the car away for the winter. Also had the vinyl stripes buffed out and recoated with ceramic. Big improvement. Also took some pics in front of some classic cars.
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[Lorne34]

Purchased a Wheel bucket hook accessory that I discovered on a thread in the Washing-Detailing Forum. For $20 I was pretty skeptical but this thing is solid and well constructed to lock unto the bucket rim.
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[Lorne34]

It's 29 degrees today, so finally got around to getting the Shelby up on the wheel dollies and turned so I can work on some projects this winter. Also got the battery tender hooked up.
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[Lorne34]

Garage organizing/Slatwall project is finally coming to completion. Just a few tweaks to some of the devices, hooks, baskets, etc.
Also added another poster above the garage door.
Final project will be the Swiss Trax flooring in the spring.
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[Lorne34]

Felt like the garage needed some "bling" so purchased a couple of Route 66 Neon (LED) signs to try out. Ended up putting one in the garage and the other on the wall in my office down stairs. Really changes the look/atmosphere of the room. Looking to add another one down the line. Don't want to go too crazy because often times less is more.
Also mounted a copy of my car show board. First proof had some defects on it, so I was gifted with this extra one for the garage.
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[Lorne34]

Monday January 8th marks 4 years of ownership of my Shelby GT350. It's been a great ride both literally and figuratively. I have not owned a wide range of sports cars, so my experience may be skewed a bit, but I have found this to be a most satisfying car in all aspects of ownership. I would love to have the $ and space to experience a Porsche, Ferrari, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Challenger, BMW M series, etc. but I have to say that the feedback from the car community, not just Ford owners, has been very positive and affirming.
Is this car perfect? No, but pretty darn close to perfect for me. The looks are off the charts, never get tired of staring, walking past it, watching my wife pull out of the driveway with it, or looking back after parking it. Interior wise the space, comfort and visibility make it a very livable car for any type of driving. Some say it is a "large" car, especially the hood, but I don't get that sense. My 2016GT with the big hood cowl of the original s550 design did feel a bit large, but this car just seems to shrink around me. I don't get a sense of it being overly massive.
Handling is incredible both on and off the track, plenty of grip and steering response is very good. Maybe I don't push the car to the limit at the track, but it's never felt out of control or at its limit of handling. The brakes are superb and inspire a lot of confidence. The sound is... well.... it's the sound. Hard to describe. The uniqueness of the FPC build created something that may never be duplicated again. Every time I get into the car I have a feeling of nervous excitement and anticipation, almost like I was test driving it for the first time. Pushing the start button and hearing that engine roar to life.... wow... is it spring yet?
It's been a joy to drive in all situations.... errands around town, cruising down a country road with no particular place to go, long road trips down south to Tennessee and Kentucky, or on the track at Road America.

I don't plan on selling this car, but I have learned to say "God willing" in all circumstances as we don't know what life has planned for us.
Right now I am just very grateful to be in a position to own and drive this car.
I also want to thank the Mustang 6g community for your friendship and encouragement during all my seasons of ownership, all the questions, advice, etc.

Remember..
"These cars are meant to be driven", so enjoy the hell out of all of it - not just the look of it when it is all clean" - Carroll Shelby.
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[Lorne34]

Installed some more "swag" for the garage area.. I think I am getting pretty close to being done.
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[DFB5.0]

Must be getting close to installing the Swisstrax?

 

[Lorne34]

Must be getting close to installing the Swisstrax?

Yes, the weather here has been unseasonably warm, but I'm not going to get fooled into thinking spring is here yet. Most likely be installing the Swiss Trax in April/May time frame.

 

[MAGS1]

Yes, the weather here has been unseasonably warm, but I'm not going to get fooled into thinking spring is here yet. Most likely be installing the Swiss Trax in April/May time frame.

Yeah we’re getting teased for sure right now. Was 55F here in the Chicago burbs today and we finally saw the sun after more than a week. Next week looks similar then they’re saying the cold and snow comes back the second half of the month. You’ve probably got a week or two window but I don’t blame you for waiting. Still gets in the low 30’s at night, no bueno if you’ve got Cup2’s and have to leave the car outside.

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