[Home] [Up]

"There's Nothing Like a Mustang"!

A true NZ Mustang driving experience.
(Health Warning. Non Mustang owners may feel sick reading this!)

Everyone who owns and regularly drives a good looking Mustang in New Zealand, knows how much attention these cars get when out on the road. Ive owned several models, and never cease to be surprised at the number of heads that follow my progress.

In 2001 I owned a bright red 1970 model. Basically a weekend driver, but I also liked to take it to work occasionally especially if the weather was sunny, or the car hadn't had a run for a week or two. One day my "daily driver" 4x4 suffered an electrical problem that disabled it for 2 days, just as I needed it to urgently drive to Napier for an overnight business trip. No worries I thought, I'll take the Stang. And so that's just what I did! The following is the story of that trip.

Off to Napier

I headed out 7 am in the morning and noticed immediately that there was nowhere to put my cell phone. (Mental note ..get that centre console installed soon!). First stop, the newly opened Otaki BP service station which has the new 98 octane "Ultimate" petrol....great when you have a V8 with 11:1 compression ratio that is only just able to survive on 96. This time, three forecourt attendants hurry over and offer assistance with filling up. One engages me in a detailed conversation about how he's always wanted a Mustang "just like this..". The checkout operator inside observes the car through the window for several seconds, sighs and (she) comments, "Cool car....I wish it was mine....". After handing over serious money for the tank fill-up, I comment back that she may be less enthusiastic about the car if she was paying the petrol bill. She says it would be worth it.. and I have to agree with her there. There's nothing like a Mustang.

Otaki BP

The weather was beautiful all the way up to Napier, and I enjoyed cruising along at only slightly illegal speeds. I wound the drivers window down so I could enjoy smelling the warm country spring air, and listen to the music of the V8 throbbing gently along behind me, (changing to a deep growl as I squirted past slower traffic). There's' nothing like a (V8) Mustang!

Self Clearing Roads

Its interesting, when you are driving a Mustang in NZ (the 69-73 models especially), how the road tends to "self clear" in front of you. I came up behind a slow camper van in the tight twisty Manawatu gorge, one of those big white truck-like things that overseas tourists hire to see the country. I hadn't followed it for more than a kilometre when it abruptly pulled over into a lay-by, and a hand out the window enthusiastically waved me past with a friendly toot. (Perhaps one of our American Mustang colleagues visiting NZ, I speculate....?). A few more kilometres and I cruise up behind a lady in her Toyota Corona. I sit quietly behind her for maybe a minute waiting for a passing opportunity. Suddenly she notices me in her mirror, and pulls over into the road verge, showering me with gravel. Gurrr.... more stone chips on the front spoiler, but I sweep past into open road again. And so the process continues, all the way into Napier. There's nothing like a Mustang.

As always I choose the back route through Tikokino (SH 50), and get an almost traffic free run into Fernhill. Except that is, for the guy in the council 4WD van, who on seeing me in his rear-view mirror, decides that trying to outrun me would be great fun. What follows was some hairy cornering acts that leave me wondering about his sanity. I opt to stop for a moment on the side of the road and let him get way ahead, rather than risk being the trigger for a potential accident.

A brief stop at the historic Village of Onga Onga, to buy a drink. Only 30 sec off SH 50.

All the way, Ive noted maybe a hundred or more heads, young and old, male and female, follow my passing with varying degrees of interest. After all, there's nothing like a Mustang.

Motels

After arriving at my business meeting and completing my day's work, I drive on into Hastings and begin the search for a motel for the night. At the first location I try, the owner comes out the moment I park outside his office. "Have you got a reservation he asks anxiously?". "No, I'm sorry I haven't" , I say. "Damm!" he says, I would have loved to have had this car parked out front, and we're booked out!!". "I was a mechanic for years before I retired", he starts, .. and another classic Mustang conversation follows... Eventually he helpfully gives directions to another motel where he says I will "get looked after", and sure enough I was. The owner of the new motel is another "car guy" who is in the process of restoring a corvette. In discussion it becomes clear that he was having second thoughts and although he intended to finish the vette, he was already planning his next project, and a Mustang was high on his desirability list. After all, there's nothing like a Mustang.

After my evening meal, I decide to pop out to the local service station and top up the fuel tank, so I would be all ready for the trip home the next day. Once again I witnessed the familiar forecourt attendant sprint competition to get to the car first. "Wow.. super cool car mister" I am offered by the successful teenager as I unscrew the fuel cap, followed by the familiar "What's under the bonnet?" and, "What's she worth?". On departing he says "Gee, if I had that cool car... think of the chicks I could pull..!!.".

As I drive away I ponder the incredible appeal these cars have across all ages....even today's teenagers brought up on a diet of Jap import turbo hatches, still crave to own a 30 year old muscle car....but of course there's nothing like a Mustang.

Next day..

Next morning I'm packing my overnight gear into the car outside the motel unit, when a guy from the unit next door, comes racing out in his dressing gown, dripping water from the shower he just stepped out of. "This your car?... Its in great condition.. did you restore it yourself.? Years ago when I was in Brisbane, I drove a freshly imported 428 Cobra Jet ..wow could that thing go.. cleaned out all the local competition....". etc. After 15 mins I explained that I had to go as I was running late, (and there was still a brief chat with the motel owner to go as I checked out). I counted myself lucky to arrive at work only 10 mins late!

Its lunch time, and my work colleague generously offers to take me home for a cooked meal. I ask if he would like to go in the stang, and he's delighted.. "Never had a chance to ride in one", he tells me. The look on his face, reminds me of the day I first drove the car ....a mixture of awe, fear, and excitement. There's nothing like a Mustang.

Heading back..

Mid afternoon, and I'm heading back home again. The weather is great again, the drive is fabulous.. except for several sections of mucky road works that leave crud all over the lower half of the car, and a sheep truck that streams green goo out behind it which coats the bonnet and windscreen.. yuck!

(A pause in the picturesque Manawatu Gorge)

Finally I'm back home again. The car ran faultlessly, (but it needs a major cleanup!), used a tank and a 1/4 of petrol, and collected several hundred interested glances along the way. (No chance of ever driving about unnoticed in a car like this that's for sure) ....because..

..... there certainly is, nothing quite like, a Mustang!