The Mustang Chronicles: Part 1 - Coming Home

 

I've been looking for a project car on and off for the past two years.  Something I could work on with my son and enjoy.  There were plenty of options within a few hours of my house, but the challenge was finding a good candidate in my price range, and at my skill level.  

I don't have easy access to a good tow rig, and while I can tackle a lot of things, I didn't want a project sitting in boxes, or advertised as "ran when parked... 30 years ago."  I also didn't want something rare, that's hard to find parts for, or that I would be scared of driving because of its value. I wanted a driver. Something I could daily if I wanted, or point down a two lane road for a long weekend.    

Space is limited to one half of a suburban two car garage.  Years ago, I learned a valuable lesson after disassembling the front end of a 924 Porsche in a single car garage - if you are married, and want to stay married, it's a good idea not to kick your wife's car out of the garage in winter.    

I looked at several cars.  There was a 1967 Plymouth Satellite that appeared original, with a numbers matching 383 Commando V8.  It didn't run, but was complete and the owner was willing to drop it off at my house. The body had not rusted away, but the car had been sitting in a barn for a long time and the interior looked like a run down rodent Ramada.  The price was almost too good to be true, which made me hesitate on pulling the trigger.  It turned out it was too good of price, as the car was sold the day after I looked at it. 

I also looked at a 1968 Corvette Stingray.  It was a running, driving, original car in LeMans blue.  Unlike 85% of the Corvettes, it was also a four speed manual. The only problem was that it was at the top of my budget, and the car had a bent frame that had rusted through at the rear suspension mounts.  I was not ready, nor did I have the skill to do a frame off restoration.  

The next few weeks were a blur of cars, a couple of AMC Javelins, more C3 Corvettes, Triumphs and several MGBs.  Then I stumbled upon the 1965 Mustang.  

There was one picture in the add and the price was high, but was listed "or best offer".  It was local, 15 minutes from my house, being sold by the original owner.  It was a completely original, un-restored, un-modified, two door coupe in Wimbledon White with Ivy Gold interior. Three days later, I drove it home. 

And I've been driving it ever since.  

$15,000 Question: Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

There is no reason for a 5,000 pound SUV to exist that has 500 horsepower and can hit 60 miles an hour in 5 seconds from standstill.  Unless it's the Porsche of SUVs, which in this case... is a real Porsche SUV.

The 911 purists may howl, just as they did at the idea of the 996 with its water cooled engine 20 years ago.  But the Cayenne exists to make Porsche money.  Chalk it up to the popularity of crossovers, but the Cayenne easily outsells the 911.  In fact, it outsells the 911, Boxster, and Cayman on a regular basis and has provided Porsche with consistent profits since its introduction.  Profits that have funded the resurrection of its factory racing program and constant improvements to its sports car line.

There are a number of models to choose from, starting with the competent, if docile base V6 model, a V8 model, Cayenne S with the V8, a V8 Turbo, and the S V8 Turbo.  Moving up through the range, the V8 thru the V8 S Turbo provide incremental horsepower gains and more features, including adjustable ride height and sports modes.  You can find a base Cayenne, or one of the lower V8 trim levels for relatively cheap money - often under $10,000 and the S Turbo models are starting to drop below $15,000.

Drawbacks to the car are few, but significant.  The Cayenne has a reputation for being stout and reliable, with the exception of the driveshaft, which can need replacement at around 100K miles, or the coolant tubes, which were originally plastic and often crumbled.  Maintenance and repair costs are higher than what you'd expect of a Honda Pilot, and in line with most high end German cars.

Then there's the fuel economy - 18 MPG highway... if you're lucky, live in the flat lands, and drive like a grandmother.  Put your foot into it, and you can watch the the gas needle move in a lazy arc towards empty.  Private jets get better economy.

But if you're not flying by private jet, there's no better way to cover long distances than in a Porsche Cayenne.  It's rock solid and will cover any terrain with unmatched levels of competence, with the speed and poise of a GT car weighing a ton less.  And it's genuinely fun to drive.  Not in the classic sports car sense, but it is engaging and hustles with the grace of a smaller, lighter vehicle.

A few years ago Honda made a CR-V commercial with Ferris Bueller.  But if middle-aged Ferris had the means, I'd highly recommend he'd pick up a used Porsche Cayenne.  It is so choice.

The 1964 Ford Thunderbird Fading in the Driveway

The way some people are with antiques and stray animals, I am with cars.  It bugs me to see an old car sitting parked in a driveway, untouched or driven.  Not because I mind the sight of derelict cars.  I mind when perfectly good cars aren't driven or stored away protected from the elements.

Such is the case of this 1964 Ford Thunderbird parked near my house.

This T-Bird has been sitting in the same spot for a better part of a year  It's got a wood block under the rear wheels and tape on the window from what looks like a for sale sign that was peeled off some time ago.  Weeds have sprouted under the passenger side wheels and a mix of dust, grime, and pollen covers the faded red paint.

From a distance, the car looks to be in good shape.  There appears to be little or no rust, the suspension doesn't sag, and the interior is faded but usable.  I can't speak to the motor or transmission, but if it has the big 390 V8, it's probably a new set of spark-plugs and fresh gas away from running.

The question is, who will get it running?  Or will its slow demise continue until it eventually becomes too far gone, its owner surrendering whatever dream led it to that driveway, to a tow truck driver for a final ride to the junkyard?