Need For Speed

The "Need For Speed" movie is out and playing everywhere. If you read the reviews, the critics will have your expectations pretty low, but, I just got back from seeing it, and it was spectacular. Maybe it's the old street racer in me, but I totally enjoyed this movie. I think most "car guys", and "car gals", who see it will agree that the cars are the true stars. Sure, the movie stunts, crashes, and over-the-top chase scenes are pure action movie fantasy, but the awesome on-board sounds of these top shelf performance cars are what dreams are made of. If you have ever been a racer, a muscle car fan, or just like high performance action, go see this movie. You won't be disappointed. Also, race fans, take a moment to check out my book; "Grab Some Gears - 40 Years of Street Racing" just follow this link; Grab-Some-Gears

The modified 2014 Shelby GT500 from the "Need For Speed" movie.

Steamboat Springs

We are celebrating 50 years of Ford Mustangs this year, and with that, we can expect many local car shows to feature Mustangs in the spotlight. There are special national celebrations for the Mustang in April on the 50th. anniversary of the iconic cars introduction. But, if making it to one of those special events is not something you can do, there are other, maybe lesser known, Mustang shows that may be just as good, or even better. One such event is the "Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup" in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This show is held in June every year, and is a spectacular Mustang show. I have attended several times and have never been disappointed. For anyone living in the Western U.S., it is a show well worth attending for any Ford or Mustang enthusiast.  Another great Mustang show is the one held in Sturgis, South Dakota. I haven't been to that one, but some of my family members have, and I hear good reports. Check out this link to the; "Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup" .

Photo from the "Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup" in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

To Be A "Car Guy"

What does it take to be officially recognized as a "car guy"?  Is that how your friends and family see you?  Is that how you think of yourself? For me, the answer to those questions would be yes. I believe I've earned that title. Many guys are "car guys" at some point in their life, but it doesn't become their life-long passion. And I don't want to exclude the ladies here, there are "car gals" as well, though they are even more rare than the car guys. For us, our cars are much more important than just transportation. They are a great source of pride, and driving them is an enjoyable experience. We want cars that are something fun to drive, and have the looks to go with it. We also get plenty of enjoyment out of simply cleaning and maintaining them. When we hit the street in our favorite car, we're the whole package, our real self, and the car is the wrapper we display to the world. Yes, I am a car guy, and proud of that title, and probably will be for the rest of my life. If you want to read more about this, check out my book, just follow this link; Grab-Some-Gears

Me with my 2013 Mustang GT in Southern Utah.

Factory Supercharged

There have been a lot of cool Mustangs in its 50 year history. Among the most famous are the 428 Cobra-Jets and BOSS 429s of the late 1960s, and any Mustang enthusiast can recall others they have admired over the years. Of all the high performance models we have enjoyed, none have been more awesome than the factory supercharged Cobras and Shelby GT500s of the last 11 years. I have owned two of those examples, and they have been the high point of the performance cars I have loved, so far. Starting with my 2003 "Terminator" Cobra, I quickly became a big fan of factory supercharged engines. From the tire shreading torque right off idle, to plaster-you-into-the-seat acceleration, they are a thrill to drive. (the rev-limiters function very well, thank you Ford engineers). These cars respond especially well to minor performance upgrades as well. My "03" Cobra was easily tuned to over 500 horsepower, which was a preview of what I would get from my 2007 Shelby GT500. It started out with 500 horsepower, and was easily tuned to around 575 with cat-back exhaust and cold-air intake upgrades. The magic of fuel injection, computer controls, and factory supercharging, it don't get much better than that. For more of my story, follow this link to check out my book; Grab Some Gears

My 2007 Shelby GT500 and my 2003 "Terminator" Cobra.

More Than One Mustang

As we celebrate the Mustang's 50th anniversary this year, I have been reflecting on the Mustangs I have owned over the years. For a life-long car enthusiast, having owned many examples of my favorite car is a dream come true. For a 7 year period, between 2001 and 2007, I always owned two Mustangs. Sometimes I had one for sale, after purchasing the next one, but during that time I usually had two at once. It started in the fall of 2001 when I bought a new 2002 GT, and still had my yellow "99" GT. When they announced the specs of the awesome 2003 SVT Mustang Cobra (the "Terminator" cobras) I ordered one, and put the "99" GT up for sale. I still had the 2002 GT when my new Terminator Cobra arrived. I had both of them for over a year, then traded the 2002 GT in on a new 2003 Mach1. For the next few years, I had two Torch red 2003 Mustangs in my garage. It was a lot of fun to show them together at local car shows. I sold the Mach1 when I ordered my 2007 Shelby GT 500.

The 2003 Mach 1 and 2003 Terminator Cobra in my garage.

Show Your Mustang

Many of us "car ehthusiasts" like to take our pride-and-joy to car shows. We get to rub sholders with other like-minded people, share our love of cars with them, and present our passion to the general public. It's great to answer questions, share car stories, and let our enthusiasm rub off on those people interrested enough to walk through a car show. Especially the young people who show an interrest in cars. Over the years I have noticed that some cars attract a lot more attention than others. They stand out in a crowd, even when surrounded by other similar vehicles. One such car for me was our yellow 1999 Mustang GT. I would see people comming down a line of similar cars, looking them over as they go, then skip over the last few and walk up to make a closer inspection of my car. The color was very bright and different than the typical colors around, and that was a big part of it. I also spend more time than some at detailing my car, once it's parked in my spot at a show. That can make a difference too. If you have a cool car, take it to a show, and share your passion with the public.

My yellow 1999 Mustang GT.

Modern Mustang Mechanicals

In the mid-1990's, Ford made the move away from the old-style, push-rod, V8 that was designed in the 1960's. Over the years, the 5.0 (302) V8 had gone through many mechanical upgrades, and could still hold its own on the streets, but it was time for an update. The overhead-cam V8 from the full size Ford would be the new Mustang engine. In 1996, the Mustang Cobra got a double-overhead-cam, 32 valve V8, a spiced up version of a Lincoln engine. This was a major change. For us long-time Mustang racers, it would take some adjusting of our driving style. The new V8 had a very different power curve, peeking at a much higher RPM. To get the most out of it, you had to drive it more like a European performance car, than the American muscle car we were used to. In recient years, with the current 5.0 V8, they have managed to tune in plenty of low end torque, to go along with the high RPM horsepower. Kind of the best of both worlds.

My 1996 Mustang Cobra on the Drag Strip in 1997.