ICMC - Featured Car for May 2001

It all started 10 years ago, in 1991. I was driving a 1981 Toyota Tercel. Good transportation, but driving to Bellingham at {mumble} miles an hour every day didn’t help the little import. One day, on the way to work in Bellingham, the engine died. I didn’t even make it out of Oak Harbor, which is a good thing, because being broke down on the highway sucks.

I’ve always liked Mustangs, even when I was in school, and since I needed a car, I decided to get a Mustang. I checked all the local papers, and went to see a few cars, but most were in serious need of some TLC, or were way over-priced. I expanded my search to the Seattle area, and made a few trips with a friend. One weekend, I went to see a 1967 fastback at Lake Union. It needed some bondo and paint for sure, but I took it for a test drive. I decided against the fastback when I looked down at the pedals and could see asphalt through the floor pans.

We were on the way back to the Island and decided to stop at a Mustang parts store in Lynnwood (which is no longer there). On a bulletin board, I saw an ad for a 1968 coupe. The picture showed a gold coupe that appeared in good condition. I made a call from a payphone before heading to Edmonds to see the car. The Mustang looked well cared for. In fact, its owner also had a beautiful 1969 convertible Cougar and was (is?) a member of Mustangs Northwest.

We took the Mustang for a spin. It had a squeaky suspension and a few dings and blemishes, but otherwise it was in decent shape and the price tag was in my range. We all piled into the Cougar and went to the bank. I withdrew money, we signed and notarized the title and bill of sale, and I was suddenly the new owner of a 1968 Sunlit Gold Mustang Coupe with a 289 motor and 3-speed automatic.

When I pulled onto I-5 north to head home and gave the Pony some RPMs, a big puff of black smoke blew out of the pipes. My heart fell for a second before I figured it was only carbon. I got the car home and washed it, which is a great way to REALLY see a car. Overall, I was pleased with my purchase, and joined Island Classic Mustang Club.

I drove the car daily for four years before the tired 289 needed some help. Ray Krum sold me a 302 engine and installed it in 1994. The new engine breathed new life into my Mustang, and the 302 is still running great today.

I was in Island Classic Mustang Club until January of 1996, when I left over a misunderstanding. It was four years before I rejoined during the 9th Annual Show and Shine at Wal-Mart.

Since April 2000, I’ve replaced the stock intake manifold and 2-barrel carburetor with an Edelbrock intake and 4-barrel carb. I also replaced the points with an electronic system. The stock steel wheels also got replaced with Magnum 500s.

While my Mustang isn’t a show winner, and needs some TLC itself, I enjoy driving it. It still has those dings and blemishes, and the suspension still squeaks, but it’s driven everyday as Mustangs are supposed to be.

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