~The Calgary Sun
Calgary Sun Image taken at World of Wheels (August 2010)
The former chariot of Calgary wrestling royalty will be handed down to its next generation at this weekend’s World of Wheels.
After more than two decades in storage, a 1966 candy apple red Ford Mustang that was driven by both wrestling legend Stu Hart and his deceased son Owen Hart, has been restored to its original glory and will stay in the family, going to Owen’s son, Oje, just as he turns 18.
Martha Hart, wife of the late wrestler who died during a stunt at a televised event in 1999, contracted local vehicle restorers Street Heat Inc. to resurrect the classic car for her son, which will remain a part of the Hart legacy.
“It’s kind of like the passing of the torch,” she said.
“I think (Owen) would be in tears to see this and I think he’d be very pleased to hand it down.”
The Mustang, which will be one of the centerpieces of the World of Wheels show at the Calgary Stampede’s BMO Centre, will also be used to entice show-goers to donate to the Owen Hart Foundation, which raises funds for worthy causes including a scholarship fund and housing program.
Martha said the muscle car, which was purchased by Stu in 1983 and given to Owen a year later, was responsible for a trunk load of warm — and not so warm — memories.
“I can’t tell you how many times we ran out of gas in that car,” she said, with a laugh.
“There was also no defrost in the car so often we’d be driving sticking our heads out of the windows.”
The two-door hard top features a rebuilt 200-horsepower V8 engine, tinted glass and original factory upholstery on the seats as well as some contemporary upgrades.
