Have prices of Foxbody Mustangs reached the top yet?

The rise in Foxbody Mustang prices and popularity is a current trend that most say will level out soon, but I think there is a factor that most fans are not taking into consideration.

(The 93 SVT Cobra Mustang was King of the streets in its day)

Hear me out…..I’ve owned at least four Fox Mustangs in the last 10 years (I may have forgotten one or two), but the prices they are fetching now days seems to be insane compared to what you could buy them for just 3 years ago. A clean coupe (notchback) that was selling around $5000 not long ago, could fetch as much as $15,000 today. Do I have your attention now? Have you missed your opportunity to snag one, or is the market just getting started on an uptick that will blow our minds in the next 2-3 years? Why you ask? Well let me see if I can enlighten you to my reasons, its not to late to buy one, even at what seems crazy prices. The recipe is an age-old winner, lightweight car plus V8 power under the hood equals fun behind the wheel and when you add good looks to the mix-it’s an unstoppable force that we will explore.

The year was 1979 and Ford has just unveiled an all-new radical design of the Mustang, built on a Fox platform borrowed from the Ford Fairmont and the Mercury Zephyr. It sported a small/sleek European design theme and the market loved it. Sales skyrocketed to over 369,000 units sold, and the Foxbody Mustang was born. It was lightweight, fast, and offered something new. The Fox Mustang was ready to wake up the tired/sleepy car world, ready for more power and offered a fresh new styling that would remain popular for a long time.

(The 1979 Indy Pace Car Edition was a Ford Mustang)

Over the next few years, the car would have engine upgrades to meet the demand for more performance and Ford brought back the pony wars of old like they introduced in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The body styles would also change a bit throughout the run from 1979 to 1986, offering a drop-top (convertible), coupe, and the popular hatchback. However, in 1987, the even more sleek, aero look would change the game again by solidifying the Foxbody style Mustang in the world of aftermarket parts, and the frenzy was off and running.

All good things must come to an end, however, and in 1993, it ended with a Bang! Ford decided to throw the parts bin at the 93 Mustang and after working with the in-house performance team called SVT (Special Vehicles Team) they gave birth to the 1993 Mustang SVT Cobra. Let’s just say it had it all, performance, looks, style, growl, street creds, rarity, and got noticed around the World. Nice examples of the 93 Cobra Mustang are pulling in $25-40K these days!

(The 1993 Mustang SVT Cobra was a parts bin special with go-fast goodies)

Okay, now let’s examine why the Foxbody Mustang has increased in value rapidly over the last 2-3 years. Is it too late or can you still get in the game at an affordable price? I’m going to break this into separate categories based on my research (and mostly my opinion):

·       Gen X factor? Guys from the 80’s are now at a time in life where they want the cars that they grew up with and dreamed of driving as a kid or teenager. For many of those 80’s kids, the dream was a Foxbody era Mustang. This is a large factor in the recent popularity of the cars, and yes, it can and always drives the price up.

·       Availability – Due to the fact that Ford sold 2.6 million Foxbody Mustangs between 1979 and 1993, there are a bunch out there! Not saying they are all on the road, but you can find plenty still around. Keep in mind that of the 2.6 million, some were 4-cylinders, 6-cylinders, and in all kinds of shape, some good, some not so good. But you can still locate a low mileage gem if you look far and wide, however when you do, expect to pay up for the 25+ year old American collectible.

·       Marketplace – Have tools like Facebook Marketplace and BAT (Bring a Trailer) caused the market to have a false idea of the true value of these cars? I’d say that once the craze hit a couple of years ago, it resulted in every Uncle, Cousin, brother-in-law, and farmer in the 50 states to dust off the Fox in their barn, shed, and carport and wash it and slap a price on it to see if it sticks. Yes, that has caused a whole bunch of unrealistic prices to surface on the world wide web and its like a shark frenzy. I’d say that even though these tools allow a wider audience to see and find these cars, it has caused the prices to jump up more that the market should be.

·       Aftermarket explosion – OEM and aftermarket parts are so much more available now that the popularity of fixing this car up has increased. The low cost and ability to easily modify, restore, and customize to your taste has allowed more enthusiasts to bring these cars back to life and take them to car shows. That makes them more desirable to folks who have not thought about a Foxbody Mustang in years and when they see it looking like it did in the 80’s (or even better) they want one!

·       Drag racing world – Another factor in the mix is the ease and popularity of racing these lightweight Foxbody Mustangs. These cars have enjoyed a long run on the dragstrip for being an easy way to go have fun and makes tons of power….and did I mention go FAST? On any given Friday and Saturday night across America, you will find a bunch of Foxbody Mustangs laying some fast times at local 1/8 and ¼ mile tracks and just watch the crowds gather as one of them stages or does their burnout!!

·       Rare ones – Yes, there are some very rare and highly collectible Foxbody Mustangs still around and you don’t have to look far to find those. Recently at some of the popular car auctions we have seen one of the uber rare 93 Cobra R versions sell for $132,000 and a 1990 Mustang GT drop-top with only 16 miles sold for $82,000. Low mileage copies of 90’s Notchback are fetching in the mid $30k range, it’s no wonder the buzz is spreading everywhere. The 80’s and 90’s Saleen Mustangs are also on another level with collectors and commonly bring some of the highest prices seen at auctions and across the internet.

·       Social media following – A new craze has evolved and its no surprise to me that it has taken off with the younger generation. Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook have given birth to a Foxbody following that is adding fuel to the fire that has been burning for a couple of years now. There is a page dedicated to the Foxbody Mustang and even pages for the cars themselves and I love it! These content creators, as they are known, are uploading videos dedicated to the Foxbody Mustang era and they offer some very useful info. From tech tips to restoration guides, they are sharing their love and passion for the cars and its amazing to see how many others are sharing in this same passion and desire to own these cars. This 25-40-year-old age group has caught the excitement that these 80’s and 90’s cars have to offer and once again, this adds to the overall desire to own one. And yes, it’s a snowball effect, it gains more steam as it rolls downhill, which guess what? It is driving the prices up for a new group of enthusiasts that want to join the Foxbody revolution.

·       Shows and Special Events – Yes, the popularity has gained so much over the last few years that there are special events just for Foxbody Mustangs now. FoxtoberFest held in Concord, NC at the Charlotte Motor speedway and boasted over 700 Fox Mustangs at their annual show this year! The mid-west Fox Fest is held in Omaha, Nebraska each year and has gained more cars each year. Also, Mustang Week in Myrtle Beach, SC attracts 100’s of Foxbody Mustangs each year and has a dedicated Foxbody cruise for the past several years. I bet if you look hard enough your area has some type of Foxbody Mustang gathering each year. 

(FoxtoberFest 2021 had over 700 Fox Mustangs attend) 

·       Investment – Last but not least, I’d say another factor driving the prices up are the investment opportunities in finding one of these cars in original condition. Its like money in the bank, except, these cars may offer more return on your investment that any money market account out there. It seems the desire among the younger folks (25 – 40 years old) is to own one of these Foxbody Mustangs that they wanted while in high school or college. Yes it’s the same trend that our dads followed when they reached their 40’s and 50’s they wanted to go back a buy that late 60‘s or 70’s Mustang they were never able to own back then.

To summarize the original question I asked, is it too late buy one or should I wait till the prices settle before I get into the market for a Foxbody Mustang? My answer is simple, NO, its not to late, and NO, I don’t think the market is going to settle or drop. I honestly feel like the values of nice Foxbody Mustangs are going to continue to increase over the next few years, I just don’t see the trend falling off. Most folks can’t afford or don’t have a desire to own a 1^st or 2^nd Gen Ford Mustang, but the Foxes are still in their price range for now. Its my thought that you can still buy a nice one now and make a profit if you want to flip or keep it as a longer-term investment.

The “it” factor for the Foxbody cars is the desire, there is huge following for these cars right now and it is driving the collectability up. Fans and collectors are willing to pay up to own the one they want and the supply and demand with keep the prices rising for the nice/low mileage examples. This does not include the rare or more highly collectible versions; those will also increase but at a more rapid pace.

I personally own a 1988 LX Hatchback Mustang 5.0 liter with only 98K miles, that I purchased this year with the intent to freshen it up a bit and flip it, but now I think I will fix it up a little more and enjoy driving it. It’s a fun little car to work on as I drive it and who knows one day if it has increased in value enough that I can’t refuse the offer I’ll flip it, but for now, I’m back in the 90’s cruising in my 5.0 (wait isn’t that a song).

See Ya down the road……. Joseph Scott

Has Covid-19 Killed off Car Shows as we know them?

Just as the 2020 Car Show season was about to explode, the dreadful Covid 19 (Corona Virus) hit the streets of America and overnight seemed to shut everything down. Six feet social distancing, late night curfews, stay at home mandates, and teleworking became commonly used terms in the blink of an eye. We watched as life as we know it began to shut down and everyone was stuck at home and encouraged to not participate in any activities with more than 10 folks. At first it did not seem like a big deal and we thought that it would blow over and end soon, but as the weeks and months passed, it would get worse before it got better.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the car show scene was on a fast track and had gained in popularity from 2019. Each of the past few years, the car show circuit had been seeing more and more of the younger crowd starting to discover the passion of cars and they gravitated to the shows to hang out with others who love the car scene as well. 

As the hobby grew, during the peak season for shows (April - September), each weekend had multiple events and makes the choices harder than ever to decide which event you would attend. As someone who hosts and coordinates multiple shows each year, it had also been very difficult to find the perfect weekend to choose a time/date to have a car event. 

Due to many county, city, and state regulations, many of our favorite car shows and events began to postpone or get cancelled. Although it was sad to see so many shows to get cancelled for the 2020 year, it was understandable due to how serious this was and how many folks were being diagnosed with Covid-19. 

However, as the months rolled on, some of the car clubs and groups found creative ways to participate in events. Some clubs had car cruises (driving events) where everyone stayed in their vehicle and drove to a designated area along some amazing roads. If your group or club are not already doing these type events, they are a great way to get out and enjoy driving our cars. Other groups were allowed to have small events by following very specific rules and guidelines, but it did take a bit of creativity to pull it off. 

Cars and Coffee events and Cruise-In's have also been another very popular event because you are only walking around looking at vehicles for a couple of hours.....no judging, no trophies, which allows for more social distancing. 

As we move forward and get back to having some form of typical car shows, will they be different or will the host and organizers have to follow so many rules and guidelines that they drop them all together? Some of the larger events that we all know and love have already cancelled for 2020.

For example, the 2020 Woodward Dream Cruise and all of the spin-off events will not happen. This includes the memories show at the Dearborn, Michigan (World Ford Headquarters) which draws 1000's of Ford Mustangs every year. 

My thoughts are that the damage has been done and some of the 2020 shows that have been cancelled this year may also suffer from the financial standpoint, I know that some events had already spent a lot of money for promotions/advertising and sponsors will not be happy about the loss. Only time will tell if the Covid-19 outbreak will have lasting effects on the car show circuit as we move back into whatever our new normal is. I would hope that the folks who are passionate about their vehicles will find a way to show them off and be creative enough to come out of this in better shape.

I also know this.....there are two things that bring people together and allow for the social, economic, racial, and age barriers to fall, that's Cars and Music. So my recommendation is, let's turn up the tunes and have a car show!!

See you down the road.....Joseph P. Scott

Why is the new 2021 Mach 1 Mustang Not Shaking things up?

If I said Mach 1 what thoughts and images would immediately come to mind for you? Sonic test flights of old experimental planes, Rockets, or a Ford Mustang? Your answer would tell me a lot about your age and maybe even your automobile knowledge. One thing is for sure, for me one image that is burned into my mind would be a Candy Apple Red 1969 Mach 1 Mustang with 428 Cobrajet Engine package, and it also has all the correct flat black scoops, chin spoiler, deck lid wing, rear window louvers, flat black paint trim and stripes, and that Classic Shaker Hood Scoop rumbling under the opening in the hood. All of this would be because that one of my all-time favorite dream cars!

Even though it was released to the world in 1969 is joined a hefty model lineup of Fords, the Mustang GT, BOSS 302 and 429, Shelby GT350 and GT500, however, it immediately made an impact.....why? Cause it set itself apart from the other offerings by being different, it kind of set a new standard for sportiness. These new sport appearance options made it stand out as aggressive even when parked next to the mighty Shelbys. The new Mach 1 was so popular in fact that it booted the GT version of the Mustang and it did not return again until 1982.

50 years later and Ford has once again revealed that they will build a Mach 1 Mustang, the last one being 17 years ago and was offered in some striking new colors, 4.6 liter V8 engine and the shaker hood scoop. So with Ford always holding on to the heritage and history of past models, colors and name badges, why would they NOT offer the shaker hood scoop again? 

Now that it has been seen in photos and in action on the track, let talk about why the all new 2021 Mach 1 Mustang is shaking things up but in a bad way. Numerous articles have already been written in the last week about how its the most spectacular track version of the Mustang and the Ford engineers pulled go fast and track goodies from both the Shelby GT-350 and 2020 GT-500. They boosted about how if purchased with the optional handling package its downforce is over 150% more than a 2020 Mustang GT with Performance Pack 1, how it was a more track ready car than the Bullitt Mustang, it still has the 6-speed manual gearbox, it has upgraded handling mods to make it go faster on track, and even has a Mach 1 appearance package with cool stripe colors.....so why are folks not happy and talking more about the one item it does not come with?? Its simple.....they did not offer a Shaker Hood option!! It is getting more negative press than good, social media posts are blowing up and the purist are saying it is unforgivable. 

Ford's answer to the foul cry for No hood scoop, is that it messed up the aerodynamics of the car and they opted to not use it. Let's wait and see if the car was rushed to production or if the cars MSRP will land it in hot water with buyers or will they opt to buy the Mach 1 over paying such a premium for the 2020 Shelby GT-500 with its dealer markups! 

Maybe some of us like me will just wait and buy a used one with a few miles on the clock and save up to have it painted Candy Apple Red and add on an aftermarket Shaker Hood Scoop...oh yes, you know those are already being manufactured by someone. Someone who is about to make a ton of profit selling those to guys like me who want to the see the rumble of the engine sticking through the hood every time I mash the gas peddle. 

So what are your thoughts......did Ford drop the ball on this return of the Iconic Mach 1 Mustang or is it just a sign of the times? What about the classic saying......Everything Old is New Again? Maybe I'm the one getting old!! 

See Ya Down the Road........Joseph P. Scott

2020 Porsche 911 “Revealed”

Timeless Machine – Webster defines timeless this way, not restricted to a particular time or date and Porsche says the new 911 is “therefore a reflection of the past and a vison of the future”.

The new 2020 Porsche 911 is being referred to as a “Timeless Machine”, and is the eighth generation of the 911. Porsche of Huntsville was ready to show off another new vehicle from the stable of exquisite German built sportscars. From the debut of the 911’s first model in 1963 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, the 911 has been the benchmark for sportscars around the world. The iconic design has captivated crowds for 57 years and shows no signs of slowing down.

The dealership invited a few local Porsche enthusiasts and the Porsche Club of Huntsville members to be the first to see the 2020 911. Porsche of Huntsville once again had a special “First Look” or “Unveiling” event to show off this ageless beauty. The guests were treated to food and drink as well as music by one of the best Frank Sinatra impersonators I’ve seen in a long time.

Another added treat was the dealership had filled the showroom with a few iconic 911’s from several other decades, so it was fun to see the iconic cars as the design evolved.

The showroom was filled with a crowd of local VIP’s, salespersons, service team members and local Porsche Club members ready to see the classic 911 that everyone has come to love. Always the gracious hosts and on hand to greet every single guest was General Manager George Jones (Century Automotive Group) and Tracy Jones (President-Century Automotive Group). It’s always great to see them mingling with repeat clients, new customers, and old friends as they once again unveiled a new vehicle.

Finally, it was time, as General Manager George Jones (Century Automotive Group) took the mic and stirred the crowd by talking about the rich 57-year history of the 911 and invited them to gaze at the new 2020 911 as the cover was pulled off to reveal the classic yet futuristic silhouette that is timeless in itself.

As the car was revealed, Bradley Dale (Porsche of Huntsville Salesman) gave the technical details of the new 2020 911 Carrera 4S Coupe in an eye-catching Gentian Blue Metallic. It did not take a trained eye to see the many changes, like the wider rear end, and seamless taillight strip which unities all 911 models.

Many in the crowd noticed the design DNA of the slope and style of the front of the car, but at the same time it blended so well with the modern LED lighting technology in the headlights and taillights. The newly designed tailpipes were also eye catching to the crowds. This new 2020 model still carries on the rich history and iconic body lines that have made the 911 a crowd favorite around the world. The all-wheel drive 911 Carrera 4S is equipped with the twin turbocharged 3.0-liter boxer 6 engine sporting 443 HP and 390 lb-ft. of torque. It was also hard to miss the athletic stance the new 911 had due to its larger sizes wheels in the front and rear (20-in wheels in front, and 21-in at the rear).

One more item to note, is that in today’s world of automatic shifting vehicles and lightning-fast shifts, Porsche has made it an option to still order your new 2020 911 with a manual gearbox. The seven-speed is a no-cost option and also saves you 84 pounds if you are keeping track of every little weight-saving item. The manual equipped vehicle will use a limited-slip differential as opposed to the PDK equipped electronic limited-slip diff.

Other significant changes for this new 911 included the new 8-speed PDK transmission, and newly designed PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) system. Also, driver assistant systems like the Lane Keeping Assist, traffic sign recognition and Night Vison Assist takes your driving experience to the next level…German engineering at its finest! Porsche always delivers both form and function, commonly expected from a group that continues to push the limits of performance driving and such a historic racing history.

2020 911 Carrera 4S Coupe 992 (Gentian Blue Metallic) Photo

Let’s look at the stats of the new 2020 911 Carrera 4S Coupe (as unveiled):

• Engine – Twin-Turbocharged 3.0-liter boxer 6
• Horsepower - 443 HP
• Torque – 390 lb. ft. 
• Transmission – Manual or PDK (7-speed dual-clutch automatic)
• Top Speed – 190 mph (track tested)
• Zero to 60 mph – 3.2 sec (with PDK and Sport-Chrono Package)
• Price – *MSRP from $97,400 on the base 911 Coupe ($120,600 on the 911 4S Coupe)  *courtesy of Porsche USA

Porsche of Huntsville always provides Award-winning experiences in all areas: sales, parts, and top-notch customer service. Simply....the best showroom experience in the Southeast. Drop by today and see Jon Cunha (sales manager) or one of the many experienced sales associates and let them show you why a recent Porsche ad sums it up best “we’re driving into the future”.

Rebirth of the SVO Mustang from Ford is on the way, but when?

If you grew up in the 80’s you know what an SVO Mustang is and most likely you dreamed of owning one. Let’s face the facts, the 80’s were not the most popular for car enthusiast due to lack of real muscle cars with any power or torque. However, there are a few exceptions and the Ford Mustang SVO was one of those cars that grabbed lots of attention.

Ford had a newly formed internal group called Special Vehicles Operations Department (SVO) and their job was to oversee both the companies racing programs and production of their limited-edition and high-performance (street-legal) vehicles. They had a new secret weapon that was about to hit the streets in 1984 and was packing a 2.3 liter inline 4 cylinder turbo with 175 HP and 210 lb-ft. of torque. Not impressive in today’s world, but very respectable for the mid 80’s. Eventually reaching 200 HP and 240 lb-ft. of torque by the end run in 1986 (Only a three year run for the SVO 4 cylinder Mustangs). 

The 1985 ½ SVO Mustang was and still is the most sought after with its looks and power (205 HP and 248 lb-ft. of torque). Each year of the SVO production run also had a few other performance goodies that I will not take time to address, but added to their street cred. (Suspension, gears, brakes, etc.)

Now, let’s fast forward 35 years and Ford is once again offering a 2.3 liter inline 4 cylinder turbo Mustang and it’s also gaining lots of attention again. This time around the Ford engineers have been putting in the extra hours to extract a lot more ponies under the hood. The current 2.3 liter EcoBoost version is rated at 310 HP and 350 lb-ft. of torque and is capable of 0-60 mph runs well under 6.0 seconds. That’s some serious performance from the little engine that could!

Not long after the dust settles from the praise-worthy articles about the 2019 EcoBoost Mustang, we get breaking news from Ford that they have once again tweaked their 4 cylinder Pony car and this time the gloves are off and they come out swinging for the knockout punch.

At the New York Auto Show Ford reveals the 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost High Performance Package (longest name EVER) will pack even more ponies under the hood. The 2.3 liter turbo 4 cylinder will now sport 330 HP and 350 lb-ft. of torque and is projected to blaze from 0-60 mph in the mid-four-second range! It will also borrow many other performance upgrades from its older brother, the Mustang GT, such as GT front brake rotors, upgraded sway bars, quad-tip exhaust, and specially calibrated magnetic dampers.

Most purist are already asking the question, will this new performance minded 4 cylinder turbo carry the famous SVO badge again as its younger brother did in the 80’s? For now, the answer is no, Ford has even created a snazzy new High-Performance badge with checkerboard trim. But when a spokesperson was asked about bringing back the Iconic SVO badge, they responded and said “Not on this one”.

So I guess we can stay hopeful that the little pony that could may still get branded as an SVO Mustang soon, but for now let’s just enjoy those incredible performance numbers Ford just unveiled. The streets will again be filled with young car enthusiast who will want to gain the bragging rights to those street light challenges that have been known to take place in any small-town USA. Maybe Ford won’t make us wait much longer to shout “Hey…look at that SVO” as we attend those Friday night cruise-in’s and Saturday Cars Shows.

Congrats to you Mr. Ford, way to keep pushing the boundaries and continuing to elevate the performance bar on the American Sports car.

See Ya down the road……..Joseph P. Scott

Will the obsession of collecting classic cars ever die off?

The classic car market has fluctuated up and down over the past several years, but the passion and the desire to collect keep going strong. I have written articles about buying classic vehicles vs. investing in the stock market or even replacing your 401K with classic automobiles, but overall it still seems to me that buying vintage cars/trucks will make you a good bit of money over the long haul. However, maybe they need to be the right kind or certain years. What determines the best formula?

Every year I watch the various collector car auctions such as Barrett Jackson and Mecum and most vehicles increase in value each year. Again, there are periods where one particular type of vehicles seem to outdo the others that year, but over a 5 to 10 year period most of the folks who buy and sell each year tend to make money.

(Photo courtesy of RM Sotheby's Auctions)

It has been fun over the last 20 years to watch what is trending. Some years the American Muscle cars are bringing big money and after a few good years running, they seem to trail off and then the 60’s and 70’s American pickup trucks skyrocket in price. The next year, it’s the odd ball stuff like all-original VW buses or rare one-off concept cars. In some ways it is like the stock market, if we could predict which vehicles would be the next to take off in price, we could invest in those while the cost is low and pocket a nice profit!

(Photo courtesy of Barrett Jackson Auctions)

The market has changed quite a bit over the last 25 years, because I remember watching Barrett Jackson years ago and seeing all of the old European cars (Porsche, Ferrari, and Jaguars) bringing the serious money, then the muscle cars started gaining some serious ground……..now days you will see a resto-mod 55 Chevy bring more money than an all original classic Porsche will.

So back to my original question, will the market ever tank at some point? Will collecting classic vehicles follow the trend that baseball cards did and die off? I mean seriously…..the market got flooded with too many brands and so many cards that it killed off the hobby almost completely. Let’s hope that does not happen to classic automobiles. I guess as long as boys continue to play with toys (Hot-wheels and die-cast cars) and big boys continue to want to play with big toys (Hot-Rods and old pickup trucks), the market will stay active and the passion will grow each year.

One thing is for sure……we love to tune in and watch the cars roll across the auction block and dream of being there with our hand in the air and the hammer falls and we score a sweet deal on a classic American muscle car!!

See Ya down the road…….Joseph

Who owns the first Ford Mustang ever sold?

If you are a Mustang fanatic then this may be a question that you have asked before and now the answer has been made known.  The answer will surprise you and even more so to know that the original owner still owns it today and the car is on the road again after 53 years.

In the spring of 1964 a 22 year old school teacher was looking to get her first taste of freedom and purchase a new set of wheels.  Gail Brown was living with her parents and teaching at a local elementary school in Chicago, Illinois and her only means of transportation was her mom’s 1957 Ford Fairlane 500, but at least it was a convertible.  She knew that her first car needed to be something special but had no idea what would unfold when she visited the Johnson Ford dealership in her hometown.  After looking at every car in the showroom she told the salesman that she just didn’t see anything that fit what she was searching for.  The salesman then told her “I’ve got something in the back that’s really new” and as he took her in a back storeroom he pulled the cover off of a shiny new 1965 Ford Mustang convertible that had not even been shown to the public yet.  Gail said “That’s me……..that’s what I want”!  The car was painted Skylight Blue and was equipped with the Rally Pac instrumentation to go with its 260 cu. in V8 engine. 

After trading in an old beater and getting her parents to pitch in a little to help her she purchased the car for a total of $3419.  Even if this was the end of the story, it would be a neat story, but the real kicker is that the purchase date of this car was on April 15^th, two days before the car was unveiled at the New York World’s Fair.  Just by chance she became the owner of the first retail Ford Mustang known to be sold. (Talk about being at the right place at the right time)  Can you imagine the excitement this young girl was feeling as she experienced the joys of driving her own car and letting her hair blow in the wind? 

Gail recalls all the looks and waves that she got for the first few months as she began driving this all new American Sports car.  She says “I was the coolest teacher in school that year” and remembers how all the boys from the nearby middle school would stare as she drove by.  “I felt like a movie star everywhere I went”.

Just a couple of years later Gail married her sweetheart, Tom Wise and they began their family in a suburb of Chicago.  The Mustang served the family well and in 1974 it would become Tom’s daily driver even though it was beginning to show some wear.  Northern winters were not very kind to this all original car, so after some minor mechanical issues and daily wear and tear, the rusty and tired car was pushed into the driveway after a stolen battery episode in 1979.  Four children later as life moved along the car did not and was eventually tucked into the garage where it would spend the next 27 years.

Even though there were times when Gail would hint at selling the car, Tom convinced her to keep it and had plans of his own of restoring Gail’s classic to its original state.  After retiring from the Navy he made their dreams come true by beginning to restore the 65 convertible in 2007.  It took approximately three years but the car has been fully restored to its original beauty and is now wowing the crowds again after 50+ years!

These days Gail is afraid to drive it much in fear of scuffing her old friend but Tom enjoys driving it to local shows and sharing this incredible story with other Mustang fans.

In case you are wondering, yes the Wise kids now have kids of their own and one of the granddaughters has already asked Tom “Grandpa, can I have this car when I turn 16” 

As this classic American sports celebrates over 50 years on the road, it becomes clear to those who own a Ford Mustang that it’s more than just a car…..its part of the family.

On April 17, 2014 the Ford Mustang turned 50 years old and thousands of folks gathered at the Charlotte Motor speedway in North Carolina to have a massive birthday party and car show. Gail had her car on display at this event for all the show participants to see and enjoy. (I was fortunate enough to get my picture with it)

Every year the World waits to see what the next chapter in this car will bring, but I’m sure it will continue to capture the American spirit, because the classic features of this car have always been the key to its success.  Melanie Baker (Ford marketing manager) says “From the first days it went on sale in 1964, Mustang has appealed to a broad range of customers, including both women and men of all ages, thanks to its blend of style, performance and affordability”.  “Those attributes remain a part of the Mustang formula to this day”.

Thanks Gail for sharing your incredible story!

See Ya down the road…..Joseph Scott

2017 Porsche 718 “Ride & Drive Event” by Porsche Huntsville

Porsche of Huntsville continues to take it to the next level. A couple of weeks ago the dealership invited local Porsche enthusiasts to be the first to see the 2017 Porsche 718, German engineering at its best. Porsche of Huntsville routinely have special “First Look” or “Unveiling” events to show off the latest vehicles, however, this time it was an event to let customers ride and even drive the newest offering from Porsche. The guest were also treated to food and drink at this outdoor event BBQ style, with burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork and all the fixings.

Not to miss this first time event, on hand to greet the guests was General Manager George Jones (Century Automotive Group). He welcomed everyone and encouraged them to get behind the wheels and take a ride to experience the cars first hand.

The TAC (Twickingham Auto Club) of Huntsville helped setup a mini auto-cross track for the participants and drivers to fully experience the power and speed of these new cars from Porsche. Seeing them in the showroom or reading about them on the internet will never beat seat time. Most all of the 60 plus guest took advantage of this special offer to drive the just released 718 from Porsche.

On everyone’s mind was the change in the engine bay, would the turbocharged 2.5 liter flat-four measure up to its predecessors 3.4 liter naturally aspirated flat-six? After seeing the smiles on the participant’s faces after each ride, I’d say the turbocharged replacement did measure up just fine. Then based on the reactions from enthusiasts who drove the Boxster S, it’s a safe bet that the little 2.5 did the trick. Turbo lag in the new 718 is overcome by the new (VTG) variable turbine geometry technology allowing the turbo to run up to 14.5 psi of boost! Several drivers commented on the “lively” feel of the Boxster and loved the quickness in the turns of the road course.

Randy Carter (Porsche Huntsville Service Manger) served as the driver for most of the event for those who only wanted a spirited ride, however, most everyone was also easy to persuade into driving the Boxster S on hand. 

Let’s look at the stats:

2017 718 Boxster S:

Engine – Turbocharged 2.5 liter (DOHC 16 Valve)

Horsepower - 350 HP

Torque – 309 lb. ft.

Transmission – 6-speed Manual or PDK (7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode)

Top Speed – 177 mph

Zero to 60 mph – 4.4 sec.

Price – MSRP from $56,000 on the base 718 Boxster ($68,400 on the 718 Boxster S)

I will be the first to say this event was a “Massive Success” for Porsche of Huntsville and guest who enjoyed the Ride & Drive activities and will want to do it again soon…….maybe in a newly purchased Porsche of their own.

Porsche of Huntsville always provides Award winning sales experience, optimal customer service and offer the best showroom experience in the Southeast. Drop by today and see one of the sales associates and let them show you why Porsche says do it “For the sport of it”. What’s next? You need to stay tuned for exciting news on the 718 Cayman!

Motocross Dreams become Reality!

Most 17 year old kids are preparing for the high school prom or making plans for ski trips at the river this summer. However, Noah Wright, a 17 year old junior at Athens Renaissance School, in Athens AL. has racing on his mind. Noah has only been racing Motocross for a little over a year and a half. Although he grew up with dirt bikes and four wheelers he had only competed in four races on a 65cc when he was about 9 years old. For years Noah begged his parents (Chad and Amy Wright) to let him do more races, but the time to take it up a notch just wasn't right. Then he began to strategize and came up with a plan go to the Loretta Lynn's Amateur Nationals. Basically he was saying he wanted a shot at the Pro Circuit. I’m sure after many discussions and even some prayer, his parents thought it was time, so on his 16 birthday Noah got a used Kawasaki 250 dirt bike. His dad told him that they would run a local series in Arena Cross and if he did well and could win the series he would buy Noah a new bike. Well he did……did I mention Noah was determined? Several bikes later, lots of faith, dedication, training, commitment and yes…….more RACING, Noah is well on the way to Loretta Lynn's!

(Noah being interview by me on ZTV-11 Jamie Cooper Show)

Over this past year Noah and his family have spent every weekend racing. Noah has been on tracks in AL, TN, NC, VA, FL, OH, IN, GA, MO, MS and IL. He has qualified in the Southeast, Mid Central and Northeast Regions and will attend one more area qualifier in a couple of weeks. He will attend his first Regional Race at Muddy Creek in Tennessee in May. Chad and Amy as well as his entire family and friends are so proud of Noah and his accomplishments. In this sport it's a family effort, it takes a lot of commitment from everyone and Noah's long term goal is to compete in the Pro Circuit and be successful.

(Noah in the pink racing pants....going for the lead)

Noah’s dedication and commitment should be an inspiration to others that have big dreams and goals, but find them unobtainable. Noah has had many road blocks along his journey, some of those being injuries, but one of the hardest is those who are negative, non-supportive or just bullies. Regardless of the opposition or negativity, Noah has tunnel vision….he has stayed focused and keeps a strong faith. The Wright family strongly believes that if God plants the desire He (God) will provide the path…..and give you the tools to accomplish your dream! Noah’s mom (Amy) says “When you arrive at your goal…..always give Him the glory!”

(It can be a dirty job.......but Noah has always like the mud!)

You can keep up with Noah and his journey by following him on Facebook and on Instagram @ noah_wright007

Click on link below to watch a recent interview with Noah on ZTV-11 (Jamie Cooper Show): 

Noah Wright Interview on ZTV-11 Jamie Cooper Show

2017 Porsche 911 “Unveiling” at Porsche Huntsville

Porsche of Huntsville continues to generate a level of excitement that rivals a rock concert and once again they out did themselves. Last week the dealership invited local Porsche enthusiasts to be the first to see the 2017 911 Carrera, another awesome example of German engineering. The timeless design of the Porsche 911 has wowed the crowds for the last 54 years and continues to be the benchmark for all other sports cars to follow.  Porsche of Huntsville often have special “First Look” or “Unveiling” events to show off the latest vehicles and this was another crowd pleaser. The guest were treated to food and drink in this state-of-the-art facility as they anticipated the next big thing from Porsche of Huntsville.

The showroom was filled with a larger than normal crowd of local VIP’s, salespersons, service team members and local Porsche Club members who wanted to see the sophisticated elegance of this new 2017 911 Carrera 4S in red carpet fashion. Always the gracious hosts and on hand to greet every single guest was General Manager George Jones (Century Automotive Group) and Tracy Jones (President-Century Automotive Group). Even though they both have tremendous responsibilities keeping them busy running the business, it’s always great to see this dynamic duo mingling with clients, friends and family as they also share in the excitement of launching a new vehicle.

General Manager George Jones (Century Automotive Group)

It was hard not to succumb to the temptation to peak under the silk car cover at the new 911, but guest would have to wait till the big moment arrived. Guests enjoyed chatting about their fondest memories in their own 911 and swapped stories of their favorite Porsche vehicles. As George got everyone’s attention, he gave a quick overview of the 911’s storied history and then turned it over to Mark Fry (Porsche Sales) who was more than eager to give the specific details of the new 2017 911 Carrera 4S Coupe in a spectacular color (Graphite Blue Metallic). He reminded the crowd that even though the car looked somewhat similar to the previous 911 model, the trained eye could see many changes….some were even lurking under the skin of this curvaceous body! The all-wheel drive 911 Carrera 4S received the new twin turbocharged 3.0 liter F-6 engine with a whopping 420 HP and 368 lb-ft. of torque. What’s significant about this new engine is an increase of 20 horsepower and 43 lb-ft. of torque over the naturally aspired 3.8 liter F-6 it replaces. Smaller displacement, yet more power should have been expected from a group that continues to push the limits of the performance driving experience! Porsche also boast that the new twin-turbo engine is 12 percent more fuel efficient than the engine it replaces on the new European Driving Cycle.

2017 911 Carrera 4S Coupe (Graphite Blue Metallic)

Other significant changes for this refined 911 included revised headlights, taillights, door handles, rear deck lid and louvers. The new Sport Chrono package adds a steering wheel mounted switch that allows the driver to select between Normal/Sport/Sport Plus/and Individual driving modes. Each one of these selections also adjust the PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) system, PDK transmission, and Sport Exhaust system to give the driver a choice of driving pleasure. The touch-screen PCM (Porsche Communication) connectivity and infotainment system is standard and takes your driving experience to the next level.

Let’s look at the stats of this new 911 Carrera 4S Coupe (as unveiled) and see what all the buzz is about:

Engine – Twin-Turbocharged 3.0 liter F-6

Horsepower - 420 HP

Torque – 368 lb. ft.

Transmission – Manual or PDK (7-speed dual-clutch automatic)

Top Speed – 188 mph

Zero to 60 mph – 3.9 sec. (3.6 sec with PDK and Sport-Chrono Package)

Price – MSRP from $89,400 on the base 911 Coupe ($110,300 on the 911 4S Coupe)*

                     *911 Carrera is offered in 14 different variants including the Coupe, Cabrio, Targa, R, and GT3

As if the crowd was not thrilled enough, Jon Cunha (Porsche Sales Manager) drove into the showroom a 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabrio painted in the ever popular GT Silver and as he lowered the top the guest gathered around to soak in the rich luxurious interior and begin asking questions about all the high-tech gadgets.  To complete the trio of 911’s, another 2017 Carrera S Coupe in the GT Silver color was driven onto the service ramp for guest to enjoy.

It seems all great things must eventually come to an end, but it was safe to say the event was another “must see” for Porsche of Huntsville and guest who enjoyed the festivities could be seen taking one last peak at the new 911’s as they left the showroom.

(Photo courtesy of Porsche USA)

Porsche of Huntsville continues to provide Award winning sales experience, optimal customer service and offer the best showroom experience in the Southeast. Drop by today and see one of the sales associates and let them show you why a recent ad sums it up best “Every Porsche is designed to be Forever Amazing”.  

Video link below: