autoevolution 25 May 2021, 14:41 UTC ·
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The Mustang GT350 is a competent piece of American V8 technology, but people don t expect it to keep up with an Italian supercar. But Ferrari was even more of a dominant force in the road racing scene back in the 1950s, yet this custom-built roadster managed to put up a fight and became an underdog hero in the process.
Road racing was the thing to do in the 1950s. NASCAR was young, so if you wanted to make a name for yourself, you had to do it on the road. Imports like Maserati and Ferrari dominated the scene in America, with a few British lightweights occasionally challenging them.
A Celebrity Rolls into the Shop
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Local racing historian and driver Ernie Nagamatsu will be the special guest on an episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” the talk show host’s popular program geared toward auto enthusaists.
Featured will be Nagamatsu’s legendary 1959 “Old Yeller II” Buick Special. The program will be available via YouTube starting May 17.
Nagamatsu had words of praise for Leno, who issued an apology for jokes made earlier in his career at the expense of Asians.
“Jay Leno is a most considerate, noted personality and always makes people feel important,” Nagamatsu wrote. “His apology to the Asian community was sincere from my POV.”