The Shelby American (Fall 2021)

our first photo op was in front of Smitty’s Market. This is the original location of Kreuz’s, the most recogniz- able BBQ restaurant in the Lone Star State. A family ownership dispute more than a decade ago resulted in the brother keeping the name “Kreuz’s” and relocating, with the sister taking possession of the old building but with a new name – Smitty’s. There are four BBQ eateries that serve the 10,000 in- habitants here in Lockhart, and you’ll find a line of customers out the door at each one of them at lunchtime every day. Amazing. It’s also how I’d describe the aroma outside Smitty’s while snapping photos. “ My mom worked downtown in Be- midji and she would always park four blocks down the street under a big oak tree to protect the car from the sun. When I was 10 we moved to Casper, Wyoming. My dad had already relo- cated to Casper, so mom and I came later, driving the Mustang. I also re- member the many trips back to Min- nesota in this car to visit my family, whether it was winter or summer. As the years took their toll on the coupe it sat more and more and was only driven once or twice a year - a mile or two down a dirt road to the highway. My mom was so proud that the car had 199,000 miles and the engine had never been touched, other than one valve being replaced .” Shelby American was tasked with the design and engineering of several parts for the GT/CS. The unique fea- tures included Marchal or Lucas fog lights, twist-type hood locks, side scoops, a pop-open gas cap, rear spoiler decklid with end caps and 1965 non- sequential Thunderbird taillights. Side stripes with the "GT/CS" die-cut logo along with a rear decklid stripe were included. Any existing engine or transmission available on the Mustang could be or- dered, with the exception of the 427 engine. If you own a 1968 GT/CS with the 390 or 428 CJ I’d recommend you hang on to it – they are considered rare options. Sales of the California Special reached outside the Golden State to neighboring Washington, Ne- vada, Texas, Utah, Oklahoma, Ari- zona, Western Canada, and Colorado. Only 4,118 California Specials were produced in 1968. The most recognizable California Special has to be the Green Hornet, the second Shelby coupe prototype constructed by Shelby American for the purpose of testing an independent rear suspension and Conelec fuel in- jection system. In my book, the second most eye-catching GT/CS has to be Denise Tillman’s gray model. It’s defi- nitely the most loved. We arrived in Lockhart a few hours before our appointment with Denise and decided to hit the antique shops in the historic town square, across from the grand courthouse. While perusing through an extremely hot attic of one shop, I came across ‘the find of a life- time.’ an unopened 1969 Hasbro pro- grammable toy Ford GT40 Mark IV. Resting beside it was an identical box, but opened, so I was able to see what the toy looked like without unwrap- ping it. I gladly paid the clerk $35 for the GT40. still sealed tightly in 50+ year-old cellophane. American Pickers had obviously not made it to the BBQ Capital yet. Denise explained how she came to take ownership. “ In 2009 my dad passed away and Mom decided it was time to let the car go. I had been ask- ing since I could drive at the age of 16 if I could have the ‘Cali Special,’ know- ing that was not going to happen. But this day the planets were all in align- ment and I drove the GT/CS home – where it sat for six months. Dick, my husband, and I kept talking about how we would ‘refresh’ my car, knowing it wasn’t going to be a small task. We eventually enlisted the help of Ed Franklin at Refinish Tech in Casper, Wyoming to tackle the project. He was gracious enough to allow us to order the parts while he handled the labor. What a blast! Researching and order- ing the needed pieces was exciting .” The SHELBY AMERICAN Fall 2021 89