The Youngs picked up the car on June 27, 2007. It was their first visit to Bowling Green, and sadly Cliff’s last. The couple had planned on visiting April 2014, but Cliff experienced major health complications from Agent Orange – an exposure that occurred while serving in Vietnam – and passed on January 28, 2014 at the age of 68.
“While the Museum is in our wills, Cliff didn’t specifically list the car but I felt donating it was the most appropriate thing,” said Sally. “He was always so impressed with how the Museum is run, I know he would be pleased with its new home.” Sally was excited to hear that the car would be used for Parade Laps and other activities at the Museum’s new Motorsports Park. The Youngs had already stepped up and supported the Park by joining the One Acre Club, donating funds for a purchase of one acre of land for the track.
“While Cliff enjoyed taking his car to the track, he didn’t race it,” said Sally. “Cliff’s friend Mike Pettiford operates Go 4 It Racing Schools, and Cliff would attend and help out with the classes. Mike would host special corporate events so Cliff would bring his car to use for instruction purposes and to enjoy an occasional drive around the track,” added Sally. “Cliff also belonged to SCCA and would do flagging at races.”
While Cliff’s day job prior to retirement had been as a systems analyst, he was also a pilot, a flight instructor, scuba diver, parachutist, ham radio operator, and spelunker, and even spent over 30 years planning and designing his and Sally’s dream home. “He was very gifted in electrical, plumbing and construction,” Sally noted. “He lived a very full life.”
Indeed he did, and his legacy will continue through every enthusiast who steps foot for a ride in Cliff’s 2007 LeMans Blue Z06.
