Sammy Hagar's Mustang revs up car show

By JIM OSBORN/Telegram Staff Writer

Saturday, Aug 12, 2006 - 08:49:35 pm CDT

COLUMBUS - A darling of the 1960s should strike a chord with classic car buffs visiting today's Mustang/Ford Auto Show in Frankfort Square.

The vintage 1967 Shelby Mustang G.T. 500 on display during the noon-4 p.m. show is not only a classic symbol of the muscle cars of that era, it also serves as a crimson reminder of a previous owner. Rock ‘n' roller Sammy Hagar, former frontman for the band Van Halen, previously owned and rebuilt the car designed by the legendary Carroll Shelby.

The Shelby Mustang, known as the Red Rocker, has embraced Hagar's signature color. The car is painted in

Guards Red and features an insignia on the rear spoiler with a replica of Hagar's red guitar. The singer also often performs in a red jumpsuit.

“There's a signature on the dashboard that says: ‘To Sammy, from your good friend, Carroll Shelby,' '' said Mike Patak, the owner of Mike's Classic Cars in Blair. He bought the car at an Arizona auction earlier this year for $270,000.

Included with the purchase was a guitar owned and signed by Hagar along with an autographed case of Cabo Wabo, the brand of tequila developed and advertised by the rock singer.

“The car was owned by a rock ‘n' roll celebrity and is signed by a celebrity of the automotive world,'' Patak said.

Today's auto show is sponsored by the Platte Valley Mustang Club.

Shelby had a prosperous career producing the modified A.C. Bristol Corbas, turning them into veritable Ferrari killers in various forms of racing. In the mid-1960s, he took his engine-using partnership to Ford Motor Co. and began introducing high-performance Mustangs.

The G.T. 500 Shelby was introduced in 1967, and it packed a punch. The model was equipped with a 335 horsepower, 428 cubic-inch big block engine.

The “Red Rocker” Shelby, which sold for $4,300 new in 1967 with the standard 428 CC V8 engine, has been outfitted with a 427 CC racing engine, Patak said.

Mustangs and other Ford models also will be displayed at today's show, which will include a live disc jockey and concessions.