Classic Pony Cars - James Rupp's 1969 Mustang Mach 1

He first saw it through a chain link fence of a wrecking yard on a hot Arizona day of the summer of 1996. Even with the mangled front end, my dad knew his cars. He prayed as he entered the wrecking yard that it would have a 428CJ under its hood; and it did. He said to himself, "I've got to have it", and the next day he was trailering it home. He was like a little boy with a brand new toy. The body was a mess but the CJ was in fine shape having had a complete overhaul with 2,200 miles on it. After many long weeks of sweat, cursing and hard work, she was ready for the road. WOW! What a ride! Dad loved that car and I follow in his foot steps because I love that car too. I'm very proud of my Father for his accomplishment, considering that less than a year prior to his purchase, he had a stroke that left him without the use of his right side, from head to toe. Being the man that he was , he was determined to get back all that the stroke took from him. He did get the use of his body back, not 100%, but enough to take that sad looking 69' and turn her back into the head-turner she once was.

Without any warning, The Lord took my Dad the afternoon of December 22, 1998. That was the saddest day of my life. The car is still parked in his garage just as he left her. Mom is the Corvette Lady so I get the honors of keeping the Mach polished and tuned just as my dad did. (Don't get me wrong, Mom likes fords too) but I think she leaves the Mustang to me because she knows that I love to polish her just as much as I love to drive her. She's been to several shows in the last couple years. At the last show she brought home a very nice trophy for being judged "The Best of the 60's". Dad would be proud!

In Memory of James Rupp (3/21/43 - 12/22/98) 1969 MUSTANG MACH 1, 428CJ

In Memory of James Rupp
(3/21/43 - 12/22/98)
1969 MUSTANG MACH 1, 428CJ