You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you just might find, you get what you need - Mick Jagger

By the time I got my driver's license in 1984, I had my heart set on a 1965 Ford Mustang. Simple enough, kinda cheap, something that could be fixed and would educate me about all things mechanical. Yet somewhere along the way, dad confused "Mustang" with "Bronco," resulting in the vehicle you see above. Oh well...it was transportation, and it was mine. I could come and go with the best of the rednecks. Bear in mind, however, that when I first got my license, I was 15, 5'0", and a whopping 95lbs., and the license even said so. I literally "grew" into the vehicle, and spent the first year of driving it perched atop a pillow, viewing the highways of Rankin County through the steering wheel spokes. That didn't last long, and I soon ditched the pillow.

Now when I first got the Bronco, it had a wore-out black and white paint job, with an interior that could be cleaned simply by spraying it down with a garden hose. Christmas 1984, netted me a new paint job (sovereign blue metallic/white Imron), and a leather Grant GT steering wheel. That got the ball rolling. The next year saw a killer tuck and roll interior, complete with new carpet and padded headliner, in 2-tone blue. Hell yeah! Then came an Alpine AM/FM cassette player (with EQ and amp), 4 new speakers, chrome winch bumper, foglites, and chrome wheels. Now we are getting somewhere. Powerwise? Well, after I blew the motor, it was replaced with a new 302, Edelbrock intake, Holley 600 carb, and dual exhaust w/glaspacks.

Unfortunately, I had yet to learn what good taste was, so I had the pre-requisite gun racks, whip antenna (with tennis ball), chrome barefoot gas pedal and ditched the backseat for a pair of blue velour beanbags. I also learned the hard way about mechanicking, and learned the value of motor oil, rear end oil, and letting others drive your vehicle. It was put out to pasture after I moved to MSU, and I sold it in 1992. All in all, a great first ride that lasted forever, with lots of good memories.

Highs:

1) first ride
2) mud riding
3) having the baddest Bronco in town
4) Music that takes me back: Anything by Rush, Boston, or Queen

Lows:

1) no A/C
2) losing an engine on HWY 80
3) losing the rear end at Brandon Academy and crawling home in 4WD.
4) letting dad and Molly borrow it, and finding it in the middle of a lake in Pelahatchie