When new, Carol's Mustang was your average C-code 289 automatic hardtop clad in Lime Gold Metallic with black standard interior. It was the proverbial school teacher car with optional black vinyl top, air conditioning, power steering, and wheel covers. As a busy educator in the late 1960s, Carol drove her Mustang an average of 30,000 miles a year.
The original 289 expired at 225,000 miles when the radiator and water pump failed simultaneously, causing the engine to overheat. After rebuilding, the 289 went another 113,718 miles before it spun a bearing. Peterson Machine replaced it with fresh 289. At 508,536 miles, Bailey Brothers in Vallejo rebuilt the replacement engine when it lost a cylinder. That engine now has over 300,000 miles on it.
The 8-inch rear axle with 2.79:1 gears has never been touched.
Over the 43 years, the Mustang has had three engine overhauls, two transmission overhauls and five paint jobs.
And then one god damn teenage rear ended it, and it's now probably beyond repair... it's certainly beyond a fixed income senior citizen's ability, but there is a Go Fund Me set up in hopes philanthropy will move someone to give generously https://www.gofundme.com/save-carols-850000-mile-mustang
https://www.dailyrepublic.com/solano-news/fairfield/800000-miles-later-mustang-and-fairfield-woman-still-best-friends/
http://www.mustangandfords.com/featured-vehicles/1308-1968-ford-mustang-best-friends/
This really pulls at the heart strings, at least for me. I will try to give what I can, but it will be a miracle to save this old pony. Skip Foss where are you? Damn, so sad.
ReplyDeleteMe too, and all I can do is spread the word. I don't even know if that gofundme is still running... but when all you can do is tell the story, then telling it well is what I've tried
DeleteI've seen far worse cars restored, more valuable perhaps but compared to what?
ReplyDeleteSo what if it costs more to fix than it would sell for, that happens with most restorations. I see at least 50 % of body and 80 % of mechanical parts remaining after repairs. I would personally not be afraid to do it.
You missed the part where it costs so much money to fix this car, and that no one has the money. Yes, worse off cars have been fixed, I posted a BMW getting repaired just a couple months ago, it was amazing. But all that frame repair, and body work the old fashioned way is so very expensive, that only rich people can afford to have expensive cars done that way. Insurance won't pay for it. So, since this lady on social security is broke, and the insurance won't cover it, there's nothing to be done but commiserate. The matter of what it will sell for is the most irrelevant aspect that could be, as THIS Mustang clearly would never leave this owner
DeleteMy cousin's son had a 1960s Mustang he'd had since high school, (He's in his 30s now) and a couple years ago some kids stole it and totaled it. He's a youth pastor and doesn't make much. However, last year for his birthday his friends and family had all pitched in a got him another Mustang. On his Facebook page there's video of the surprise gift. It's pretty cool.
ReplyDeletethat sucks that his high school car got stolen and smashed.. damn. You can't get back those high school mementos (the car memories) once that car is forcefully pulled out of your life. Glad they got together and got him another. Last year I posted that my cousin's son has given a late 60s Mustang by his wife, it was cherry, and within 2 months some moron ran into the back of it and it's totalled
DeleteWell to be fair, that teenager was probably sending a very important text heading off WW III, a zombie invasion, or getting laid. #@%*&$@3!
ReplyDeleteJesse, if I may, a correction please. I meant to write; "CHIP Foss", not Skip. All red faced here.
ReplyDeletewell... I don't know him, and doubt he reads the comments here anyway
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