Interesting read. Also note that Jim Rathman probably piloted more pace cars than anyone else, at least in modern times.
I met the man many times back in the early 70s when I was a teenager since my Dad was a good friend and he bought many cars from his dealership in Melbourne Florida, including my older sisters 69 camaro, my older brothers 72 vette, and my first car, a 74 camaro (what a pile of dog stuff it was). Still though, we all got new cars as seniors in high school so....my Dad was a great guy!!
Just jogged my memory...we went to melbourne to pick up a new 70 monte carlo for my Mom. It was loaded with all the options. I thought it was cool, and it was pretty fast as I remember. She often burned some rubber. I think that was the first time I met Rathman, and I remember it because we drove the brand new car with him over to watch one of the Apollo moon launches that day. I'll never forget that. We were at least about 10 miles away and I could feel the rumble and the heat on my face from the rocket.
Funny that the GM CEO drove a viper, and in 91 Dodge had to replace the stealth with the still unfinished viper because of the UAW.
Shelby also drove a mopar during his brief affair away from ford.
