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These past few days, I have been trying to think of a topic for this month’s letter. I was really struggling for something to say. I know some of you are having a hard time believing that someone that talks as much as I do, could ever be in search of something to talk about. Well it’s true. Then I received a phone call and that’s when I realized what I needed to write about and what I had to do. I had to get serious, even if it was only for a short time. Everyone knows I joke around a lot, sometimes too much, that’s me. This phone call changed that for a moment. T he call was from fellow club member Connie O’Connor. Her thirty-seven year old son David Blake was just diagnosed with inoperable and terminal cancer. To make it even worse, David has a little five year old son. I won’t get into all the details, I’m sure you get the picture. It was a devastating call about a horrible thing. Now Connie isn’t after your pity and sympathy. That is not what this is all about.

What all this leads up to is friendship. This club started out as a group of people with Mustangs in common, but along the way we have found something much more to bind us together. It’s friendship. Sounds corny, I know, but it’s true. Connie called me and just needed a friend. For that I am honored.

No kind words I could come up with, nor anything I could say or do, will ever stop her hurt, but maybe her being able to talk to someone might help ease her burden, even if only for a short time. I’ll say it again. She needed a friend.

I recently attended Orrie Engle’s viewing and saw an amazing amount of fellow Mustangers in attendance. They weren’t there because of cars. They were there because a friend had passed away.

That’s what makes the Suncoast Mustang Club different. We’re friends. It’s not always sad times. There have been some good times too. How about all the shows, events, picnics, dinners, trips, birthdays, anniversaries, and get-togethers we’ve attended over the years. Or how about all the kids and grandkids this club has seen in its 27 years. Looking back through old photographs of some of these events I realize it’s not just about the cars. It’s so much more than that.

Life on this earth, with all its ups and downs, is only temporary, but the friends we make along the way, I think will last forever.

We didn’t have much in the way of business to discuss which was a good thing because Jim and Lucy Carroll had an awesome slide show on their Florida Pony Drive.

They had a very good time going to some of the weird and out of the way places in Florida. They visited caverns in north Florida and made their way down to Cassadega which is renowned for spiritualists and psychics. They also did a cruise-in in Oldtown that was loads of fun. As always Jim and Lucy had a great time meeting up with old friends and making some new friends along the way.

Don’t forget next meeting is at Quaker Steak and Lube on August 11^th at 7:00 p.m.

SMC’s Second Annual Summer Bowling “Party” will be held on Sunday, August 16^th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Twedt’s Bowling Center 13100 Seminole Boulevard (Just south of Ulmerton Road across from Largo Mall) We have 13 lanes reserved and the cost is only $10.00 per person which includes rental of those fashionable bowling shoes. During this time we’ll have unlimited use of “our” lanes and during part of this there will even be “Galaxy” Bowling which makes use of special lighting etc. This is a great way to have a cool time together on a Sunday Afternoon. Please let John Stockowski or Bill Dellert know if you are planning to attend. Tell them at the upcoming meeting or e-mail or call Bill no later than Thursday, August 14^th so we can let the bowling center know how many of us are attending. Like last year, those interested will get together at a local restaurant to have dinner and compliment each other what great bowlers we are after we bowl. This is a fun activity and we hope lots of members will attend.

If you’ve been reading your newsletters you know that members have been encouraged to let the rest of us know what year Mustang they think is best. Here’s what John Moody has to say…

Ok I partially agree with 1967, if it’s a Shelby! Yes a lot of the features on the 2005 – 2008 resemble the “67” Mustang! But when you talk “muscle” let’s look at the 1969 “Sportsroof”. In 1969 the Mustang was really flexing its muscles (GT, Mach I, Boss 302, Boss 429, and the Shelby). First let’s look at the 1969 GT, still true to its roots, well sort of, base engine 351 Windsor 2V, with optional 351 Windsor 4V, 390 4V, and two 428’s the 428 Cobra Jet, and the 428 Super Cobra Jet (drag pack) The interior was the base vinyl bucket seat, and camera finished dash, hood scoop, and hood pins. Now the next “NEW” for “69” was the Mach I. The Mach I came standard with the 351 Windsor 2V, optional 351 Windsor 4V, 390 4V, 428 Cobra Jet, and the 428 Super Cobra Jet. The Mach I interior was something Mustang had never seen before (and would not see again until 2003). Comfort weave seat upholstery on high backed bucket seats, standard console, rally clock, wood grain appointments, molded door panels, and “rim blow” three spoke steering wheel. E-70 X 14 Goodyear tires, wrapped around chrome style steel wheels, hood scoop, racing hood pins, and “black out” on the hood .This car screamed performance, (even standing still). Now back to 2005 – 2008, OK the dash resembles the 1967, but in my option the seats (optional leather) resemble the 1969 Mach I/Shelby seats, the three spoke steering wheel, the hood scoop on the GT appearance package (well need I say more) 1969 all the way, rear wing again 1969 (thanks to the Boss 302), and the GT grill resembles the 1969 4 headlight grill (well maybe 1967 Shelby). Don’t get me wrong the Mustang evolution has given birth to a number of great 1st generation models, but I feel “1969” was by far the coolest looking (even standing still) Mustang to grace the show rooms in 1969.

Thanks John for your contribution. He’s made some good points but if you have a different viewpoint please share it with the club via the newsletter. So far Bill Dellert thinks 67 is best and now John has weighed in with the 69. Let’s hear it from the rest of you Mustangers out there.

I am grateful to the members who have provided articles or other information, but I continue to ask for articles from YOU. “Auto-biographies”, technical information or anything else you’d like to share with club members is greatly appreciated. Don’t worry about perfect spelling or grammar, just write SOMETHING and e-mail it, snail mail it, or give it to me at the August meeting. Thanks, Bill

A wonderful tribute to our 'greatest generation' and arguably the most beautiful fighter plane ever built and the men who flew her. Brought a tear to my eye, especially near the end. Turn the sound on and enjoy. P51 Mustang and memories

Information about the 45^th Anniversary Show which will be next April in Birmingham, Alabama is now posted on the MCA website. www.mustangevents.org

SMC Dinner Meeting at Quaker Steak and Lube Restaurant – Monday, August 11^th. Bring your Mustang and come share dinner with us. Meeting begins at 7:00 PM. As always they will have special places to park and a section for us to eat. Quaker Steak & Lube is located at 10400 49^th Street North. (It is just north of where 49^th Street passes under US 19.)

SMC Second Annual Bowling Party – Sunday, August 16^th. Unlimited bowling from 5 to 7 at Twedt’s Bowling Center. Cost is $10.00 per person including shoe rental. Twedt’s Bowling Center is located at 13100 Seminole Boulevard. (It is just west of Largo Mall)

SMC Monthly Meeting at AutoWay Ford – Monday, September 8^th. This meeting will feature a guest speaker who will discuss car detailing and detailing products. Come receive some valuable information and maybe a free gift as “show season” will soon be here.

Mustang Club of Tampa will be hosting their annual Mustang, Shelby, & Ford Round-Up on Saturday, October 25 at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa. Flyers will be available at upcoming SMC meetings or you can call Chris Meyer 813 9631-3223 or e-mail info@mustangcluboftampa.com

Display your Mustang at the final NASCAR race of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, November 16^th. Information will be available soon, possibly at the August meeting for this event. If you are a NASCAR fan, this is a great opportunity to see what goes on up close and personal in the pits the day of a major race.

Plans are underway to once again have SMC involved in the Toys for Tot’s Drive to help underprivileged kids have some toys for Christmas. Our club has been participating in this for the past few years and we are working on this event again. The date and time has not yet been set.

Speaking of Christmas, we have set a date and place for the annual Christmas Dinner. It will once again be at Mainland’s and the date will be Saturday, December 13^th. More to come…

We hope you will keep Jessica Kapell in your thoughts and prayers after the loss of her sister, Barbara Gorney, who passed away on July 16th in Warsaw, Poland after battling cancer for one year.

We also want you to keep Connie O’Connor in your thoughts and prayers as she deals with her son’s illness.

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2000 Mustang GT Convertible, 5spd, 60K, deluxe model, Performance Red with Tan leather interior and top. Eibach springs, cold induction, BF Goodrich T/A's almost new, Flowmaster Exhaust System, CD/Cassette, Bra, Cover and more. VERY Nice Condition. Call Peter 727 559-7177 or home 727 447-7376 $8950.00 Pictures can be found in the Auto Trader.

1966 Mustang Coupe - Springtime Yellow with Black Vinyl Top and Interior. 289 (C-Code) V-8, Cruise-O-Matic Transmission, Power Steering and Brakes. Completely restored with all paperwork and maintenance records. An Excellent Occasional or Daily Driver Show Car which has won Gold and Silver Awards in these classes. Asking $18,000 or best offer. Contact Donna Park 727-432-8594 or e-mail pimsqueen@aol.com

Deluxe Wood Grain Steering Wheel for a 1965-66 Mustang. Complete and in good condition. $250.00 Call Joe Brend 813 685-1431 or e-mail juneandjoe@verizon.net

· August 11^th – SMC Meeting at Quaker Steak & Lube – Clearwater 7;00 PM

· August 16^th – SMC Bowling Party at Twedt’s Bowling Center - Seminole. 5:00 to 7:00 PM