Ray Wolff 1964 Mustang
Notchback #9
Ray Wolff worked closely with Chuck Cantwell at
Shelby American and later opened as General Manager with Lew Spencer and Carroll
Shelby himself Hi-Performance Motors Inc. at the 901, North Sepulveda Ave. in El
Segundo/California as a showroom and sales outlet for Cobras and Sunbeam Tigers,
but also Shelby Mustangs and yes, Toyotas. The shop operated at least from
1965-1967. Several cars were picked up from there as "ex-factory".
At the
same time at a different adress he ran a racing shop to prepare his and other
racing cars.
Picture courtesy Alan Faulkner/UK
History
To my best knowledge this #9
Mustang race car was
build on the base of one of the first two Mustang notchback prototypes that SA received,
which was a 5F08K208XXX along the early TDF Mustangs sent over to
Alan Mann Racing.
Both cars appear in Jaques Passino papers next to the TDF
rallye cars with destination Shelby American.
Another source said that Chuck
Cantwell bought a car from a local Ford dealer, however that trace rather leads
to the Don Peck car.
We may solve the history of those 2 early 64 and the
later 66 prototypes soon in 2024, as further research is ongoing.
In several SAAC
publications the history line is drawn to this later Ray Wollf racing car #9.
1966 Phoenix SCCA
race/ Ray Wolff
In 1966 Ray raced at least in 3 races with this
Mustang #9 from February 1966 to September 1966.
- Feb: Phoenix SCCA
-
April: Tucson SCCA
- September 4h Riverside (with Chuck Cantwell)
The car was used in AS classses as visible here.
Note the different rim/tire combo in the race following the Phoenix race. I
assume this is the Texas race.
After the season ended in September 1968 Ray Wolff may have gone back to an
import/export business, imported a Mercer race from Mexico at least and became
soon a Duesenberg car owner, which brought him into connection with the
Auburn/Duesenberg vintage car restoration business.
What happened to this
car?
Speculation remains until we find further evidence.
It is
interesting to note that at some time there was some update maybe to a 65/66
hood and grille, while the chrome edge on the hood is missing all time.
Anything you'd like to contribute to straighten out our story here, pls.
send in. This is an ongoing research. Thanks in advance.
Picture probably taken at VACA Valley race 1966.
| 
