1964, Race #8 Bardahl Special was flown by Korean ace Bob Love in the pylon racing and by owner Chuck Lyford in the transcontinental racing of the first Reno National Air Races, then held at Sky Ranch. With a Dwight Thorn tuned highly modified RollsRoyce Merlin V12 engine putting out a purported 3400hp at 110 inches it was far faster than any of the primarily stock competition. In the first Unlimited heat it averaged 386 mph with the next closest plane at 341 mph and a fastest lap of 405 mph. In this heat unfortunately Love cut two pylons due to his poor eyesight. This would end up costing the team first place in the championship race due to a hydroplane totalpoints system even though they placed first in the final race.

In 1965 there were multiple National Air Races held across the country. The Bardahl Special managed to win at Fox Field in Lancaster with light competition and at Boulder Field in Las Vegas that served as the rematch for their secondplace outing at Reno against the victor of that race Darryl Greenamyer and his Grumman Bearcat. Particularly of note is that despite leading through the first three laps of the Reno Gold race Chuck in Race #8 went for what he described was a little too early on the nitrous. This resulted in a collapsed scoop that cost him first place. In Las Vegas the roles were reversed, coming through the last few laps of the championship it was the Bearcat that attempted a similar trick that would cost him the first place trophy to Lyford. So as far as I am concerned the Mustang was faster in both races to the Bearcat and nitrous is a dangerous game.

The Bardahl Special would not be seen for the next 56 years after last racing in 1967 until its reentry into Unlimited Air Racing in 2022 as Race #3 flown by Steve Coutches. Here it is seen in a complete gloss white vinyl wrap with a cleverly designed 3 to bring the overall appearance as accurate to its debut appearance as possible. In 2022 it was raced with a stock motor.

Credit for thumbnail photo:
Don "Bucky" Dawson 2022 copyright
Credit for additional video:
Reno Air Racing Association Livestream
fsxar177 (Davidson Films)
Groundhog11ish