AUTO INDUSTRY LEGEND BOB TASCA SR. DIES

Bob Tasca Sr., an automotive enthusiast, Ford dealer and drag racing innovator, passed away today, his family announced. Tasca Sr. was 83 years old.

An automotive businessman for more than 60 years, Tasca achieved fame as a record-setting automotive dealer and as an internationally-known designer of high-performance race cars. Tasca Sr. is credited with helping create the Ford Thunderbolt drag racing car, and bringing the Cobra Jet 428 engine to NHRA in the 1960s.

“Bob Tasca Sr. had three important aspects to his life—his family, his friends, and Ford Motor Company,” said his grandson, Bob Tasca III. “Those were the touch points in his life and for that we’re thankful. We are grateful and privileged to have had so many years with him, and it’s hard to say goodbye.

“My grandfather has touched so many and he will live forever in the hearts of people around the world. It was his time to move on. I think he held on and fought the fight for as long as he could fight it, but clearly his passing doesn’t mark the end of the impact and influence that he’ll have on this world, that’s for sure.”

Tasca Sr. started his long relationship with Ford Motor Company on May 5, 1943, while working at a dealership. In 1953, Tasca acquired his first dealership in Bristol, R.I., and attributed his success to two elements—knowing cars and taking care of the customer.

After a hurricane destroyed his Bristol dealership, Tasca moved to East Providence, R.I., at the famous 777 Taunton Avenue address. While in East Providence, Tasca Sr. developed a friendship Carroll Shelby and became the first person to help Shelby assemble the Cobra. The two automotive legends maintained a lifelong friendship.

Tasca Sr. became a Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury dealer in Seekonk, Mass., in 1971. Under his guidance, Tasca Ford acquired a Volvo dealership in Seekonk in 2001 and built its Cranston, R.I., dealership in 2002. Several years ago, the Tasca family purchased an adjacent property that now serves as its wholesale outlet, body shop and truck center.

Tasca Sr. and his Rhode Island dealership team created their own engine, the Cobra Jet 428, from parts found in the Ford service parts catalog. Tasca’s Mustang Cobra Jet race cars were often taken to the drag strip where they defeated the competition, creating a demand for the Cobra Jet 428.

While dominating on the race track, Tasca Sr. coined the phrase, “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday,” because that was exactly what he did. Tasca Sr.’s dealership modified Mustangs on Sunday, won races, and sold those same cars in his dealership on Monday.

Tasca Sr. is also credited with helping make Ford products better than when they left the factory. His influence at Ford, as a quality consultant, resulted in years of Ford performance. Every one of Tasca Ford dealership’s vehicles was driven 200 miles by a Tasca before it was delivered to a customer as part of Tasca’s “de-bugging” plan. Tasca Sr. was also instrumental in the advent of short-term leasing, which made automobiles affordable throughout the world.

Tasca Sr. developed a tight bond with Henry Ford II during the 1940s and two men held mutual respect for each other as automotive pioneers. Ford II viewed Tasca Sr. as one of his most trusted advisors in the automotive industry.

He also wrote a well-known book in 1996 on customer service, “You Will Be Satisfied,” which remains the slogan of Tasca’s dealerships today.

Ford Motor Company asked Tasca Sr. to train more than 150,000 Ford employees and dealers, and he was the key force behind the Quality is Job 1 initiative. In his life, Tasca affected an entire generation of products and sales techniques from his dealership in Rhode Island.

“I want to thank all of his friends through these last couple of years,” said Tasca III. “He’s had some health issues and we’re so grateful for the network of people that really become part of our family and we want to thank them for their support and prayers. Many people from Ford Motor Company and the NHRA series loved being around my grandfather, and I know he loved being around them. We’re grateful for all of the support and friendship that we’ve built, and just want everyone to know that Grandpa is in a better place right now.”

FORD RACING LEGENDS LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THEIR HANDS ON THE NEW 2010 FORD MUSTANG

Image via WikipediaThe Ford Mustang was established as an icon more than 40 years ago as both a production and race car. Today, the Mustang reigns supreme on the streets and race tracks with the introduction of the 2010 model.
Nearly a month after the original Mustang was introduced it debuted as a pace car for the 1964 Indianapolis 500. The following year, the Mustang competed in its first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) event. Since that racing debut in 1965, the Mustang has made legends out of drivers such as Carroll Shelby, John Force and Parnelli Jones, while crafting its own motorsports legacy.
To introduce the 2010 Mustang, racing legends Carroll Shelby, John Force, Jack Roush, Lyn St. James, Parnelli Jones and Joe DaSilva participated in a sneak peek reveal on the eve of the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
“The 2010 Mustang is sleek and it still has that Mustang look on the outside, and the inside is incredible,” said legendary drag racer, John Force. “There were sports car people from around the world at the unveiling, and to see their response to the new model was special. If you asked me to describe the event in one word I would simply say is was big!
“It was exciting to be a part of the 2010 Mustang kick-off event,” said the 14-time NHRA champion. “To be included with the other legends of Ford Racing was incredible. When I saw the passion from Mark Fields and Jim Farley with Ford along with the excitement from the audience that was there, I knew I was seeing something special.”
With styling cues from the Mustang Bullitt, and other features inspired by current Ford Racing vehicles, many of the words that came up as the Ford Racing stars did their own walk-around the new Mustang, were powerful, stylish, performance, great design, and aggressive. The vehicle maintains its sleek retro look with a modern twist.
“Ford and particular Mustang was a great part of my history and development and success in racing, and I was proud to share the stage with some real Ford Mustang legends and showcase Ford’s new model,” said St. James, the 1992 Indianapolis 500 Rookie-of-the-Year. “Ford wasn’t afraid to demonstrate the performance and power of the car and the aggressiveness that car represents during the event. And that’s smart because people want to drive fast sexy cars; there’s a big market out there for the Mustang.
“As far as the new model, a lot of the refinements were in the interior, which I think is really important,” continued St. James. “I’ve spent a lot of time as a test driver for Ford where the focus was on performance and suspension, but it was nice to see them also focus on the inside of the car. That’s what you see as a driver everyday. The exterior has to catch your eye to want to look at a car, the performance has to make you want to drive it, but the interior points are really important. And I think they nailed it.”
For DaSilva, the 2000 National Mustang Racing Association (NMRA) World Champion, being in the same room as so many people that have experienced racing success in a Mustang and have also contributed so much to building the Mustang brand, was just as exciting as seeing the new 2010 model up close.
“It was a honor to be a part of such a big event for Ford and help them to show off the new Mustang,” said DaSilva. “With so many big names and drivers all assembled in one room; it might never happen again and I was glad to be a part of the program. My first impression of the new Mustang is, ‘I want to buy this car!’ I like the new sleek design while still keeping the retro exterior appearance. That also goes for the interior design of the Mustang and the changes that they made. They focused on both the outside and inside and the result was amazing. I have personally owned over 140 mustangs from ’79 -‘05 throughout the last 20 years, and I will definitely be ordering a 2010 Mustang GT.”