Right? I wasn't expecting that. I have to say in my case it hurts on so many different levels, and Im sorting through each and every one.
First- I could barely afford a mustang in 05-06, but got a GT500 in 07. I went to a Shelby event, a Bullrun event and I was suddenly running a successful well known charity event, a regional director for a decade with Shelby, hung out at Le Mans with H3 and Aaron Shelby and many of you here...so I thought with all the work Ive done for Ford and Shelby, and all the people I have become friends with at the oval and Shelby, I'd have a really great shot.
Second- Since I missed out in 05-06, I have since done far better for myself and now in my 40s I finally just got to the point I could even afford this, but I didn;t apply the first go around because I couldn't swing 500k just two years ago, and if I got picked and declined, I figured that would bar me from future consideration. I guess that was amistake.
Third- My cousin owns Vintage Air here in San Antonio- I knew about this project back in 2014-2015, and had a long time to hope for it.
Fourth- I have a LOT of friends that got the Congrats letter. A LOT. Im happy for them, but I feel like my hard work and time towing the line for Ford is just time I was undervalued.
Fifth- Buying Raptors, Shelbys, hell- even a damn SHO at one point, dealerships holding on to these performance vehicles and making what should be a really great experience and fun way to spend my money is always a kick in the ass- and its almost like I gotta kiss ass just to buy a damn mustang or f-150...and I know a lot of that has to do with living in San Antonio where people come up from the south to buy a new vehicle and pay just whatever is on the windshield. I had a 50th anniversary sold out from under me from Jordan Ford, and many other local dealers are the same way- its a friggin chore to buy a Ford worth having...and I thought this might be the one experience I actually get to enjoy...
Sixth- and this is the worst- Hackett has cut the program. This WILL be the last year of the run and there will be no more allocations. Its not been announced, but I found out about a great many cuts at Barrett Jackson this year that are also upcoming- and its not just the GT....
I guess it has me second guessing why I even applied- I have so many great cars and trucks from Ford, and its almost a taint to them all now....I just walk around with a bad taste in my mouth.....just generally pissed.
The whole thing sucks.
You should see the response I sent back to Ford Concierge....if I had an opportunity to build a bridge, my emotions decided to just burn it instead.....and Im really an easy going non temper kind of guy.
I really don't know how Im going to move forward with my Ford relationship and loyalty. I mean- Im not spending 7 figures on this car, or any other for that matter, so I'll never sit my pudgy butt in one.
What difference does it make- Jamie Allison, Raj Nair, Mike Berardi, Robert Parker, Mark Fields, Steve Ling- all the great passionate guys at Ford I got to have the privilege of building a personal relationship with are all gone now, and its just us watching Ford cut program after program...
I know most of you guys have a relationship too, and this is probably the worst post I could start off with here as an introduction- but it wasn't the way I thought it would go. I wanted to be a part of this group so badly...