My Hobby Car of a Lifetime #11: ’96 Mustang GT – In Praise Of The Throwaway Car

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– Posted on July 31, 2024

This photo was taken over a decade ago, In Pacific Grove. It still is wearing the repop Cobra wheels. All photos by author.

 

Sometimes you settle for something that you consider, “just good enough.” Usually, this does not turn out to be a satisfying experience, but sometimes there is an unexpected surprise.

After my Zs, I had decided that I wanted a convertible. At the time that meant two cars to me: A Chrysler Sebring or a Mustang.

While I had some admiration for Chrysler’s later models, I didn’t want an FWD vehicle. Mustangs were available in four, six, or eight cylinder variants.

If I go on the record, my favorite Mustangs are the 1969-70 Mach One models. I think that these are the best looking of the Classic Mustangs. I had a ’66 coupe and those are okay, but just a bit sedate compared to the end of the ’60s models.

I also liked the last of the Fox bodied 5.0 GT models, especially the convertibles. And I would have liked to have bought a 2007 GT instead of the V6 coupe that we ended up with for daily use. However, in 2010 I went shopping for a hobby Mustang.

I still wanted a V8 Mustang, but as usual, it had to be something that I could afford. I looked at several Fox body cars, but they were either beaten to hell, or well-preserved examples that had been taken care of by their owners and those were selling for much higher prices.

Almost 219K and it’s still running good. But for how long?

 

The early SN95 models were better designed than the earlier Fox ones. They have a much better sorted chassis, as well as five-lug wheels and four-wheel disc brakes on the GTs. The frame (unibody) and front cross member are stronger, the rear suspension is better buttoned down, and the new SOHC motor was almost as powerful as the departing 5.0 V8. On paper they developed the same horsepower, but in a different way. They sold well when new, both as V6 and V8 models with the general public, but many enthusiasts were not impressed.

This of course meant that prices on older models were lower, and the cars would sit on the market longer. Because of this, you see a lot of these cars that have been relegated to beater status. They will be used up and thrown away.

Since I was looking for a relatively unpopular car, I thought that I might as well look for a convertible GT. At my age insurance is cheap, and a little penalty in gas mileage isn’t important, since my commute was so short. I had even considered a V6 model for a while. However, my son warned me away quite strongly: “You won’t get any respect with a V6!”

He was right of course.

A good looking little car. Wheels are now ‘2000 New Edge 17 inches. The Saleen wing was a recent addition. Photo taken in 2023.

 

I found my car on CL, less than ten miles from my house. It sounded pretty good, as it was highly optioned, but it did have higher mileage than I would have preferred. It had 151,000 miles (I would have preferred 75-100K), but the price seemed pretty good. The ad stated that the seller was open to offers, but when she saw a mature gentleman (me) show up to look at the car, she figured that I could afford to pay the full asking price!

The tweed Sport seats are still comfy. I sewed in a leather patch on the bolster.

 

The FlowMasters sound great exiting through those dual chrome pipes. The license plate frame reads: Speed on Brother. Hell ain’t half full!

 

She told me that this had been her father’s car and that it had been his baby. It was nice and clean, with an auto and a/c. It was Laser Red with a black top and a gray tweed Sport Seat interior. The engine was completely stock and original, but it had a set of cat-back Flow Master mufflers. These weren’t too loud, and they actually sounded just amazing. The original 17 inch wheels had been swapped for a set of 17 inch. repop chromed Cobra-style wheels. It had an aftermarket CD player, but it had been properly installed without damaging the dash. One of the attractions was that it was equipped with the optional ABS system, an expensive option when the car was new.

The seller’s father had passed away some time ago, and while she liked the Mustang, she had three kids and needed something bigger. Her plan was to buy a used Expedition. The test drive went fine and I agreed to the asking price, provided that she had the car smogged. I told her after it was done, to call me and I would go pick it up.

Hard touch plastic is holding up fine!

 

Both the Fox and SN97 Mustangs had been very popular with the young guys at my office back in the ’90s, but at the time I was driving my Cadillac Seville and could care less about Mustangs.

I initially felt the Mustang was a cheap car, because I was used to my Seville, but over time I accepted that the Mustang was a good car at its price point, so I was more accepting of the ’96 from the beginning. The newer car has a longer wheelbase, which provided for more back seat leg room. It also had a larger trunk and was also a bit wider and six inches longer. But it feels much bigger from behind the wheel when compared to the ’96.

The tinted headlamps were someone else’s bad idea, and quickly replaced. The Mach One front spoiler was my idea.

 

The hood of the 2007 is wide and flat, the fenders are prominent with a hard-edge hood and fender line. Contrast this to the ’96. The hood slopes down towards the grille, and curves away at the sides. The dash of the ’07 is also wide and flat. The ’96 has a beautiful dual cockpit-style dash and provides a bit more intimacy for the driver.

It’s a bit cozy in there, but comfortable. I’ve done over 600 miles in a day.

 

I told myself that I would keep this car in good running condition, and would make any repairs that it needed. I didn’t want a driveway ornament or an unreliable old car that I couldn’t trust. I only had one hobby car at this time, and I was willing to spend whatever it took to maintain this car.

This was an unusual level of commitment, especially for me. It has continued up until today.

Replacing the convertible top was the biggest expense up to now, It cost me 1,000 dollars almost ten years ago.

 

Over time I came to appreciate the car’s good qualities.

At first, I thought that the styling was kind of blobby and generic. But after years of thought and consideration, I now maintain that the car displays a very modern evolution of the original Mustang’s concept. The Mustang II also attempted to do this but was not as successful. The ’96 has a modern wedge profile that still blends in with the contemporary traffic mix.

Still sharp looking in my eyes!

 

Buying this car started a process that has spanned over 14 years. I have a folder that is over an inch thick with receipts for all kinds of repairs and maintenance. Starting with heater hoses, idle air module, belts and radiator hoses, transmission service and seals and gasket replacements. Tires, brakes, batteries, CD players, (on my third one) odometer gear replacement. Not to mention two intake manifolds.  Two fuel filler grommets, front control arms and tie rod ends. The convertible top was also replaced.

I mildly customized my car over the years. The Cobra wheels were replaced with ‘2000 New Edge silver painted 17 in. wheels. I had found a Saleen S351 rear wing, which really makes the looks of the car. It sits back three inches off the deck lid and lengthens the lines of the car. Up front, I added a Mach One style lip spoiler under the bumper. The car could use a repaint, it’s getting pretty faded with some clear coat oxidation, but I think that it still looks quite presentable.

I had the fuel pump replaced after it died at just under 200,000 miles. I recently replaced the radiator and the second CD player. I have done most of the work myself.

My car is currently sitting at 219,000 miles and still runs quite well. If does use some oil, approx 1/2 qt. per thousand miles. Every repair has been done during the 68,000 miles that I’ve owned it.

Besides the oxidation on the bumpers,  and there’s a “bald spot” behind the driver’s door.

 

It was there when I bought it. I wonder what caused this?

 

It seems like that is a long list of repairs and maintenance, and there’s more work that I haven’t detailed. If you want a reliable vehicle you have to make an investment.

The car has rewarded me by being very reliable, and I have driven it all over the state. It has made numerous trips to Southern California, as well as to Lake Tahoe, Reno, Clear Lake, Mendocino and Pismo Beach, that was in addition to it being one of my daily drivers for the first ten years that I owned it.

This was the car that I used to teach my youngest daughter to drive. She has never been that interested in driving and she delayed getting her license until she was eighteen. The Mustang has a relaxed temperament that makes it comfortable for a new driver.

The painting: Little Mustang.

 

She made it the subject of a high school art class project and I have a framed painting of the Mustang hanging in my den. At least part of it!

During the time that I’ve owned the car, I’ve become quite fond of it. I’ve often said that if I could only have one hobby car, I could be quite satisfied with this Mustang –Though that hasn’t stopped me from putting it up for sale a couple of times!

Even with the elevated mileage, I think that this car could last me for the duration of my enthusiast lifetime. Annually, I put very few miles on it, as it is now used only as a hobby car. I see many Mod 4.6 model Fords offered for sale with over 250,000 miles. I’ve got a 30,000 mile cushion until my car reaches that point! That could take another ten years since my mileage is accumulating at a rate of only 2,500 -3,000 miles a year.

Mike Mulligan and Mary Anne.

 

One of my favorite books that I read as a young boy was “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel”. Mike and his mechanical partner, Mary Anne, were a team that helped build a lot of the modern infrastructure enjoyed by everyday Americans. Mike was very proud of Mary Anne, he worked her hard, but he took great care of her. He fixed her, and rebuilt her continually, which kept her in tip top shape. And because of this, “she never grew old.” Over time, newer types of shovels, like electric and diesel models, became popular. Eventually Mike could no longer find construction jobs for himself and Mary Anne. But he refused to retire or scrap her. He roamed the country looking for jobs that would allow him and his steam shovel to participate. Fortunately, he finds a final challenge that he and Mary Anne can overcome as a team.

I see this story as a beautiful tale of the relationship between Man and Machine. Together they form a team that can accomplish great things. Mike’s commitment to Mary Anne keeps her capable. However, this requires a long-term commitment on the human’s part.

There is a special kind of car enthusiast that maintains that level of commitment to a chosen vehicle. Like Mary Anne, their cars are obsolete in modern terms, but they are still capable of remarkable performance.

Sometimes I think that I could be that type of enthusiast. I’m certain that my Mustang would continue to be a willing partner. Only time will reveal the outcome of this story.