| Ever since I can remember the Ford Mustang had | | | | behind me due to the exhaust noise, to a few |
| a place in my heart. The first Mustang that stood | | | | other reasons that I will not mention. That was |
| out for me was somewhere around 1971 when a | | | | the only time that I wished it did not get |
| neighbor has a New Red Mach 1 Mustang in their | | | | attention. But it was still fun! This Mustang as with |
| driveway. I would drive my bicycle past it and | | | | the 1967 both required quite a bit of work to get |
| wondered, how the words on the trunk lid were | | | | them to the fine condition they ended up with. As |
| pronounced, Match 1, Mock 1, March 1, Mach Won, | | | | with the 1967 requiring lots of body work, this |
| etc. But no matter how it was pronounced, the | | | | stang only needed minor body work and paint. |
| long sloping roof, rear louvers, and wing (as I | | | | The major work for this beast was under the |
| called it) was captivating. Five years later I | | | | hood. Unfortunately the original engine did not last |
| purchased my very own pony car. Taking $300 | | | | long with me, and one night it self destructed with |
| of my hard earned money from a part time | | | | one hole as large as a coke can in the block. Being |
| stock boy job, I purchased a 1967 Mustang | | | | an optimist, this was an opportunity. At the local |
| Convertible from my boss. The only problem was | | | | junk yard, I was able to find a used 351 Cleveland |
| that I was 15 years old, and could not even get a | | | | and get my hands dirty once again. Nine months |
| learners permit for another year. That year was | | | | later, and spending every cent I had from my |
| a great opportunity to get my hands greasy, and | | | | part time job, this engine was completely rebuilt |
| learn about body work. Yes, this stangs floor | | | | inside and out with a flair for performance. A |
| boards were rotted in areas, as well as the rear | | | | Crane cam, Edelbrock intake manifold, Holley |
| quarters. This experience opened the door for | | | | carburetor, Hooker Headers, and a few head and |
| my love of this special breed. Thirty years later | | | | block modifications boosted the power even |
| and having filled the stable at one time or another | | | | more. It not only looked like a power house from |
| with a 1970 Mach 1, 1989 GT, and now a 1969 | | | | the outside, but when the hood was popped |
| Mach 1 and another 1970 Mach 1 my desire for | | | | open, it showed it even more. The power from |
| this car has not waned. Each one of these | | | | this engine was brought to the road with a set of |
| Mustangs had something special.The 1967 Mustang | | | | Jetson Revenger 50 series tires in the back, and |
| with its power convertible roof was a gem in its | | | | 70 series in the front providing that racing raked |
| own right. The Mustang badge in the grill was | | | | look, as well as plenty of smoke when a burnout |
| what people seen coming towards them. As it got | | | | was desired.These experiences with the used |
| closer, they realized it was making an even bolder | | | | stangs made me want to purchase a new one. In |
| statement with the finned side scoops, the slight | | | | 1989 a Mustang GT fully optioned was corralled. It |
| rumble of the 289 engine and when the roof was | | | | was a great car, and was everything that Ford |
| down it could be even more captivating. This was | | | | advertised and more. The problem was, it was |
| not the power hungry, throaty loud exhaust | | | | off the shelf, not personalized, and anyone with |
| version, but rather, a classic car that you wanted | | | | money could purchase one.Going full circle, the |
| to go slow where heads would turn. Fords | | | | impression that the 1970 Mustang made could not |
| creation was a masterpiece in its own right, and | | | | be squelched. Twenty five years after my first |
| today it can draw a similar level of desire as a | | | | Mach 1, I fell upon a 1969 Mach 1 that was |
| Picasso.The 1970 Mach 1 was in a class of its | | | | unbelievable. It was a hidden gem that had the |
| own, and is still there even today. There were a | | | | original paint, chrome, and interior, as well as |
| massive number of options that could be ordered | | | | 28,000 miles. Yes, that is not a typeo, twenty |
| including engines, transmissions, rear ends, and | | | | eight thousand miles. This was like buying it new, |
| body accents, but the goal was a checklist for | | | | except a much greater price tag. Being in such |
| what level of performance you desired, or could | | | | great condition, there was no way I could get my |
| afford. Do not get me wrong, even the smallest | | | | hands dirty, since there was nothing to do except |
| engine still roared with performance and turned | | | | keeping it shining. Six months later this 1969 Mach |
| heads. In many cases, before you seen this | | | | 1 had a sibling, a 1970 Mach 1 in the stall next to |
| Mustang approaching you could hear it. The rumble | | | | it. After 25 years since my first Mach 1, I was |
| of power, and that deep throaty exhaust made | | | | making up for lost time by having 2. Someone |
| people stand still to see what was coming. | | | | once told me that "You just can't have one" as |
| Without seeing the car, people anticipated a | | | | they referenced their 2 Camaros, and I now |
| Chevy, Mopar, or a Ford. As the car became | | | | believe that. Checkout for pictures of these cars, |
| visible, the front chin spoiler and low ground | | | | and many others.Anthony Palmieri founded |
| clearance gave the appearance of a race car, and | | | | Palmieri Concepts after 20 years of creating |
| it was! This Mustang was white and optioned with | | | | custom art work for his own pleasure and |
| shaker hood, and the large bold black stripe. The | | | | enjoyment. This business grew out of a love for |
| shaker hood was the key feature for me. When I | | | | motor vehicles and was started to share with |
| was at the lights I would rev the engine so people | | | | others what started out as a hobby. After taking |
| could see it shake from side to side as if the | | | | how his own pride and joys (yes this really |
| engine was so powerful that it was trying to | | | | started with family pictures and not cars) and |
| burst out. The other outstanding features were | | | | combining them with creativity, it became obvious |
| the rear window louvers or slats, and the rear | | | | that many others would like to showcase their |
| spoiler further adding to that racing car look. This | | | | trophies as he has done. He has also written |
| car was a head turner and an attention grabber, | | | | numerous articles on automotive art and collector |
| which in some cases was not a good thing. I recall | | | | car photography. |
| a few times when the blue lights were flashing | | | | |