[60sStuff]

Cool story from my childhood.

My awesome Father, RIP, was a professional pilot based out of our hometown Springfield, Illinois in the late 50’s and through the 70’s.
Back then it was called Capital Aviation and I got my first job out of high school working in the parts department. This was 1972.

About 1966 my parents needed a new car, so Dad asked one of his good friends at the airport Bill Russell which managed the Hertz rental cars what he might have in a good used, not abused rental car.

Today my mind vividly remembers (I was 12 years old) when Dad took me to meet with Bill on the weekend to see what was available.
Inside one of the big hangers over in a dark corner were two Black/Gold Striped GT350H cars. Even as a kid those cars looked menacing.
Hell I’d never seen anything like that type of car before.

Yes, they had been pulled from the rental fleet and Bill informed my Dad that they may be available for purchase in the future.
Well we know what happens here. Obviously Dad thought they were cool but my parents needed a family car, so a purchase was made of a Mustang Coupe in the cool emberglo color.

Imagine if we only knew. Not one, but two sitting there for the taking.

The G.T.350 H
Capital Airport
My Dad (in the light blue coat) getting ready to fly Illinois Senator Dirksen in 1967.
Me on my ‘66 Schwinn Stingray with Moms Buick Wildcat and Dads Mustang.