[Ron Ortiz]

Purchased a 1968 1/2 in Viet Nam, had delivered to Miami, FL for pick up. It was midnight metallic blue. The '68 1/2 were slightly different in the tail lights. Had a 383 Sure Grip 3:23.
Had a friend who weighed about 300 lbs and worked at Miami Hollywood Speedway. He took me out and showed me how to shift and introduced me to drag racing. I thought he was going to rip the shifter out of the floor with his bang shifts, thought that was really cool.
The motor must have been one of the first off the assembly line as it was way quicker than any of the RR I ran Best time was a 14.03. Managed to acquire 3 speeding tickets the first month I owned it.
Entered my first race, the East Coast Winternationals and won the Eliminator running F/Pure Stock. Now I hooked. Had a six foot trophy riding in the front seat on the way home. This Mustang pulls up next to me and like an idiot I had to show what I had. Blew him off the line as he turned left down the road a piece and I noticed the blue lights behind me for ticket #4. Have not street raced since.

Put a giant hood scoop on it painted in multi colored snake skin. Won a buch of local races and then ended up working at the track also. Sold the car for a motorcycle.

Now I own a station wagon as it is convenient to haul around friends in the pits.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA and I'm still going 14's