This is the mustang as it was in approximately 1995, during my college years.
I joined the Phoenix tale in 1991 just after my 16th birthday. My father, wanting to get me into automotive work a bit (and to keep me away from his Mustang), decided to purchase the 1970 coupe from another member of his squadron at March AFB in CA. Unfortunately, while my father is on a trip the car was sold to another member of the squadron for his son's 16th birthday! Luckily for me, the other boy would not drive it. The reason? He did not like the Orange color! Needless to say, this upset the other father and he then sold the car to my dad for the same price he paid. I'm much happier for it
Over the next couple of years, and through a move to Nebraska I learned a bit about automotive maintenance
and repair.
My father and I did everything from the front suspension to engine, rear end, and painting. Granted my dad did
the majority of the work, but I learned quite a bit!
Unfortunately through the years of college I was unable to maintain the 'Stang as well as I would have liked. From 1993 through 1999 years due to limited budget I was unable to do much in the way of preventative maintenance. Mechanically she was still fairly sound, but the body began to suffer.
It was also during this time when the mustang earned another name. One summer I developed a leak around the carburetor seal, and an engine fire ensued. After this unfortunate instance she earned the name of "The Flaming B*&%$" (you can fill in the blanks) :)
Towards the end of the college years, trouble struck again in the form of an accident. All I will say is that winters in Iowa can be a bear...and to never underestimate the damage a Volkswagen can do to a Mustang! Luckily the damage did not extend to the frame or hood. Unfortunately, due to finances the repairs did have to wait.
After college I had a brief stint working in MN. At the time I thought this
was a good thing since the Mustang would get a chance to 'rest up' in a garage
over the winter. As I discovered later however, it may have only speed along
the rust monster.
After approximately six months in Minnesota I was able
to secure a job in the Houston area, much closer to my future wife Em. It
also eneded up being the location for phase
one of the Phoenix project, also know as the garage at Em's parents house
:)
