SAAC Forum

On this Veteran's Day, SAAC extends its heartfelt gratitude to all those who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation, ensuring our cherished freedoms.

Many may not be familiar with the resume of our club leader.

One such Veteran is our very own Rick Kopec, who recently gave an interview to the popular YouTube channel Soft White Underbelly.

Grab a cold one and sit back for this interview

Ron, Ssgt, USAF

Thank you Mr Kopec and the other veterans we have here.

I was fortunate enough to read an advanced copy of his book. He is a remarkable guy.


Signed

CMSGT P. Disher, USAF/ WI ANG retired

Yes, thank you.

All the other vet's too.

(I would like to get a copy of your book when it's in print.)

What a excellent Veterans experience day experience. I have always enjoyed Ricks special style of telling a story and this one even more so. Thank you and all Veterans for their service. 

Wow-I had no idea.

Awesome listen

We still had greatness in our generation. It's unfortunate it was not recognized at the time.
Hopefully it gets published.

Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on November 11, 2024, 03:46:33 PMWe still had greatness in our generation. It's unfortunate it was not recognized at the time.
Hopefully it gets published.

^^^ exactly, and + another 1 on hopefulness.
Some of the comments on the video were disgusting... sounded like the same old crap that those guys came home to  :'(  (where's the angry face emoji when you need it?)

I admired Rick's fight to save SAAC from the takeover bid of Carroll and his lawyers. Now I better understand.

Thank you Rick

Happy Veteran's Day to all my fellow vets, especially Rick. I had to chuckle a bit when he described OCS.  Navy OCS at Newport, RI in the dead of Winter was brutal. They really did overload you with more crap than you could process just to see how you'd handle it. Being smart didn't necessarily help.  The valedictorian from Rensselaer Polytech rolled out half way through. He just couldn't acclimate. BTW, really liked the shirt, Rick!
LT NNWO, USNR-Ret

Great video, thank you to all that serve and served.

Rick,

   Thank you and everyone else in the military for your/their service

A salute of gratitude to all who served. Thank you.

Here's a bench I had made to honor all soldiers and Veterans. Zoom in to see the details. It's a little hard to read but the left side says
 " Freedom isn't Free
 All gave some
Some gave All

      Roy

Stuck on the rock (Okinawa) in the USMC, wanted to go to SAAC-9 Anaheim so bad. Only FPO mail, no phones, computers, no nothing. Totally AFU. Kopec (who I had never met) somehow got wind, totally set me up. Even got me the #2 spot on the '65 line next to Don Day in 003. I thought 'Wow'.
He never even mentioned that he was a vet!
Wasn't until years later I learned of his tremendous combat record.

~SA
A/1/9

More about Rick:
https://www.motortrend.com/features/1503-meet-rick-kopec-co-founder-of-the-shelby-american-automobile-club-saac/

     Roy

Quote from: csxsfm on November 11, 2024, 06:08:59 PMI admired Rick's fight to save SAAC from the takeover bid of Carroll and his lawyers. Now I better understand.

That was when I got to know Rick up close and personal. thats how this forum was born. Rick Kopec is in my list of top ten humans I have ever known!

Wow had no idea......the Viet Nam vets are heroes.That you for your service and all the other veterans here.

PS my uncle fly helicopters with one of the intelligence units about the same time

Stuart

Amazing story, amazing person.  I'm sure this video only scratched the surface of what went on in Vietnam.
Thank you Rick.

Unfortunately I just saw this topic so a belated "thank you for your service" to all our Vets. I'll watch the video when I get a little time today. My Nephew/Godson is a Major in the Air Force(career) running cyber security schools right now. I couldn't be prouder of him.

Incredible thread – reading these stories really puts things into perspective. Rick Kopec's dedication, both on the battlefield and here at SAAC, is nothing short of inspiring. It's amazing how his quiet heroism helped save this community and touched so many lives. Thanks for your service, Rick, and thank you to all the vets who've paved the way <3 (https://szkolenieikurs.pl/)

It's happening. I've heard "Bad Moon Rising" is at the publishers and will be out soon.
Rick has also been working on a book about the 50 years of SAAC.

Look forward to getting a copy.

I can't wait to get a copy of Rick's book if it gets published. I feel fortunate that my (Special Edition 15/50) SAAC 65-67 4TH Edition Shelby Registry is autographed by Rick.

Quote from: PoFoMoCo on April 29, 2025, 09:33:00 PM......Shelby Registry is autographed by Rick.

I had him sign the Lane detail model of his Essex Wire R Model for the grandson. It sits next to his Chuck Cantwell signed 001 model. He's got the Exoto Daytona Coupe CS signed. I need to get take that one along next time we go to NV and get Pete Brock to sign it. It a model of the one CS owned and was tested for the relaunch of Sports Car Graphic. It's one of the 2 I've driven.