Featured: This Mustang Had to Cross the Pond to go Racing

This Mustang Had to Cross the Pond to go Racing

By Petrolicious
April 8, 2014

Photography by Peter Aylward

This Mustang has followed a long, meandering path to find its current owner and custodian, Mr. David Clifford. It came to the UK by way of Mr. Graham Milsome, who enlisted the help of his ‘Uncle’ Jim Griffin, an old racer from California, to find a suitable Mustang. The favorable exchange rate didn’t hurt either.

Jim found this car, which had been in the Walneuski family’s ownership all its life. Apparently, Grandpa Walneuski gave it to his grandson for his sixteenth birthday and was heartbroken to hear that the youngster really wanted a Honda with a big stereo. Grandpa Walneuski was so distraught that he sold the Mustang to Jim for Graham to collect, as he couldn’t stand having the Mustang unappreciated by his grandson. The car was promptly resprayed and fitted with new hoses and tyres, then taken on a tour of the United States’ west coast before returning with the car to the UK in 1999. From the beginning, the car was Aqua Blue with a blue interior and the body was in extraordinarily good condition with no corrosion and great panel fit.

Graham’s plan was to restore the car to concourse condition and up rate the engine as he and his wife had no children and the prospect seemed unlikely. Construction began on a garage to house the car, but the Mustang never saw its purpose-built home as his wife informed him that they were now expecting. The car was promptly advertised in the back of the Mustang Owners Club magazine and bought by Steve Warrier, who set about race preparation and with the help of John Freeman built the car as it sits today.

The Mustang was then bought by Mr. Robert Cleverly in 2005 and he raced it with Rowan Atkinson (yes, Mr. Bean) at Goodwood. After exchanging hands once more, Mr. Peter Bradfield bought it in June 2009 and raced the car at a number of events including the Pomeroy Trophy, Tour Auto and Silverstone International Trophy meeting in 2010. But the car has primarily been campaigned in the Spa 6hr beginning in 2009, and finishing in all events.

Remember the current owner, David? Well he was looking for a race car in 2013 and enlisted the help of his friend Mr. Patrick Blakeney-Edwards who runs Blakeney Motorsport. David mentioned that was looking for a solid Ford Mustang and Patrick replied that he knew someone, but that he didn’t think the car was for sale. Following a test drive at the Silverstone Classic media day and a lengthy chat with Peter, I became the latest custodian of this excellent vehicle, with a gentleman’s agreement that Peter would be one of the co-drivers at the 2013 Spa six-hour race.

Since then the car has also run the Brands Hatch Classic Festival, Silverstone Classic, Mission Motorsports V8 track day and AC Owners club spring, all at Goodwood. More recently the car has run and completed the Pomeroy Trophy and has been entered for 2014 Brands Hatch Classic Festival, 2014 Silverstone Classic and 2014 Spa 6hr.

If you’d like to see more of Mr. Peter Aylward’s photography, click here for his personal site. We’d also like to thank Mr. Peter Bradfield for his contribution.

Join the Conversation
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
8 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Honda oto Long Bien
Honda oto Long Bien
6 years ago

bang gia xe oto Honda 2017 moi tai dai ly xe Honda oto Long Bien
http://www.hondaotolongbien.org

daily ford hcm
daily ford hcm
7 years ago

http://dailyfordhcm.net/
bang gia xe oto Ford 2017 moi tai dai ly xe Ford HCM

Xe Chevrolet Aveo
Xe Chevrolet Aveo
7 years ago

Thanks your review Ford Mustang the car was Aqua Blue with a blue interior and the body was in extraordinarily good condition with no corrosion and great panel fit. http://www.chevrolethathanh.org/chevrolet-aveo

samesame
samesame
10 years ago

Wow, the car sure does look different without photoshop though.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/99229870@N04/9536090169/

Antony Ingram
Antony Ingram
10 years ago

Fantastic photography. Kudos on the interior shot too, always good to see the driver’s environment.

As for the Honda vs Mustang decision, I can understand the appeal of small, sporty Hondas, but I can’t believe I’d ever make the decision to choose one if the opportunity to own a Mustang came up. That kid needs his priorities straightened out! (To be fair, he’ll probably regret his decision at some point…)

Laurent Nivalle
10 years ago

Great pictures Peter !! Fist time I see real great vintage colors 🙂

Dustin Rittle
Dustin Rittle
10 years ago

Honda with a big stereo does sum up alot about the current generation don’t it :)(joke). Well its nice to the ole Mustang being taken care of and enjoyed. I must admit i was never really the biggest fan of Mustangs growing up but seeing this one in its pretty blue paint job as it hustle itself down the track is definitely a pretty sight. Then again i do enjoy seeing mostly any classic car fly down the race tack.

Petrolicious Newsletter