By Sonja J. Keith
Randy Sims recently made a special purchase that takes him back to his college days.
Sims, who is president of First State Bank, recently bought a 2008 Shelby GT500from Smith Ford in Conway. The shiny, white Mustang with an over-the-top racing stripe and GT500 body stripe, is similar to a car that Sims owned years ago – a 1971 Mach 1 with a 351-horsepower Cleveland engine.
By Sonja J. Keith
Randy Sims recently made a special purchase that takes him back to his college days.
Sims, who is president of First State Bank, recently bought a 2008 Shelby GT500from Smith Ford in Conway. The shiny, white Mustang with an over-the-top racing stripe and GT500 body stripe, is similar to a car that Sims owned years ago – a 1971 Mach 1 with a 351-horsepower Cleveland engine.
“And it would run,” he added with a smile.
Sims paid $2,125 for the first car with earnings from working at a grocery store in Pine Bluff. “My parents did not want me to purchase the Mustang, for obvious reasons. We had just recently moved to Monticello and I found it there at Ryburn Ford. It had been briefly owned by a doctor. I am not sure why he traded it but it was about the hottest thing in Monticello. I purchased it, immediately added an eight-track tape player along with the latest Steppenwolf album and started cruising the town square with the windows down and ‘Born to be Wild’ at the highest volume possible.
“So what’s not to love about being the new kid with the hottest car in town!”
Later, with new responsibilities, Sims decided it would be best to sell his Mustang. “The biggest mistake I ever made was to sell my Mach 1 but a new baby and starting a family at poverty banker wages was an overriding factor in the decision.
“Over the years, I have always wanted to find another Mustang. About 25years ago I bought a fast back GT that I was going to fix up but my abilities as a mechanic somehow prevented progress. It wouldn’t go in reverse on a regular basis and that new dash I installed just didn’t fit right. I sold it before we moved to Conway.
“Ford almost ruined the Mustang but finally decided to bring back the original style. When they announced the Shelby and the fact there would be a limited number of cars, I started talking to Kenne Ketcheside to put me on his list.”
The exterior of the 2008 GT500 isn’t the only thing impressive about the new car, described by Ford as “the most powerful production Mustang ever.” The 2008model is outfitted with a 500-horsepower, 5.4 liter, 32-valve supercharged and intercooled V8 engine.
It will go from 0 mph to 60 in 4.5 seconds, according to Sims, with a top speed “too fast for anyone on the street!”
Sims plans to drive the car on pretty days and on special trips. “The highways are the most fun but you have to keep your eye on the speed. I don’t really want to load it up with mileage.”
The Shelby Mustang – a performance muscle car that dates to the 1960s – was a special series specifically modified by Carroll Shelby’s company. Starting this year, 2007 and 2008 Shelby GT500 Mustangs could be sent to Carroll Shelby’s Special Performance Plant in Las Vegas to be rebuilt into a “Super Snake” for an additional cost.
Sims is on the “Super Snake” list but he’s not certain he will follow through, explaining that 1,000 car owners have or will be invited but only four cars have been completed.
No matter, as Sims is well pleased with the car as it is and has enjoyed the new ride.
“This is the first time I’ve bought a car that has exceeded my expectations.”
On occasion, Sims has allowed his children to take the GT500 on a spin. “Right after I got the car, we took it to Dallas for the Thanksgiving holidays. I picked up my middle son, John, at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. Of course he wanted to drive and for some reason I let him. Other family members were about 45 minutes ahead of us and of course we caught them in no time. He moved up behind at about 85 mph, put the car down into third gear and proceeded to fly pass them at a speed Ido not want to think about. He looked over at me and said, ‘Dad this is the best purchase you have ever made!’
“To be honest….I couldn’t agree with him more!”