MAA People: Tony Sousa and his Shelbys 1950 - 2005

By Sam Haymart

Tony Sousa was a long time Mustang and Shelby enthusiast, an owner '65 GT-350 which is restored to perfection. The car was displayed at many car shows and SAAC events. Lately the Shelby had even been chosen by Ford Motor Company to appear in some of their displays in Michigan. Over the years he owned other Shelby Mustangs including a '69 GT-350 and a GT-500. An active member of SAAC since 1976, he had been in the scene since the first act. Making him unique is the fact that he believes his cars should be driven, not hoarded in a garage. The '65 Shelby has made cross country trips on several occasions. Well aware of the blessing of owning these cars, Tony had been known to cheerfully share the experience with his friends, allowing them to take the cars for a spin once in a while. Recently he aquired his dream car, a brand new genuine Shelby FIA Cobra 289 buiilt precisely to his specs. His daily driver was of course a '95 Mustang GT.

Tony had been a coordinator with Mustangs Across America since the first event in 1994. He called Sam Haymart in the early days, offering welcome help and advice. When an Australian enthusiast inquired if there was anyone they could ride with on the cross-country trek, Tony was one of the first to volunteer. On the trip it was common to see Tony in the passenger seat smiling wide as the crazy Aussie was blasting down the interstate behind the wheel of the Shelby. He was instrumental in the 1996 and 2004 MAA events, organizing and heading up many of the activities including the tour of the Dearborn Assembly Plant and a dinner banquet evening with Ford. The plant tour was a major coup at the time as Ford just didn't do that. He was persistent, persuasive and massaged the right people to make it happen where others had given up. Tony will continue to be an inspiration here at MAA.

Living in southern California, Tony was a real life crime fighter as a deputy district attorney in Los Angeles. His work was very important to him and he was good at it. Hed' share a brief courtroom drama once in a while though he would rather talk Mustangs more often than not.

Tony passed away in early January, 2005. He will be greatly missed by the many multitudes of friends he has made in the Mustang Enthusiast Community.

More: Tony Sousa's '65 Shelby GT-350 1994 Article in Mustangs Monthly by Jerry Pitt.