With the opening of the new zMax Dragway on the grounds of the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, the NMRA jumped at the chance to host its first-ever event in the Ford-rich Carolinas. While the Nitto All-Star Nationals, held August 6-9, gave drag racers a chance to try out the new track surface, car show participants gathered from around North and South Carolina to compete for the numerous NMRA awards and trophies. Fortunately, the weather cooperated with sunny skies all weekend.
Editor's Choice
Chris Lyons was a junior in high school when he purchased his '73 Mach 1 in 1975. "I paid $3,000 for it with only 6,000 miles on it. I went to school during the day and worked every evening so I could pay for it and the insurance. I knew it was special, so I was willing to sacrifice my free time in order to own it."
Powered by the Q-code 351 Cobra Jet engine, Chris avoided driving the red Mach 1 in inclement weather, instead parking it in the garage while he drove his father's truck to school and work. In 1987, with 46,376 miles on the odometer, Chris parked the Mach 1 permanently, "I decided it was too special to risk an accident," Chris explains. "It continues to be stored in a climate-controlled environment, with a dehumidifier running 24/7. Along with the paint, everything in and on it is original."
Ten years ago, Chris and his father pulled the engine for a clean-up. "We put it on an engine stand and painstakingly cleaned it piece by piece, making sure all the parts were Ford manufactured before putting it back in the car."
Today, Chris mainly uses the Mach 1 for car shows near his Traphill, North Carolina home. At the Charlotte NMRA event, his long-time preservation efforts paid off. "I've been an avid Mustang Monthly subscriber for over 18 years," Chris told us. "Winning the Editors Choice award in Charlotte is a tremendous thrill for me."
Rural Hall, North Carolina's...
Rural Hall, North Carolina's Dickie Speas was a big winner at the Charlotte NMRA event with his unrestored, original-owner '70 Boss 302. The Calypso Coral Boss won Best Classic Mustang on Saturday and Best of Show on Sunday. Dickie purchased his Boss in November 1969.
Floyd Proctor lives in Shelby,...
Floyd Proctor lives in Shelby, North Carolina, so it's only fitting that his '66 Mustang fastback is decked out in Shelby livery. Powered by a 331 stroker with a five-speed, Floyd's Mustang took home a First Place People's Choice award on Saturday.
You still see an occasional...
You still see an occasional Mach 1 on the street these days, but Frank McKnight's blue '03 is nicer than most. He won a Top 20 Ford trophy on Sunday.
Boss 429s were not built to...
Boss 429s were not built to pamper. Gary Poling's '69 from China Grove, North Carolina, is living proof of that. The engine in the 8,500-mile Boss was built by Al Moody Race Engines in Atlanta with a factory dual-quad intake and twin Holley carbs. With 4:30:1 gears in the 9-inch rear, Gary's original-paint Boss has run a best of 10.66/1122 mph in the quarter-mile.
The engine in Randy Izatt's...
The engine in Randy Izatt's '91 Mustang GT was built by Charlie Brown. Seriously. Now measuring 306 cubic-inches, the powerplant is equipped with GT-40 heads, Cobra 70mm throttle body, and 76mm Pro-M mass-air meter. As his only mode of transportation, Randy drives his Fox-body Mustang everyday around his hometown of Lawndale, North Carolina.