Change Is Good

We have all heard the old saying "a change is good ". When it comes to automotive styling, it usually comes with mixed opinions. I could get into a lengthy discussion, complete with numerous examples from years past, when I thought a new change in vehicle styling was a big mistake. I can also list many examples over the years when I welcomed the change with much excitement. I have myself, once or twice, traded a year old vehicle for the new model because I was so taken by the styling change, along with mechanical upgrades.
For this blog post, I am thinking of the just released photos and information on the changes Ford is making to the 2018 Mustangs. At first glance, I wasn't sure I liked what I was seeing. As the day progressed, and numerous photos started surfacing, along with many engineering and feature details, my impression started to change. The styling changes will always be a matter of personal preference, but we often will warm up to a new design, over time, and after we see the new vehicle in person, and in several colors.
Some of the mechanical changes, such as more power for the V8, and addition of the 10 speed automatic transmission, are welcomed by most automotive enthusiasts. As for the total package, time will tell, but my impression at the end of this first day is "change is good".

The coming 2018 Ford Mustang. (internet photo from Twitter posts 17 January 2017)

Social Media

Something that most people do not know is that I am a loner, a person who doesn't like crowds. A "lone wolf" is a title not often heard these days, but it might apply to me. I do not have many people that you would call actual close friends.
Participating in car shows with my cars, and associating with other "car guys" is the exception to my normal loner personality, and has been for many years. Talking cars, or racing, with other like minded people has been one activity that has brought me out of my shell from time to time.
In recent years, social media has been another option for me to at least communicate with other people. I find it easy to associate with other "car people" and share common interests, with photos and comments. This has been especially true for my involvement on Twitter in the last couple years. I now have over 900 followers, and I follow 107, not a lot compared to many I associate with on Twitter, but for me it's monumental. Many of these people I would like to call friends, and their association I value highly.

My cars have always been my main connection to associate with other people.

Reflections

My cars have always been an important part of my life. I have always thought that a person's car should be a reflection of their personality, especially when that person is a car enthusiast. When I'm out in public, I want to be proud of the vehicle I'm seen driving on the streets. Maybe this is mainly a "car-guy" thing, but I believe it is somewhat true for everyone out there, even if they are unaware of the part of their personality they are displaying to the public.
Now days, there may not be many of us true car enthusiasts on the streets, but we can often spot each other instantly by what we're driving. Even if we're not in our favorite "specialty car", what ever we're driving is usually a nice vehicle, kept clean, and and in good mechanical condition.
Then there is the other end of the scale. We all see them every day, an older, dirty, beat up, ugly, piece of crap, vehicle on the streets. Makes me wonder what type of person would drive such a vehicle, and would want to be seen in public that way. I know there are a lot of things going on in peoples lives, and many circumstances out of our control, but those thoughts cross my mind when I see those vehicles on the streets.
On a recent 2000 mile road trip, over a two day period of time, I witnessed three different instances of very poor, very discourteous, and dangerous driving, displayed by other motorists on the highway. Two out of those three were driving the type of  "piece of crap" vehicles I was just talking about. I can't help but think those vehicles must be a true reflection of those driver's personalities.  We don't want to ever be lumped into that group.

I always hope my car is a reflection of my personality.

The Road Less Traveled

We got to spend some time with family and old friends several times in recent weeks. I have been thinking about some of the conversations we had, and the many twists and turns we have experienced in all of our lives. Nobody could have imagined how our lives would have turned out, for better or worse, right or wrong, we get what we get. The only thing we can do is live the best life we can, try to make the best choice when we get one, and hope and pray it all works out.
There is one reality that keeps running through my mind, the same as it has for the major part of my adult life; "you better be enjoying every day, doing something you love as often as possible, because we never know how long this life will last.".  None of us should look back on our life as an old person and think; "I should have had more fun in my life". 
If you love the outdoors, get out there more. If you love playing music, or singing, do it. If you're a sports fan, go to that "big game" and watch your favorite team play, or play the game yourself. If you're a car enthusiast, drive a car that you enjoy. Go to the car shows and associate with like minded people. It may be the road less traveled, but it will be worth the trip.
What ever you do, don't forget to share it with the younger generation. We live in a turbulent world. The young people need something good to look forward to. Help them find a way to have some fun in their lives as well. These are the things I wish for my kids, and grand kids.
Many readers of this blog have also checked out my book. You can read sample pages at; "Grab Some Gears"

My current passion, my 2015 Mustang GT, on the streets of our Southern Utah home town.

Choosing the Right Tires

Recently I needed to replace the tires on our Dodge Charger. I started weeks ahead of time doing the homework to choose the perfect tires for our car. It was a job I take seriously, choosing the perfect tire type for the type of driving we do, and the weather conditions we expect to be driving in. I wanted tires that improved on some of the features provided by the original equipment tires that came on the car.
The "Tire Rack" web site is a good place to start doing your homework, where you can compare the specifications on many different brands of tires. You can search by the tire size you need, and compare features like; speed rating, tread wear rating, tread design, and cost.You must decide if you need all-season tires, or can use high-performance summer tires. The handling characteristics will vary greatly.
Our Charger originally came with V speed rated tires, so I wanted new tires with W speed rating, that would give me slightly improved high speed handling. I also found tires with a higher tread wear rating, which should add to the miles I expect to get out of the new tires. The cost was right at a local tire store, so the tires were ordered and installed a couple days later.
We have made a couple road trips since getting the new tires, and I'm happy with the handling at high speeds, so all is well. They are all-season tires, so they should do well if we have to make a trip up north in cold weather.
In the past I have had more specialized tires on some of my Mustangs. Like wider rear tires, and narrower front tires, for better drag racing performance. I even had a set of "Drag Radials" on the rear of my 96 Cobra. Having specialized tires always comes at a cost. It's a trade-off, where you loose the ability to rotate tires between all four wheels, in exchange for improved performance.
Lots of things to consider, but making the right choice can be rewarding in your driving satisfaction.

My 87 Mustang had wider tires on the rear, and narrower tires on the front for improved racing performance.

Cars and Music

Do you know people who don't care much for music?  I have been around a few, but that is sure not me. I have been a music lover from even before I became a car lover, and that started in my early teens. As soon as I started driving, music was always part of the experience. You will almost never find me in the car without some of my favorite music playing.
It may have been some of the early 1960's music that sparked my interest in cars, and girls for that matter. The early Beach Boys cars, beach girls, and cruising songs come to mind. My all-time favorite group is still the Four Seasons , especially their hits from the early 1960's. But, my love of music is not limited to the oldies of my youth. I love a lot of different music, and have many favorites, old and new.
We have many ways to listen to music in our cars these days. I enjoy several channels on Sirius satellite radio, and I also have CD's, USB drives, and Bluetooth play lists on my phone to choose from. I'm always discovering forgotten favorites that I download and add to my playlists. A recent PBS special on TV re-introduced me to a forgotten favorite Bee Gees song "Alone" , that I downloaded and added to my play list, right between the Echosmith song "Cool Kids", and "Hello" by Adele.
For me, cars, driving, and good music just go together. Even if I'm in my garage, cleaning, pampering, or working on my cars, I like to have my favorite music playing. To me, it doesn't get any better than that.

Early photo of  The Beach Boys , and some cool cars, a natural combination.

The Lucky One

Car enthusiasts all over the world share a universal love of cars, and we all have those we aspire to own, and those we admire from afar with no chance of ever driving. Many of us are lucky enough to have a car we love, at least once in our lifetime. Some of us get to own several of our favorites over the years. A few of us are blessed to enjoy many cool cars for much of our life. We are the lucky ones.
I have always admired high performance cars, and had the privilege of owning and enjoying many for the last 50 years. At least 17 of which have been Ford Mustangs, including two Mustang Cobras and a Shelby GT 500.
A recent comment by one of my car friends on Twitter made me stop and think. The comment; "you are a lucky man" about one of my posts, with a photo of two of my former Mustangs, made me think about how lucky I have been through out my life. Not just my cars, but with my wife and family as well. I am "The lucky One", and I am very thankful for that.
For more of my story, check out my book at: "Grab Some Gears"     You can also follow me on Twitter at: "Cobra3dD"

Me with my 2007 Shelby GT 500 Mustang, back in the day.