There Were Classic American Machines At the Back the Heroes Rumble Car Show

While early rain and the threat of more kept the turnout low at the 6th Annual Back the Heroes Rumble Car Show on the campus of West Clermont schools, of the more than 70 cars and trucks that did attend there were some classic American automobiles that helped raise money for first responders and military personnel. Among the vehicles on display was a beautiful 1969 Shelby Cobra GT500. Shelby American, the company owned by Carroll Shelby, began transforming Ford Mustangs into ultra high performance machines in 1965. By 1968 the demand was so high that Ford began making the modifications themselves. The 1969 GT500 had a 428 cubic inch (7.0 liter) V8 engine but had undergone changes, mostly cosmetic, without input from Shelby himself. He terminated his agreement with Ford that year. There were other impressive rides on display including a 1962 Oldsmobile F-82 convertible, some examples of unmodified Mustangs, a third generation Chevy Corvette, and perhaps the most impressive of all, a 1972 Ford Pinto Runabout that has actually survived.