Like Father Like Son: Wahlert Inherits Dad’s Love of Vehicles

Daniel Wahlert always enjoyed driving his late father’s 1966 Shelby GT350.

And now he has his own … that he recently purchased from Runde Ford in Manchester, IA.

Jim Wahlert

Yes, Daniel recently bought one of his dream cars — a 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 – the same car as his dad’s ’66, just 50 years newer.

Dan used to work as a service consultant at Runde Chevrolet in East Dubuque.  He now works for Joe Hesselman over at Autolink in Dubuque.  Daniel’s love of vehicles was inherited from his dad. Jim Wahlert was an avid local classic car collector.

“Out of all the cars he had, the ’66 Shelby GT350 is my favorite to drive,” Daniel said.

The 1966 Shelby has a Holman Moody engine with 356 horsepower and dual 4 BBL carburetors. Jim bought it in August of 1978 and had it restored 19 years ago, when Daniel was 12 years old.

Daniel ordered his Shelby from Runde Ford to match his father’s – white with blue stripes. Its 5.2L V-8 engine produces 526 horsepower, 429 lb-ft of torque, and goes from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

“It’s amazing how far the technology in the vehicle has come in 50 years,” he said.  

With a red line of 8,250 rpm, it is Ford’s highest-revving production V-8 engine yet.  Granted the car wasn’t meant to rule the roost out at the Tri-State Raceway in Earlville, but it’ll still pin you firmly against your seat back every time you summon those 429 foot pounds of torque.

Daniel’s 8-year-old daughter, Adeline, isn’t quite as fond of the Shelby.

“She said ‘It’s too fast and too loud,’” Daniel said, laughing. “Those are the reasons I bought the car in the first place!”