I have a feeling that if I would have had this car when I was 15, my life would now be dramatically different. So far, this has been about the best money I have ever spent. It is truly amazing how many people dig this car. It is now a well-documented fact that the vast majority of females love red Mustang convertibles. All is now right in my automotive world. I have gone through phases of liquidating my toys in moments of financial malaise, and when I sold my fully restored 1970 Corvette back in 2000, I didn't know if I would ever get back into it. Well I am back, and can do no wrong with this set of wheels. Now, I loved my Corvette, and spent 7 years of blood, sweat, and tears bringing it back from the dead, but this is completely different. Corvettes and Harleys (I've had both) smack of pretentiousness, and that is something completely lacking with this car. Everybody loves it-- no bad attitudes...

Getting rid of the PT Cruiser (I traded it in on a 2001 Ranger and a 2001Mustang for my 16 year-old sister, Molly) left me without much to play with. I finished my MFA in December 2001, and now that I have a full-time teaching job, hell, I think I deserve a new toy. ; )

I began searching the classifieds and the web in January 2002, and I finally found a Mustang worth looking at on-line at www.cars-on-line.com. If you are shopping for a classic, this is the only way to go. I found her in Montgomery, Alabama, owned by a very wealthy businessman who had bought the car for his wife in 1995. He was the third owner, and the car had been pampered most of her life. The car stayed garaged, and had only been driven 400 miles since 1997. The asking price was $13,500, and I decided to make a road trip during Spring Break to check her out...

What does that mean? Let's break it down:

76A = Convertible with standard interior
X = Vintage Burgundy paint
D6 = White with black trim interior
25Q = March 25, 1965 build date (her birthday!)
34 = Dealer code for Indianapolis, Indiana
1 = axle ratio of 3:00:1
6 = C-4 automatic transmission

What about the VIN#?

5 = 1965 year model
F = built in Dearborn, Michigan
08 = convertible
A = 289 cubic inch V-8, 4-barrel carb., 225 HP
676375 = consecutive unit number

Now that wasn't so hard, was it? A pretty nice pedigree. The only thing that didn't jive was the bright red paint, which had been painted over the original maroon about 8 years ago. Oh well...

On March 23, 2002, I took my sister's Dodge truck and a car dolly, and drove to Montgomery with the rest of the $$$, ready to bring her home. I unbolted the drive shaft, strapped her down, and away we went. Her magic was immediate, and all I had to do was stop for a hamburger at Hardee's on the way home to draw a crowd. And I wasn't even driving her yet! She begged for a name, and since she was a red-head, I named her Lucille.

The initial shake down the first week revealed a few bugs, so I changed the oil, replaced the spark plugs and plug wires, and gave her a good once-over. Some of the instrument bulbs needed replacing, and I color-sanded and polished the paint, as well as detailed the engine. Man, she's clean... by week two, I entered her in a local car show and got a second-in-class trophy. Sweet! Week three, the water pump went out, followed by the alternator. No big deal...we limped home, and I replaced both myself for a cool $65. Try that with any other car!

My first stage of restoration has been the instrument panel. New bulbs, a new bezel, and new clear plastic, all for about $30. I repainted the numbers and needles, and it's as good as new.