Vehicle Description
Rooted in a 10-car order from American Raceways International
(ARI), this very special 1970 Ford Mustang Convertible is one of
the five "ARI" pace car convertibles built consecutively on October
17, 1969. All were specified with R-code (Ram Air) 428ci Cobra Jet
engines and C6 automatic transmissions, plus specially painted
hoods, custom stripes and ARI rear-fender logos signifying the
company's Atlanta International Speedway, Eastern Speedway, Texas
International Speedway, Riverside Raceway, and Michigan
International Speedway properties. Other highlights included open
3.00:1 rear axle, climate control system, engine oil coolers, plus
significant modifications. The 428ci 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 1-1/2-inch padded roll bar,
150-psi Stewart Warner oil pressure gauge, NASCAR-spec "T" oil pan
and transmission blueprinting. Additionally, the front coil springs
were slightly cut down. The ARI pace car convertibles feature
sequential 120300-120304 serial numbers and, following completion,
the public introduction of the five ARI Mustang pace car
convertibles took place at New York City's famed Tavern on the
Green in Central Park. Numbered 120301, this Grabber Green Mustang
ARI pace car convertible was assigned to Michigan International
Speedway and subsequently sold to an individual and not back to
Ford Motor Company for the contractually stipulated $1
consideration. Subsequent history is unknown until Gary Pietraniec
learned of its existence underneath a tarp behind a garage, finally
purchasing it after a couple of years on December 28, 1990, and
then having it totally and painstakingly restored. Pietraniec
retained the Mustang until 1995 and several more owners/collectors
followed, including Dr. Dwight Shreck, followed by acquisition by
the Mile-High Collection. In addition to a duplicate original Build
Sheet, this extremely well-equipped and rare 1970 Ford Mustang
convertible is accompanied by several period photographs, including
the New York introduction festivities, an image of the car in front
of Ford Motor Company's World headquarters and period photos of the
car at Michigan International Speedway. From the Mile-High
Collection.
