Driving Line VOLUME V ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2019 | Page 27

Thirty-five years since her first race, and she’s still at it today. Now
she’s got a ton of experience under her belt and a much better car.
“Once I started racing, I always had some sort of race car. I’m really
into wheel-to-wheel competitions, and I’ve always loved the Daytona
Coupe and its history. They’re made of unobtainium, but I really wanted
one, so I went to Factory Five for their Type 65 Coupe.”
Her car is primarily used for racing, but it’s still legal on the street.
It’s equipped with a ’17 Ford Coyote 5.0 under the hood with 435hp at
the crank with period-correct side pipes. “We tested it on a dyno with
modern exhaust; while the side pipes look cool, they cost me about
70hp,” Salvaggio said. Behind the 5.0 is a stock-ratio T56 six-speed
transmission with 3.73 gear Torsen differential in the rear with a ’15
Mustang GT independent rear suspension. The total weight of the car
is about 2,800 pounds.
With racing in mind, the car needed a competition tire that
complemented its other high-performance parts. After careful consideration,
she decided on a set of Nitto NT01 tires for their excellent traction and
consistency characteristics, with a pair of 275/35R18s in the front and
305/35R18s in the rear. Nestled within the meaty Nitto tires are Halibrand
replica rims that complement the nostalgic exterior of the car. Wilwood
brakes provide stopping power with six-piston calipers in the front and
four-piston units servicing the rear wheels. Coilover Koni shocks grace
all four corners of the car.
What does the future hold for Salvaggio? Look for her competing in
future wheel-to-wheel West Coast vintage racing. As the interview ended,
she had some words to share: “Cars are good for people. You can run
on the track or turn a street car into a racer and put it on the track. I’m
all about the comradery and encourage people to get involved. If you
want to be a racer, just go do it. If you’re friendly and excited, racers
will help you out.”
CAR STORIES ARE THE BEST STORIES
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