The Shelby American (Fall 2021)

of the coolest roads. All cars that were registered for the run met near the pool parking area and the line grew longer and longer as cars appeared. They handed out maps and Goody Bags and soon we were all driving off. We left by way of the West Entrance to the park, and it was a pleasant 12-15 minute drive over the park’s roads. Vistas and overlooks made you want to stop and take it all in but we knew we better keep up with the herd of Shelbys, Saleens and Mustangs run- ning down the road. They even had a police car stationed at the entrance di- recting traffic to make sure everyone got out as a group. We all headed west and eventually turned south near the town of Bloom- ington. After 28 miles we then turned again west in Bedford towards our destination of Gasthot Amish Village for lunch. Options were given on the map for different ways to go back, but we decided to follow a group that ap- peared to know the area. We soon know turned onto I-69 N and easily moved onto the interstate. Most of the cars in the caravan were newer mod- els and can cruise easily at the posted speed limit and even higher if condi- tions call for it; let’s just say that con- ditions were calling loud and strong and as we were the oldest car in the group and most of our cruising was done at about 4500-4800 rpms. Not that we intentionally broke any speed limits, but we may have occasionally bent a few. With the windows down and a 289 Hi-Po singing its song of ex- haust note and solid lifters it made for an enjoyable ride. We missed the turn for the scenic route in Bloomington but had a neat little cruise back the Lodge and ar- rived with plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the afternoon, walking around the parking lot and seeing all of the cars, bench racing and having conver- sations with the owners. I heard such wonderful stories, stories of purchases, restorations, finding “that right car” and so on. I wish that each owner would take the time to write them down and send them to The Shelby American and share them with mem- bers; they are too good not to share. A lot of detailing and cleaning was taking place as everyone wanted to make their car look its best for the next day’s show. I watched one gentle- man literally spend more than an hour cleaning the front grill of his late model Shelby. I jokingly told him he was the “Wax Bitch” and told him to use this nickname when anyone asked how the car got so clean. He continued to use it the rest of the weekend. It began a couple of years ago when I was helping a buddy clean his pro- street supercharged 426 Hemi Bar- racuda. People would ask him how he managed to keep it so clean and he would say, with a straight face, that he had a “wax bitch” who maintained it. From that time on, anyone cleaning someone else’s car was a “wax bitch” and we both thought it was hysterical. You can tell the pride that each owner has when cleaning their car. It is done with a sense of satisfaction and The SHELBY AMERICAN Fall 2021 96