And From the "Where Are They Now?" Files...

[Dave Smith]

Dick Smith's Famous #198 CSX 3035 Finds New Home

http://www.factoryfive.com/whatsnew/press/maf/images/dicksmith198.jpg
Photo courtesy Modified Mustangs & Fords magazine.

For many years, before he passed away, Dick Smith was a great supporter and friend of Factory Five Racing and the Factory Five community. Our new Mk4 Roadster carries Dick's famous car, #198, forward, however, his original car has been in limbo for quite some time.
Owner Heather Smith has generously featured the car at club events and charity events around the country. This month's Mustang and Ford's magazine reports that CSX3035 has found a new home in the AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) Museum in Hershey, PA. The car is on display along with an entire line-up of famous Ford models.

Everyday here at Factory Five we remember Dick's contribution to American road racing as well as his unique contributions to the Factory Five community.

[David Hodgkins]

Dave, I hope Dick's car continues to see the light of day. Dick loved to DRIVE CSX 3035. I was fortunate enough to watch him pilot the car around Willow Springs and loved to see it on occasion at various events, either in person or as pictures taken by awed bystanders. I remember when Dick gave the keys to Roger Stein and blessed him with the thrill of a lifetime. The thought of it on perpetual display is a museum is saddening.

:)

[Dave Smith]

I agree, Dave. The museum is really impressive, but it is a little sad for those of us who have seen Dick's car in action, especially with the man behind the wheel. Roger died a bit more than a year after Dick, and they were good friends. Who knows what lies ahead, but it is a cool thought to think of Dick and Roger still racing in another reality. In the meantime, the car lies dormant. At least others can see the car up close.

[Russ Thompson]

Personally I will miss seeing the car at the track! I am glad it found a good home but I hope that get it out every once in awhile for a run, I know Dick would like that! :-)

[Jeff Kleiner]

At least it is right in Mark Ds back yard in Hershey. Hopefully Heather arranged it with the AACA for him to stop by and "exercise" it every now and then.

Here's proof that he knows how:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsr8XBSYCws

Cheers,
Jeff

[Gordon Levy]

Dick and I had a lot of fun when I restored that car some almost 25 years ago, and for many years after. We also had a fun weekend when I introduced you to Dick in Jan of 97 when I ran the first race a FFR was involved in. You and Mark spent the weekend with us at PIR.
Ah memories.

[Chepsk8]

We featured his car in the $helby Retrospective I helped on and co-curated last year at the AACA Museum. As well, Mark brings it to my SAAC region's annual SAAC North East Regional meet's car show held every October at the AACA museum. I think it also spent time down in Philly at the Simeone collection.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/Chepsk8/realcobras15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/Chepsk8/AACAraceCarrow.jpg

[mrmustang]

Dave,

I do not believe it is on permanent display at the AACA museum, but was (I did say that in the past tense) on display for the $helby exhibit from last year (as Dan mentioned above).....The estate has yet to find the "right buyer" for the car, which is on sale for 5M at this time....


Bill S.

[Dave Smith]

Gordo, those were good days.

Bill, I knew that Heather was looking to sell the car for $5M and was also not in a hurry. Thanks for the update. We had originally wanted to use the car for the MuscleCar TV show comparing the original car to the new FFR Mk4 and it was already enroute to the museum. Here's hoping Heather gets what she wants and that the new owner carries on Dicks tradition of DRIVING the car!

I sat in the car and drove with Dick Smith in it a long time ago. To me the car is special as it and Dick were so central to us starting Factory Five. It is also part of our shared American Roadracing History and to me, deserves to be in the Smithsonian.

[ipsale]

Thanks Dave and everyone else that posted photos of Dick's car. I was great to be able to show my 9 year old the car that gave us the wonderful shape of our Mk4. It brought a smile to my face, then my son's and then mine all over again!

Rob

[68GT500MAN]

Being one of only a handfull of lucky people to ever drive Dick's car, I can speak from experience that it will always be a thrill beyond belief. The AACA is just down the road from Mark's house, so I know that he will drop by now and then. Heather has been looking for a safe place for the car that will also allow others to see it for several years (many places wanted to display the car, but after consulting others, the right place was not found...until now). I believe that this will be one less thing for her to wory about. Wishing her the best in the future.
Doug

[OCCPete]

I hope the museum spot is more "winter storage" than a permenant thing. I got a ride in #198 at LCS - what a thrill!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9JX2xTL9WE&feature=channel_video_title

Pete

[Raceral]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/raceral/SAAC%2036%20%20at%20VIR/SAAC36048.jpg

[AJ Roadster NJ]

It sure would be good karma to figure out a way to get this car to the Monterey Historics in August 2012, where the featured marque will be $helby you-know-whats. Monterey is always known for bringing together incredible numbers of a given marque for their feature. I'll definitely be there this year (coordinated a family reunion to coincide with the Pebble Beach Concorse d'Elegance and Monterey Historics, how cool is that?) and the field just won't seem complete without Dick Smith's #198, regardless of what other examples show up.

AJ

[LuckyWinner]

This is one of those posts that made me go strait out to the garage and do some work. What a wonderful car and story.

[Mark Dougherty]

Hi guys
I figured I would chime in here.
Dick & heathers Cobra CSX 3035 is in the Hershey museum till the first of the year. It is part of a Christmas display with a great big teddy bear in the driver seat. Personally I have named the Bear Dick. LOL
From there it will go to the Simione museum from January to March. The car will again go to the LCS show this spring. Heather has told me LCS is her favorite show of the year. You cannot beat the people that show up for this one. THE BEST. It is on the schedual to take the car to the monterey Historics in 2012
but logistics for the trip will have to be sorted out. After that. The Hershey antique auto show. Watkins glen grand prix.
This schedual is tentative.
Later
Mark D

[Jeff Kleiner]

Mark,
Good to hear that #198 will continue to make the rounds so that people can continue to enjoy it. I gotta' admit, when I first walked up to the car I felt a lump developing in my throat. The mystique and history of the car and the spirit of the man who made it famous that continues to surround it is that powerful... BTW, that's not the first big teddy bear to sit in that driver's seat my friend ;)

Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and great New Year!

If not before, I'll see you in London!

Jeff

[Heather Smith]

It is great hearing all the great stories about my late husband Dick Smith and his famous girl #198. I know how much enjoyment everyone gets from looking at the car and sharing stories. Unfortunately, I do not have the skill or desire to drive this great piece of history, so it can't get out as much as people would like. Every time I take it out I am awed by the amount of love and support I feel from so many people. I am very fortunate to have wonderful friends like Mark and Wanda Doughterty that have been able to help me show this car around the country during the last couple of years. I know some people are very saddened to hear that it is sometimes staying in museums and not on the track, but there was only one Dick Smith that could carry off those great driving days. It's amazing to be able to own such a famous piece of history but it also comes with a lot of responsibility, great memories and sad memories for the man that I lost. I am looking forward to 2012 and getting to see old friends and new and spreading some 198 joy around the U.S.
Happy New Years to all.
Kindly,
Heather Smith (widow of Dick Smith)

[Jeff R]

Here's Dick showing Roger which pedal made it go faster :cool:

http://jr.stangnet.com/Cobra%20Images/COCOA%205-06/DSC06292.JPG