26th Mid America Ford Performance
Written by Keith Fudge

Talk about a “Fordtastic” place to be! If Shelby Mustangs and AC Cobras are your passion, then don’t miss this segment of Hemming’s My Classic Car. Last June 7-11, Dennis Gage and the crew traveled to Hallett Raceway just outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the 26th annual Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Show.

Sponsored by Ford Motor Company and Goodyear, this “Fords-only” gathering had something for everyone: road racing, drag racing, cruises, and a fantastic car show. Over the course of this four-day event, we saw almost every variety of Mustangs and Cobras, and there were even a few Panteras present!

Dennis talked with event coordinator and founder, Jim Wicks, who stated that this year’s show would host more than 800 cars. Jim also mentioned that although the show was originally conceived as an exclusive “Shelby” event, that now it was open to all models of Fords. With that type of invitation, Dennis began to feel the need to cruise so that he could experience some of the really cool cars that were in attendance.

Talk about a stroke of luck, first of all, Dennis got lucky as he persuaded someone to let him drive a Pantera! Next, he met Mark Wheatley, the owner of a pristine 1965 AC Cobra. As Mark and Dennis surveyed the car, Mark revealed that this AC had been used exclusively for racing and competed on the SECA circuit in 1965 and then again in the USRC in 1966 and 1967.

When Mark popped the hood, we could see why this Cobra had such success on the track because it was all business! Stocked with a vintage 289 ci Ford, and topped with eight Weber carburetors that pump approximately 2,000 cfm, this mean Snake pumps out around 450 hp, and in a car that weighs slightly more than 2,000 pounds, that is some kind of power. By the way, for those of you who are economy conscious, you’d better pass this one by. When Dennis commented on the Weber setup, Mark noted that it was good enough to get just about, “zero miles to the gallon.” After watching Dennis and Mark spin around the track in this Shelby, our response to that economy issue was, “So what?”

Next, Dennis spoke with Jan Frakes who gave us a tour of her immaculate 1969 Shelby GT350. Jan and her husband have owned the car for approximately two years and drive it to work or car shows on the average of two or three times per week! Also, a couple of characteristics that truly make this Shelby stand out are the color combinations and the optional equipment. First of all, other than being a Shelby, and possessing the ability to turn heads at every corner, it is the particular color or this vehicle that grabs everyone’s attention. The exterior is finished in luscious Gulfstream Aqua, while the white interior is absolutely showroom new. Also unique about this car is the fact that it was optioned with automatic transmission and air conditioning as well. Jan and her husband flew to New Mexico to purchase the car and then drove it homenow that’s what we call “car shopping!”

At last, Dennis found Steve Cowen and his own special ride! Although Steve doesn’t have a Shelby or a Cobra (unlike his son), he has a pretty impressive Ford of his own! Steve owns a 1946 Ford Pickup with a factory four-speed transmission. Steve told Dennis that this truck was a forerunner of the three-quarter ton pickup and that its use was primarily for farming. The four-speed transmission allowed farmers to haul many types of farming equipment. The truck was purchased in Kansas, and has been restored to showroom condition! By the way, the truck also has only 68K miles! Way to go Steve! Keep on Truckin’!

The 26th annual Mid-America Ford Performance and Shelby Meet was a tremendous success. If you are interested in next year’s event, you can find out information from the Shelby American Automobile Club website at www.saac.com