Summary

One of five pace car convertibles specially built on October 17, 1969, for American Raceways Inc. Atlanta International Speedway car, highly equipped and documented, sporting a museum display professional older restoration. From the Mile-High Collection.

Details

Among the many special Mustang variants produced during the 1960s, Ford Motor Company's five 'ARI' pace car convertibles are particularly sought-after today. In late 1969, Ford was approached by American Raceways International (ARI) to build a special 10-car batch, including five special Mustang pace car convertibles - one for each of ARI's five racetracks - plus five 'VIP' Mach 1 fastbacks. All were specified with R-code (Ram Air) 428 Cobra Jet engines and C6 automatic transmissions. The pace car convertibles in particular received specially painted hoods, custom stripes, and ARI rear-fender logos signifying the company's Atlanta, Eastern, Texas, Riverside and Michigan properties. Other highlights included open 3.00:1 rear axles, air conditioning, engine oil coolers, plus significant modifications. The 428 CJ engines were removed and sent to Ford Engineering, where they were balanced, blueprinted and upgraded with a competition 3-angle valve job and fitted with shot-peened connecting rods and heavy-duty pistons and gaskets. Other highlights included a tubular 1.5-inch padded roll bar, 150-psi Stewart-Warner oil pressure gauge, NASCAR-spec 'T' oil pan and transmission blueprinting. Additionally, front coil springs were slightly cut down. Built on October 17, 1969, the ARI pace car convertibles feature sequential 120300-120304 serial numbers. Numbered 120302, this Grabber Blue ARI pace car convertible was assigned to Atlanta International Raceway and used on-track during the 1970 racing season. Interestingly, the cars were sold for $1 and deal terms stipulated they would be used for pace car duties only and then sold back to Ford with public sale or use prohibited. Inexplicably, 120302 was sold after ARI's usage, possibly the result of the company's bankruptcy around the time these special Mustangs were still in use. Eventually, 120302 was acquired by collector Bruce Weiss and restored for museum display only by TSS Restorations of Melbourne, FL. Maintaining exceptional integrity, the restoration was completed using the Mustang's original body components, wiring, interior, convertible top, engine, transmission, rear end and most other miscellaneous parts, with restored original and NOS (New Old Stock) items used as required. Following completion, the Mustang was featured in the October 1992 edition of Mustang Times, published by the Mustang Club of America, followed by a 1993 Mustang & Ford article. Exceptional documentation includes the original Build Sheet, confirmation letter from Ford to ARI, the original Ford owner card and rare original Ford inspection sheets. Incredibly rare, interesting and retaining so much original content, this ARI Mustang convertible remains one of the most fascinating and collectible of all. From the Mile-High Collection.