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