Original Owners Thread

[RPM 1,241]

Thanks, the car isn't bad either

Great attitude after how many years of marriage?

[Mach1 Driver 596]

Great attitude after how many years of marriage?

We had been married for 32 years when she passed from lung cancer. She was 52.

[RPM 1,241]

We had been married for 32 years when she passed from lung cancer. She was 52.

Arrghh! So sorry. I feel like an a$$. Didn't realize the pic was from your post. 2002 isn't that long ago, condolences brother. And thank you for your service.

[Machspeed 219]

Thanks, the car isn't bad either

Exactly!

[tim42 13]

Hi Tim42, I see that we're about the same age. Its good to know there are other original owners- I thought I was a loner on here. What a coincidence that we have such similar cars. I can't really tell if yours is a 69 but we both have fastbacks that are Jade Black. Mine is a automatic, yours is a four speed. and it sounds like we probably have the same engine, a 351w 2v. Some of the "kids" on here speculate that the original owners just don't hang out on the forums. I don't think that is necessarily the case- I don't think that there are that many of us left. Most of the cars have been sold or the owners have passed. I follow the forums from necessity- the car is old and needs help, and I'm 19 years older than it!

 

I've lived in southern California most of my life: Downey, South Gate, then Lake Forest. When I retired we moved to the burbs of Atlanta. I do not like Georgia's weather but it is 27% less expensive than living in California which is blessed with liberal politicians and the highest taxes in the nation. Its good to finally live in a red state. 

I was 19, had done the active duty portion of my reserve hitch, and had started working while going to junior college at night. I married my childhood sweetheart. I won't deny that I wanted a Vette but since it was almost twice as much, the Stang was a very nice alternative. My Father-in-law loaned us the money- actually, he held the title until we paid him back. It was about $3800, while a Vette would have been about $6200. The dealership was Taylor Slayton Ford in Huntington Park, which I believe is long since gone.

The car replaced my wife's 57 Chevy. I was driving my first car that I had bought in high school, which was a 64 Chevy. I always gave my wife the good cars to drive while I dealt with the beaters. I haven't had a lot of cars, but the Mach was the most reliable of any. She drove it for about 25 years and finally said she wanted something newer. I kept it, always wanting to restore it, always loving the lines. It became a garage queen, and after my wife passed away 14 years ago I did some work on the car to get it running again. We had some trouble with the A/C early on, and I had to replace the water pump once, but that was it until I let it sit too long unused. Then I had to rebuild the brakes, and the FX transmission leaks at the shift linage (after repeated seal replacements), and the PS had to be rebuilt (and still leaks) but that's about it. She runs but needs a lot of attention, and marks her territory everywhere she goes. I have big plans for her now that I'm retired and have time to devote to a restoration. Oh, and stay off my lawn.

+I have a fastback, not a Mach 1.  Base V-8 was the 302 2bbl.  Paid $2800.00 for it.  Dearborn made, got it mid March '69.

[RPM 1,241]

Tim42, is that your signature in Russian below your name?

[Raven R code 281]

I have a picture (actually a Kodak slide) of a brand new 70 (mach 1?) that I took when I was 4 at my dads gas station.....I will dig it out and get it transferred.

[tim42 13]

Tim42, is that your signature in Russian below your name?

No it's something i got on this forum.  It means something like I don't know what you're talking about but I like your goat. Thanks for noticing.  Happy New Year.

[RPM 1,241]

Uh, yep. I translated it when I thought it might be spam. If you added it that's cool, and funny. If not and you can't delete it I will. And Happy New Year!

[tonyinsandiego 37]

Thanks Mach 1 Driver,

 

Awesome pic.  Love pics of the cars back in the day.  My condolences for the loss of your beautiful wife.