May 29 2021

Updated: VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The one-of-a-kind 1962 Holman Moody Challenger III is headed to the Waterfront at Roslyn Garage


I am pleased to announce that another historic unique automobile has been added to my collection- the 1962 Holman Moody Challenger III  commissioned by Ford.

Here is a brief background on the Challenger III with a lot more details to follow in future posts.

Enjoy,

Howard Kroplick



Recent Photos of Challenger III


Holman and Moody

The Challenger III with Ralph Moody and John Holman before it was shown at the New York Auto Show. Courtesy of Holmanmoody.com.


Background

In December 2020, racing fan and blogger Michael Lempert of Rochester, New York won a tour of my automobile collection offered by the Ward Melville Heritage Organization. Soon after, Michael and I made contact to discuss the future trip to Roslyn. He also informed me that he was researching a Holman and Moody automobile  which appeared on the Ford Custom Car Caravan from 1964 to 1965 with the Mustang III and at the Henry Ford Museum in 1966.

I  recognized the automobile and provided Michael with the below images of the Challenger III and this 2015 VanderbiltCupRaces.com link The Kings of the Ford Custom Car Caravan.

Challenger III on the Ford Custom Car Caravan

The Ford Falcon Challenger III (left) and Mustang III (right)

The Challenger III at the 1966 Sportscars in Review at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan.

On January 25, 2021, Michael posted this comprehensive article on the Challenger III Fast-Backward: The Ford Falcon Challenger III on his The Anachronist website.

In the article Michael concluded: "Challenger III is for sale, requiring re-assembly before returning to either the show circuit or to motorsports at events like Goodwood or historic LeMans with a fully documented FIA history. It would be extraordinary to see this car returned to life powering around the likes of Watkins Glen between Ferraris and Corvettes, a testament to the ingenuity of Holman-Moody and to Ford’s contribution to international motorsports."

As of last week, I am the new proud owner of the Challenger III. After making a restoration stop at Rob Ida's shop in New Jersey, I expect the Challenger III to rejoin the Mustang III  at the Waterfront at Roslyn collection in the fall. 



Comments

May 30 2021 Sharon Mandel 8:00 AM

Congratulations on your latest acquisition.  Looks like a real beauty.

May 30 2021 Mark B. Thomas 8:27 AM

Howard, congrats on this purchase and historical car…  I’m looking forward to seeing it with your collection.

Regards, Mark

May 30 2021 Gerry Duff 8:28 AM

Congratulations on finding the Falcon Howard.  Another piece of Ford history finds it’s way to your garage.  Very interesting story my friend.
Gerry Duff

May 30 2021 Mark Schaier 9:16 AM

Howard congratulation on your new addition to historical collection! Now in your Marketplace #2 a very nice garage in Port Washington is for sale, A nice loving home for your ever expanding collectables, ‘THE NEW BLACK BEAST GARAGE’???

May 30 2021 mike carroll 9:21 AM

The perfect companion to the Mustang,  Really nice addition to your Ford collection.
Mike

May 30 2021 Andy Zizolfo 9:37 AM

Howard, Another great find added to your collection. Looking forward to seeing it at one of the shows.
Andy

May 30 2021 Greg O. 10:14 AM

Congrats Howard! I think you’ll be needing to expand the garage!

May 30 2021 JeRita 11:24 AM

Howard congratulations on your new acquisition Hope to see you and it soon JeRita

May 30 2021 ROGER A. PRICE 11:25 AM

Mazel tov Howard.  I’ve never seen that car.  Looks like a beauty.  How are the mechanicals?  Looking forward to seeing it.
All the best.
Rog

May 30 2021 Brian McHale 1:38 PM

Congratulations, it will be great to see these 2 together.

May 30 2021 Ernie Finamore 5:51 PM

It was nice meeting up with you and Roz at the Roebling Museum “Shifting Gears” exhibit in Stonybrook a week or so ago. When you told me of the Falcon Challenger III, I was very excited, being the FORD guy that I am! Congratulations on another great acquisition for your collection, and the perfect stablemate for the Mustang III !
Looking forward to some more automotive events this summer. I will be vending at the Eddie Sachs Memorial slot car show being held in the America on Wheels Museum in Allentown, PA this coming Saturday, June 5th. Hope to see some Long Islanders at this great museum… I’ve been looking for the perfect excuse to go back since my last visit in 2019!
Again, congratulations upon completing the deal for this very special Falcon.
I can’t wait to see it! - Ernie :>)

May 30 2021 Steve Lucas 7:49 PM

Congratulations on another fantastic acquisition. Can’t wait to see it up close later this year.

May 30 2021 Scott & Vicki Alexander 11:29 PM

Congratulations on your acquisition of another historic find. Your vision to find preserve, display and run these automobiles that exhibit such unique designs, engineering and history are a testament to your commitment to the hobby and the preservation and education of us all whom enjoy it with you.

May 31 2021 Michael Cain 10:34 AM

Congratulations Howard on the new addition to your collection of historically significant cars. Looking forward to seeing it when you are ready to put it on display!

Jun 01 2021 Mark Schaier 4:05 AM

Howard at the Greenwich Concours d’Elgance Sat. June 4 2016 with the Mustang III, he needs a new blue version of this shirt and cap for his new Mustang Challenger III.

image
Jun 01 2021 Mark Schaier 4:27 AM

CORRECTION: Ford Falcon Challenger III

Jun 02 2021 Joseph DeBono 5:22 AM

Congratulations nice car

Jun 04 2021 Ted Reina 4:28 PM

Howard!! What a car, only if I could see it live and up close, it’s the best of the best, but they all are and another 1of1 too. Next is to get that garage and proudly display and show them off, don’t you think so? As you can see I’m trying to keep up with you,I try to read the mysteries, but don’t have the time to answer. I made the time for this. It was a big event for you and I had to share it with you.  Take care and be safe, Ted
____________________________________________
Thanks Ted! Great to hear from you! Howard

Jun 09 2021 Tom 7:35 PM

Always room for more,,,enjoy!

Aug 01 2021 jerry clemmons 7:38 AM

Howard
Contact me concerning the Challenger Falcon. I have some more photos of the car from an interview with Kim Haynes who was restoring it several years ago here in North Carolina. I did the interview at his shop.
I also interviewed and wrote a story on Marvin Panch, who remembered racing the car.
I still have those stories in my archives. Also think I have original PDF layouts used in our magazine.

Jerry Clemmons
Editor Members’ Parade
Hornets Nest Region AACA
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
704 214 0249

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