I have a story to tell and apologize if it's too wordy....

I grew up in Southern California and my dad, raised a family of 'car people'! Back in 1964, the new Mustang made it's debut on my dad's birthday, April 17th and I can remember going to the showroom with he and my grandfather to see the new offering from Ford... I was 7 yrs old.

In September '64, when the new Mustang 2+2 Fastback came on the scene, this was the Mustang that my dad fell in love with and promised himself that he'd own one. Subsequently, there was a fellow down the street from my grandparent's house in SoCal, who had bought a brand new white 289 Fastback....

At some point in time, my dad had given the fellow with the Mustang his phone number and told him that if he ever wanted to sell this car, he would like to buy it...

My dad had done this more than a few times and growing up, my dad always drove a brand new company car (brand new full size station wagons every two years), and my mom drove us to school in some type of a hot rod... '32 Ford 2 dr. sedan, '46 Ford Business Coupe, '57 Bel Aire, '64 SS Impala, etc... to name a few.

Then, we moved to Northern California...

In about 1973, the phone rang and it was the guy with the Mustang wanting to sell, which also happened to be the same day that another guy brought over, with my dad's business card in hand, a beautiful '62 Thunderbird which he bought...

40 years later....

Out of all of the cars and over the years, the only car that wasn't for sale was his '65 Mustang...

April 7, 2013, we lost my dad...
There were probably 300 to 400 people at his funeral and the common word that everyone who spoke used to describe my dad during his memorial service, was "Integrity"...

A few months later, I offered to buy Dad's Mustang from my mom and after some discussion and some time, the car was mine...

I joined a couple of Mustang internet forums, "The Mustang Source" being the first and learned of the 50th Mustang Birthday/Anniversary in April 2014...

I signed up and paid for the Las Vegas Venue back in December, shared what I had done with my sister and sent her the link with all of the information. The next day she called back and had reserved 6 rooms at the Luxor, I called my mom and she wanted to go and it has ended up that the dates all work...

April 17 - Our dad's/husband/grandpa's birthday, the Ford Mustang's birthday, exactly a year since we lost my dad and... it's my dad's car!

There are 22 of us going and we are all stoked!!

Last week, I was at my mom's, checked my e-mail and saw a message regarding a 'tie in the MOTM contest' and I shared with my mom that 'Marie' my/our '65 had been nominated for "Mustang Of The Month" and that there is a tie in the voting between us and a beautiful blue newer Mustang. I shared all of the pictures of all of the contestants and she agreed that the newer blue Mustang that we were running against... "Is beautiful!"

The following evening when we checked to see how we were doing in the runoff voting and realized that 'we' had won by one vote, I was processing the win and looked over at my mom who was smiling... with tears in her eyes and she said "Your dad would have been proud!"

I apologize for being so long winded, and now as I read what I have written, I don't know if it's appropriate, or too much information but, it made my mom happy, which is important to me, and it was all of you that made this possible...

Thanks, Rick

I shared a few random pictures...

 

Great story buddy! Hope you all have a great time.
Great way to enjoy memories of your dad.

 

Awesome

 

Great story! Congrats!

 

Wow, Rick, that really is a great story. My condolences on your father's passing, it sounds like he was a stand-up guy and I'm glad you're now looking after his Mustang.

THIS is the sort of thing that makes the Mustang so special.

As mentioned previously, I'm also staying in the Luxor with my wife for the 50th Celebrations. I really hope to meet up with you and your gorgeous Mustang. I shall certainly raise a glass to your father

 

Congrats on a well deserved win Rick. I too am staying at the Luxor and hope to see the beauty in person as I'm sure the photos don't do it justice.

 

What a wonderful story. Congrats on a well deserved win. I know your Dad is looking down smiling. There's nothing like telling someone when they comment on the car that it was "Dads" car.

 

Just awesome. I voted for you and couldn't be happier that I did after reading that.

 

Good read!
Congrats.

 

Thank you, everyone and like I said, I am looking forward to being able to take the car to Las Vegas to meet all of her sisters and their owners!!

 

I really enjoyed the read, great story. Very well deserved and timely honor! Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your time at the 50th, what a great time to honor your father.

 

Thats a very nice story. I am late to the party and didn't get in to vote, but this is the perfect win for this month, this year. Your dad is smiling down upon you I am sure!!! Being a bit younger, I am thrilled that next week I get to spend the time with just my Dear Ole Dad and my car for a whole week sharing in the experience of a lifetime with fellow enthusiasts. We are headed for Charlotte so our paths wont cross unfortunately, but I take your story in mind as I share in your sentiment and will make the best of the time with my dad. Mustang: Connecting Generations for 50 years!

 

That was wonderful! You deserve the win. Congrats to you and your whole family. I know your dad's smiling down on all of you.

Put a happy tear in my eye. Allergies that's it