The Shelby American (Summer 2022)

found him building something like 5,000 living units and numerous com- mercial developments in four states: Arizona, California, Oregon andWash- ington. With his business long estab- lished, the dream to reacquire BEX392 grew stronger, but nothing happened until after Monterey Car Week in 2016, where Grant reintro- duced his just restored Lola GT Mk 6. With that project done, he began to chase down his old AC Bristol. Bob Allen had sold it long ago and Grant soon learned that buyer was being haunted by a messy divorce and had gone to ground with the car. Grant finally tracked down that guy’s son in Merced, California and left a message with the son about look- ing for his old AC Bristol. The next day he saw an incoming call from Merced and it was the owner himself, who said he still had the car in, of all places, Modesto. They met Thanksgiving week in 2018 and the dance com- menced: “ Would you consider selling it? ”…. “ What do you think it’s worth? ” and so forth for a couple of weeks which, as it developed, stretched into months. Finally, a deal was struck in February, 2019 and BEX392 is now back with Allen Grant and in restora- tion. Another dream realized, but this one needing some work. These days Allen Grant is dabbling in some real estate projects and spend- ing time with his son Jeffrey, his grandson Cole and daughter Julie. With a successful career as a contrac- tor slowing a bit, Grant is working on getting BEX392 back into fighting trim. It’s been an interesting life for Allen Grant. His early days are immortal- ized through “Paul Milner” in George Lucas’ very successful Hollywood movie, “American Graffiti.” His racing career is part and parcel of the legend and then, at just 25-years old, reality set in and he got on with life and en- joyed success as a contractor. Fortunately for us, his Scottish her- itage has caused him to keep every bit of ephemera that crossed his path. He has pictures of it all, some included here. In the pile are the receipt from the family farm auction in 1942, his Ecurie AWOL membership card, the famous mimeographed sheet Shelby sent out in late 1965 offering the used race cars for sale (now tear-stained, as my copy would be…), pertinent race programs and news articles. With a ton of youthful enthusiasm, but a maturity beyond his years, a great work ethic, the car-control magic in the seat of his pants possessed by all the great drivers, and a bit of well- earned luck, Allen Grant drove for Shelby American in the glory years. In 1964 and 1965 there were 27 different drivers entered in the six Daytona Coupes in the FIA World Manufactur- ers Championship races. As an aside, just three of those men are still with us; Jochen Neerpasch (now 82), Peter Sutcliffe (85) and, the last American, Allen Grant (81). Dreams do come true. Well done Allen Richard Grant. The SHELBY AMERICAN One of the cars in Allen Grant’s collection is an accurate replica of the Coventry Motors Cobra he raced in 1963. He would love to own the original car, CSX2128, but it has be- come pretty pricey. A replica is the next best thing. Summer 2022 63