I just read the exact text in Mr. Alan Manns book "Live of Chance" and he noticed that it was a "Hood release cable" they use (re-routed) to select the reverse gear handle on the transmission (because of an incorrect (3-speed?) shifter mechanism).
Does the first Pilot cars has a hood release handel???
This fact was not know to me.
Bytheway: It is more plausible that the Alan Mann pilot car is used by Pius Zund for 2 races. Sorry that I'm not allowed to post the images with details. I did find them here:
https://purl.stanford.edu/hz678mk1243 and
https://purl.stanford.edu/wv531kc6444Please Google on Pius Zund Mustang and more images of the Red Mustang will appear.
Maybe specialists on this forum can check if you see details which proof that this Pius Zund Mustang is indeed the pilot car (I already noted the Black dashpad/red interiour combination(!) and the coloured door knobs)?
I look forward to your comments.
Jan Alsemgeest