[clobato]

What’s up? I’m sort of a new guy around here.

I originally joined up back in late 2016 with the hopes of scooping up a 2010-2012, but life happened and changed those plans. Fast forward up to September 2022, when I experienced every parents’ worst nightmare and I lost my 10 year old son. He was my best friend and biggest car buddy. He and I always dreamed about getting another car and I took him on several test drives throughout the years and he just loved cars. On 9/14, he and I were glued to the 7th gen unveiling and he fell in love with the Dark Horse. He and I spent the next few days drooling over the car, but then he passed on the 18th. In the wake of his death, several people sent me models of the GT500 and I took that as a sign that I needed a ‘20+ GT500 to honor my “Little Buddy”.

I ended up finding a Twister Orange 2020 base car on CarMax on the morning of 10/31. I took it as fate that I found an orange car on Halloween. Like any kid, my son loved Halloween and he was drawn to everything loud and obnoxious. I worked out the deal to get it shipped into a local store and in a long two weeks later it was here.

On 11/12, I took this bad boy home. It’s definitely a dream come true and an amazing car. Every time I fire it up, I can feel my son giggling with me.

I’ve been lurking the last few months trying to learn everything I can. You’re all great and a huge help.

Sorry for the long post!

 

[Onelfastlride]

Congrats on the GT500! Sorry for your loss. I'm sure your son is riding right along with you every time you take that car out.

 

[PaulH2U]

WELCOME and Congrats on the GT500! So sorry to hear of your tragic loss. Hopefully the car will bring you some joy and positive memories of your son.

 

[1 Alibi 2]

Welcome back.
Have faith in the fact that your son has gone to a better place..

 

[BassandShelbys]

Love your car and so sorry for your loss. May your son’s memories travel with you forever

 

[Xpro]

What’s up? I’m sort of a new guy around here.

I originally joined up back in late 2016 with the hopes of scooping up a 2010-2012, but life happened and changed those plans. Fast forward up to September 2022, when I experienced every parents’ worst nightmare and I lost my 10 year old son. He was my best friend and biggest car buddy. He and I always dreamed about getting another car and I took him on several test drives throughout the years and he just loved cars. On 9/14, he and I were glued to the 7th gen unveiling and he fell in love with the Dark Horse. He and I spent the next few days drooling over the car, but then he passed on the 18th. In the wake of his death, several people sent me models of the GT500 and I took that as a sign that I needed a ‘20+ GT500 to honor my “Little Buddy”.

I ended up finding a Twister Orange 2020 base car on CarMax on the morning of 10/31. I took it as fate that I found an orange car on Halloween. Like any kid, my son loved Halloween and he was drawn to everything loud and obnoxious. I worked out the deal to get it shipped into a local store and in a long two weeks later it was here.

On 11/12, I took this bad boy home. It’s definitely a dream come true and an amazing car. Every time I fire it up, I can feel my son giggling with me.

I’ve been lurking the last few months trying to learn everything I can. You’re all great and a huge help.

Sorry for the long post!

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That’s a great looking car! Might be a little bias.

 

[JRF150]

Welcome back. So sorry to hear about your boy. Life is so precious and we take it for granted more often than not. I’m sure he’s smiling down on you and in a much happier place.

 

[AZ21GT500]

Chad so sorry for your loss. Glad you are part of our Shelby family. Congrats on the new GT500, I'm sure your co-pilot is always there for every ride.

 

[cyoung9799]

Chad, I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a child is something no one should ever have to endure. My wife and I feel your pain, and you're in our prayers.

That's a gorgeous Twister Orange Shelby. You chose well, but I may also be a little biased like @Xpro. Just imagine the smile on your son's face every time you push that start button. He's riding with you brother.

 

[clobato]

Thanks guys, the last few months have been pretty tough. But I know my son is with me and would definitely approve. We got a cruel reminder of how fragile life is and that you can’t take it for granted.

Now comes the fun part of modding and making it mine.

 

[Redbird41]

Welcome to the forum! That color should be called Tennessee Orange. Hope you enjoy every ride the two of you take!! Prayers to you and yours.

 

[cyoung9799]

Welcome to the forum! That color should be called Tennessee Orange. Hope you enjoy every ride the two of you take!! Prayers to you and yours.

Go Vols!!

 

[clobato]

I think you guys are mistaking, it’s Broncos Orange!

 

[rxsamg]

First & foremost my heart goes out to you for your family’s loss….my oldest started off (& kinda still is) my car buddy. Would you mind sharing his name and/or a picture? If it’s too personal to you, I completely understand.

I’m sure his inspiration is something you will feel every time you start up that Shelby. I would think he’d want you to enjoy it.

 

[Redbird41]

I joined the USMC in Arvada in 85. Lived in Highlands Ranch and Castle Pines North 99-09. Are all those license plates off cars you owned? If so, you got me beat by a minute! I have around 60 off my own vehicles. 10 or so from CO.

 

[clobato]

First & foremost my heart goes out to you for your family’s loss….my oldest started off (& kinda still is) my car buddy. Would you mind sharing his name and/or a picture? If it’s too personal to you, I completely understand.

I’m sure his inspiration is something you will feel every time you start up that Shelby. I would think he’d want you to enjoy it.

Thank you, I really appreciate that. Of course, his name was Austin Michael Lobato.

The first picture was his first trip to the Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup when he was almost a year old. I may have influenced his obsession slightly, but he loved Mustangs.

He loved camping and being outside.
he was the best big brother in the world. He’d do anything for his little sister.

He was a huge goofball and his one goal in life was to make people laugh and he succeeded every single day. For Halloween he was going to wear a hot dog costume and witch hat to be a wicked wiener.

He was super active and loved sports. His latest passion was football. The pictures here are from the day he passed. It was his last game and last touchdown. I couldn’t be more proud of that kid!

 

[clobato]

I joined the USMC in Arvada in 85. Lived in Highlands Ranch and Castle Pines North 99-09. Are all those license plates off cars you owned? If so, you got me beat by a minute! I have around 60 off my own vehicles. 10 or so from CO.

Nice! I’m a Colorado native born and raised. Been in Arvada my whole life.
Haha, no they aren’t all mine. I’ve had a total of about 26 cars. The rest of the plates are from friends and family. They all know I collect the plates and give me the old plates when the get something new.

 

[InPursuit]

AWESOME car, congrats. As with everyone, sorry for your loss.
Perhaps a prestige license plate to honor him? COPILOT?
Cheers to great memories and new ones.

 

[Goose17]

What’s up? I’m sort of a new guy around here.

I originally joined up back in late 2016 with the hopes of scooping up a 2010-2012, but life happened and changed those plans. Fast forward up to September 2022, when I experienced every parents’ worst nightmare and I lost my 10 year old son. He was my best friend and biggest car buddy. He and I always dreamed about getting another car and I took him on several test drives throughout the years and he just loved cars. On 9/14, he and I were glued to the 7th gen unveiling and he fell in love with the Dark Horse. He and I spent the next few days drooling over the car, but then he passed on the 18th. In the wake of his death, several people sent me models of the GT500 and I took that as a sign that I needed a ‘20+ GT500 to honor my “Little Buddy”.

I ended up finding a Twister Orange 2020 base car on CarMax on the morning of 10/31. I took it as fate that I found an orange car on Halloween. Like any kid, my son loved Halloween and he was drawn to everything loud and obnoxious. I worked out the deal to get it shipped into a local store and in a long two weeks later it was here.

On 11/12, I took this bad boy home. It’s definitely a dream come true and an amazing car. Every time I fire it up, I can feel my son giggling with me.

I’ve been lurking the last few months trying to learn everything I can. You’re all great and a huge help.

Sorry for the long post!

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Welcome Chad! You have an amazing car. Every time you mash the gas pedal, think of Austin’s approving smile! Boost IS therapy! 🤟

 

[clobato]

AWESOME car, congrats. As with everyone, sorry for your loss.
Perhaps a prestige license plate to honor him? COPILOT?
Cheers to great memories and new ones.

Thanks, I submitted my registration a couple weeks ago, and submitted to get LILBUDY to honor him.