by: Ray Taylor
In 1979 I met the lady I was destined to marry. Younger than I, she did not know of my past friends and our passion for the fast cars of the early '70s. During the first 10 years of our marriage, my old friends would come by our home and talk endlessly of the great times we enjoyed in the cars we owned. They would always ask to ride in my old car. On one particular occasion, after everyone had left, Rebecca pointed out to me that she and I did not have a "car past" to share. She successfully placed that important though in my head that I needed to get her a car for our 10th wedding anniversary. It would have to be both fast and appealing. This would not be just another family car for her and our two kids, but something special she could brag about when my friends were over. A call was made to a buddy who sold cars. Requirements on my list were a color combination of red and white since both Rebecca and I attended N.C. State, the largest engine available, leather interior, and as many other options as possible. The only question asked by my friend just before the final order was placed was should this car be a straight drive version for me or did I want the female version, his phrasing for an automatic. The car I ordered would be the 12th Mustang GT produced on March 20, 1989, and would be one of only 801 built with Medium Scarlet Red and White Leather Sport Interior. Delivery was scheduled for April 25th to the closest dealership in Asheville, North Carolina, where we had planned to spend our anniversary weekend. Of course, all of this was to be kept secret.
The convertible was presented to Rebecca on our special day and was driven about 175 miles during our trip. Upon returning home, the first snag arose in this story. With the high-back pillow seats, my wife found it very difficult to back out of the garage due to the narrow configuration of the driveway and landscaping. She once again drove the old Subaru and Jeep and only drove the Mustang to church. This soon ended also and she announced that she was just too afraid she might wreck the car. She wanted to park it in the garage with my old car. It was covered and not driven again for 10 years.
On our 20th anniversary, I brought her car out of storage. Wow! It looked better than it had when I first purchased it. My wife of 20 years cried when she saw it again saying that now she knew how I felt about my car.
After cleaning, polishing, etc., we decided to take the ragtop to its first show, the 2000 MCA Grand National held in Raleigh, North Carolina. We showed in the unrestored category and received a Gold. For me this was the hook, line, and sinker. Now my wife had the car she had wanted to brag about all along.
The 1989 GT now sports 507 original miles on the odometer with original oil filter and battery still intact. The original window sticker indicates the only options purchased were the Special Value Group which included AM/FM cassette, speed control, air conditioning, and Premium Sound at a cost of $1,275. Also added were leather sports seats for $415 and the "ladies transmission" for $515. The dealer added Tektor exterior and interior treatment for an additional $295. We still have all the bottles with the extra Tektor Treatment in them. I guess we're some of those folks who never throw anything out!
Our youngest daughter was approaching the age of 16, and following her mother's advice, told me that if she got a car for her birthday, she would go with me to car shows. Again the seed was planted in my head that I needed to do something. Like mother, like daughter!
Leah is first on her high school tennis team, so I decided the color should be yellow to match the tennis balls she seemed to be constantly hitting. I also wanted her to have a car unlike all the others her friends were getting. So the decision was made to get a new Mustang coupe and immediately customize it. The search began for a Zinc Yellow version, low mileage, and no dealer prep. One was located in Gastonia, placed in an enclosed trailer, and brought home with only 7.5 miles on the odometer. The new addition was kept hidden in the trailer with all work done in secret.
A new interior design by myself along with an "I Did It Designs" graphic package was on the roster. Carson Hazlip made sure the graphics project was completed in one week. The interior work was completed by Gary and David of Auto Top and Trim of Reidsville. Next was the Spring Auto Fest in Raleigh to see what response the public might give this project. Best Ford at Show was good enough for me, however some comments about the standard 3.8 V6 needing some fixing up were received. It was then off to Custom Performance of Concord and, with the help of Dale, a plan was developed to install a Vortech supercharger, ceramic elongated headers, and custom-built dual exhaust, as well as other engine modifications. This project, which normally should take less than two weeks including shipping of parts, became an ordeal when it was discovered that the computer in V6 Mustang had been changed by Ford and Vortech did not have a chip that would work. About eight weeks of research and development resulted in Vortech offering to buy back the supercharger. This simply was not the answer we wanted and, with the assistance of Vortech Computer Programming as well as assurance from Dale the project could be completed one way or another, we continued. Now I must admit that during this time I became nervous since the birthday present might not be ready on time. So, using my 500 minute calling card, I used up all my minutes calling Vortech in California and Custom Performance in Concord encouraging both not to give up on my project.
This major hurdle was finally cleared and was followed by additional interior enhancements such as changing out the standard gauge package for a day-glow version, adding two gauges to the A-pillar and installing a boost gauge and fuel/air mix gauge.
The guys at the shop must still be laughing at my for the way I acted and reacted when I picked up the car. Relief, excitement, joy, and even giddy are words that come to mind. I'm sure they have others. I believe Dale also was more than normally happy as he took the time to call several times after the project to make sure I was satisfied with the work and performance of the car.
The car was now ready for Leah and we felt it was ready for the MCA National at the Mall of Georgia in Buford, Georgia. The coupe showed in the popular vote category and placed second. She was extremely pleased that her car had received so well among the other car owners there. Many people, after looking at the car, would go and tell others to come take a look and talk to her.
Showing with Steeda, Cobra, Bullitt, and Roush Mustangs was quite intimidating to Leah until she received her trophy. She is now committed hook, line, and sinker. This is certainly since she has asked me to buy her a daily driver. She plans to store her car in the garage next to mom's and dad's.
This 2001 couple sports about 402 miles on the odometer. Since our photo shoot in May, the car has gone back for a complete trunk design to match the multicolored interior. Future plans are numerous, with the next project starting out using Number 8 high- polished aluminum plating for custom interior additions.
Her older sister Rebecca Jean, a sophomore at N.C. State, seems to be getting interested in cars. I wonder why? Women sure know how to get what they want, and I just love shopping for presents.
Mustang Times
October 2002
Vol. 26 No. 10
