We Love Ford's, Past, Present And Future

We Love Ford's, Past, Present And Future

The Kirt Fryer 1971 Mustang collection. Photos by David Newhardt, courtesy Mecum Auctions. Ask Mustang enthusiasts to name the most desirable examples over the years, and it鈥檚 a safe bet that the larger and heavier 1971 models won鈥檛 make everyone鈥檚 top-10 list. Collector Kirt Fryer sees things a bit differently, favoring the styling and high-performance engine options of the 1971 models, since that鈥檚 what was popular during his high school years. A career in oil and gas exploration has allowed Fryer to amass an impressive collection of roughly 15 1971 Mustangs, but on May 17-21 he鈥檒l be offering up six examples from his stable at Mecum鈥檚 Indianapolis sale. 1971 Mustang Boss 351, in Grabber Lime. 1971 Mustang Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet V-8. Gone was the 428 V-8, replaced by the 429 Cobra Jet, rated at 370 horsepower in standard-issue form, or 375 horsepower in Super Cobra Jet form. 1971 Mustang Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet interior.

1971 Mustang Boss 351 V-8. For those wanting to go fast in other than a straight line, Ford carried over the Boss Mustang, though the 302 V-8 had been replaced by the 351 V-8 (and the Boss 429 was no longer available). 600 potentially hundreds of pounds heavier than the model it replaced, more was definitely better. The cabin of the Grabber Lime 1971 Boss 351. Yes, that is a lot of green. Bright Red 1971 Mustang Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet. Of all the collection鈥檚 Mustangs, the Bright Red Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet is, perhaps, the most interesting and will likely draw the highest bids. Said to be unrestored with a claimed 37,000 miles on the odometer (likely gained in quarter-mile increments), the car retains not only its original driveline, but the engine鈥檚 original smog system and dual-point distributor as well. Grabber Blue 1971 Mustang Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet. The Grabber Blue Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet has ties to Hemmings Muscle Machines, having starred in our July 2015 issue.

At the time of the article, the owner of record was Bob Leenstra, who鈥檇 purchased the car from Kirt Fryer. Offered as part of the Kirt Fryer Collection, perhaps its penultimate owner had a change of heart and repurchased the car from Leenstra after our piece went to press. Grabber Green Metallic 1971 Mustang Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet. The only C6 automatic transmission-equipped Mach 1 Super Cobra Jet to be offered from the collection is a Grabber Green Metallic example that was originally delivered to Ford of Canada as a 鈥淪pecial Purpose Vehicle鈥?for Canadian dealer introductions. Per research from Kevin Marti, the car is said to be one of the first 429 Super Cobra Jet examples built, and is believed to be the first production example equipped with the 4.11:1 Detroit Locker differential. 1971 Mustang Boss 351, in Grabber Blue. The Grabber Blue Boss 351 shows a claimed 18,000 miles, and the car has been fully restored with all of its original sheet metal. Those with a passion for green may wish to consider the collection鈥檚 second Boss 351, finished in Grabber Lime with a Medium Green cloth and vinyl interior. Said to carry its original driveline and sheet metal, this example has received a partial repaint, excluding it from true 鈥渙riginal鈥?status. 1971 Mustang hardtop, with the Cobra Jet V-8. Though not the most attractive Mustang of the bunch, the car is said to be one of nine base model Mustangs ordered with the 429 Cobra Jet V-8 bolted to the C6 automatic transmission. As offered, it鈥檚 reported to have just 63,165 miles on the odometer, something we鈥檇 set to right as soon as the car hit our garage (and as long as gas prices remain at or below current levels, that is). 429 Cobra Jet V-8.

The Henry is a showcase of Americana, featuring dozens of historical cars, planes and trains, industrial era machinery, beautiful life size diorama displays and so much more. A visit takes you on a path through American history. You will see a recreation of the Wright Flyer, the very bus Rosa Parks sat on, plus Presidents Regan and Kennedy鈥檚 limos. There鈥檚 an actual Allegheny Big Boy steam locomotive, Bill Elliott鈥檚 212 mph T-Bird and, and an endless list of cool stuff. After our stop, we got a quick meal, a few hours rest, and with snow forecast, we packed the car and hustled out of town before dawn. It took just over an hour to get out of Michigan, and after a few more hours we crossed from Ohio into Kentucky. By mid-day, gloomy skies gave way to sunshine and Kentucky was in our rear-view. After roughly seven hours into the trip, we entered the Volunteer state. The Mustang was comfortable and the Coyote wasn鈥檛 very hungry.

It was knocking down 24 mph at highway speeds, however, driver and co-pilot鈥檚 tanks were on empty. In our haste to beat the snow we failed to pack road snacks so food was a necessity. Thanks to the beauty that is the Internet, locating vittles was not an issue. We were closing in on Knoxville, so Eric Google-searched 鈥淜noxville Fried Chicken.鈥?Multiple links popped up, and after careful selection, we picked Gus鈥檚 World Famous Fried Chicken. It鈥檚 located just off I-75 which means easy off and easy on, and that鈥檚 a must when you鈥檙e road trippin鈥? Point blank, Gus鈥檚 rocks! This place takes you on the express flavortrain straight to gastronomical blissville. And while I realize fried chicken has little to do with drag testing, it has everything to do with happiness, and with four hours to go (on the first day), we were now happy- very happy. So happy, that we stocked up with a load to go.