Suncoast Mustang Club

                    Volume 28  Issue 4

June 2008

A Word From Wayne

Hello again.

This past month I had the pleasure of hosting a small segment of the Great American Pony Drive.  For those who don’t know what the Pony Drive is, it is a group of fellow “Mustangers” who get together once a year and travel together in their Mustangs from point “a” to point “b”.  This year point “a” was Marianna, Florida and point “b” was Jacksonville. They zig-zagged their way all over Florida for about three weeks, usually traveling a few hours each day, and stopping at different tourist sites and/or “points of interest”.  Pony Drives have brought people together from all over the world and this year the farthest distance traveled was someone coming from Germany.

My shop happened to be a “point of interest”.  Thursday morning, May 8th they  started rolling in about 8:45 and by 9:15 about 40 people had arrived.  Some of my fellow club members also turned out to meet and greet these Mustangers.    We all chatted and I gave the “nickel tour” of the shop.   Naturally, there was lots of “car talk” during their visit.  I had the whole thing catered by Mike’s Pizza, so you know we sure did eat well.  Mike fixed up some sandwich trays, all different kinds of pizza, garlic knots, pasta salad and a huge tub of wings.  After everyone “filled their tanks”, we all took pictures said our goodbyes.  The group left, headed for Fort Myers to tour the Edison/ Ford Museums as well as other places in Southwest Florida.  I had a great time and met some very interesting fellow Mustangers

Look for more info about the Pony Drive  in an upcoming issue of Mustang Monthly. Also, Jim and Lucy Carroll will present one of Jim’s famous “talks” complete with a slide show (including Lucy’s comments) about the entire Pony Drive during an upcoming meeting.

We don’t have much going on scheduled for the hot summer months.  But “keep an eye out” because your Board of Directors has discussed a bowling outing or attending a cruise-in as a group together.  We will try to give everyone as much notice as possible but please carefully read upcoming newsletters, e-mail notices and check out the club’s web site.  Looking forward to seeing all of you at Perkins Restaurant in Clearwater (2626 Gulf to Bay Boulevard – north side of Gulf to Bay, just east of U.S. 19) at 7:00 PM next Monday night.  Until then…

Wayne Farnham 

 

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Up to the Minutes         

 

 

 

Suncoast Mustang Club

Meeting Minutes

May 12, 2008

 

Meeting called to order at 7:40 p.m. by President Wayne Farnham.

 

We had a short discussion about the up coming Pony Drive that some club members will be participating in.  This year’s Pony Drive will take participants to interesting places around Florida.  One of their stops will be at on May 8th at Restomod Plus and any SMC Members who can be there are invited.

 

After breaking for snacks and drinks (some delicious hors d'oeuvres prepared by Kathie and Jim Robison) we reconvened the meeting outside in AutoWay’s Service Department “Lanes” for a discussion and demonstration on the starting systems of early Mustangs.  Our own Wayne Farnham was our “instructor” and he provided lots of good information and answered lots of questions.  We all left with a greater knowledge of this very important part of our cars.. 

 

Our next SMC meeting will be Monday, June 9, at the Perkins Restaurant on Gulf to Bay Boulevard just east of US 19 in Clearwater.  (See Map Below)  This meeting will begin at 7:00 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Steve Hansen

Secretary

------------------------------

 

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery

www.perkinsrestaurants.com

 

2626 Gulf To Bay Blvd

Clearwater, FL 33759

(727) 799-2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pony Tales is the Suncoast Mustang Club’s newsletter.  The newsletter’s function is to keep members informed of what is going on in the club and other Mustang-related subjects.  The newsletter is assembled by the Editor, but by definition, an editor is supposed to prepare other persons’ writings for publication. I am grateful to the members who have provided articles in the past, 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 July meeting.  (I’ll be out of town for the June meeting.  Thanks,

Bill

 

 

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Most of you who know Orrie Engle are aware that he has been in a convalescent center for some time.   Recently, Orrie was in the hospital with another set-back, but he is back at the center.  If you would like to send him a card I am sure it would be appreciated.  Hopefully,  we can organize another “Mustang Club” visit with him.  Until then our prayers and best wishes go out to Orrie and his sister, Betty.

 

Westchester Gardens

3301 N McMullen Booth Road

Clearwater, FL 33761

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

June Brend               June 1

Rob Timken               June 1

Becky Nielsen            June 12

Becky Carre              June 13

Efren Ouano             June 18

 

 

 

Happy Anniversary To:

 

William & Barbara Johnson   June 7

Tim & Lisa Biglin                    June 8

Stu & Sharon Kennedy          June 22

Guy & Betsy Tewksbury        June 22

 

 

SUNCOAST MUSTANG CLUB OFFICERS:

 

President                                              Wayne Farnham            727-573-9696     wayne@restomodplus.com

Vice President                                       John Stockowski            727-321-6341     jstockowski@tampabay.rr.com

Secretary                                              Steve Hansen                727 397-0100     hansenskmb@yahoo.com

Treasurer & Newsletter Editor                  Bill Dellert                     727-343-4187     bdellert3@hotmail.com

 

 

 


 

 

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                                        by Jim Robison

 

 

 

 

First, let me say a “welcome back home” to our friend and fellow member, Al Clarke.  I know that he is glad to be home and that Sue will be helping him to recover quickly.  God Speed my friend.

 

Some stuff I’ve read recently and want to share with you.

 

From the St. Petersburg Times – May 5, 2008 concerning gas mileage.  The June, 2006 winner of the Society of Automotive Engineers annual “Super mileage” competition was a car built by students at the University of British Columbia.  This car set a record of 3,145 miles per gallon.

 

From the St. Petersburg Times – April 13, 2008 also concerning gas mileage.  An Evansville, Indiana high school’s entry vehicle in the 2008 “Shell Eco-Marathon America Contest” registered 2,843.4 miles per gallon.

 

Note that neither of the above stories mentioned anything about the estimated rear wheel horsepower produced by these vehicles.  I wonder if … “bump drafting” was allowed in either of these competitions.

 

I also read that speculation is mounting that Ford Motor Company might be considering “retiring” the Mercury nameplate.  U.S. sales are down 23 percent this year and analysts are predicting the Mercury brand has one more product “life cycle” left in it.  A spokesman from Ford said recently that “rumors of Mercury’s death have been greatly exaggerated… and that no decision has been made to discontinue this brand.  Ford introduced Mercury cars (and later trucks – in Canada) in 1939.  (I wonder if GM said the same thing about Oldsmobile a few years back???)

 

Another interesting thing for the extremely “lead footed” is about a new bill that could become law if signed by our governor, Charlie Crist.  HB 137, which was overwhelmingly approved by our state legislature, states that excessive speeders (I wonder if any of them drive Ford GT’s, SVT Cobras or Lightning’s, or anyone else with a need for SPEED) would pay $1000.00 for the first offense if caught speeding more than 50 mile per hour over the posted speed limit.  The penalty used to be $250.00.  Under this same bill, a second time offense costs $2,500.00 and you lose your driver’s license for a year.  Those “lucky” enough to get caught a third time could lose their license for 10 years and have their vehicle confiscated.  This bill originally targeted only motorcyclists, but was re-written to include all offenders regardless of what they are driving.  The change was “just to be fair to everyone” of course… and V-6 Mustangs are exempt… probably.

 

Finally, Kathie and I have been talking about a club picnic at one of the local parks this fall when the weather finally “cools off”.  Sounds do-able.  Talk to your board members about planning this at their next board meeting. 

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You could start a

fight in church over….”

                                        -Wayne Farnham

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

If you’ve ever listened to Wayne explain something eventually he will end up using this phrase… and with good reason.  Actually, I really don’t want to start a fight at all, just a lively “discussion” about which year Mustang was the best ever?  How about sharing your opinion?  Here’s mine…

 

1967 was the BEST!!!  Look at today’s Mustang, which car did they use as the basis for many of the styling features of the early Mustangs?  ’67!!!  It was the best Mustang because of it took the best of the original 65-66 look and made it look “muscular”.  The wider stance, tweaking of the side, front, and rear body design made this car the best looking ever in all of its body styles.  The interior was still “simple” but it lost the “economy” car look and feel.  ‘67’s also saw many other chassis, transmissions, and adding a big block made the 67 Mustang the original “Muscle” Mustang.  I think the reason  that the original “Bullitt” Mustang was “stripped” of its emblems and trim was because the 67 looked cooler and when you removed the trim it looked more like a ’67. 

 

The Mustang is a constantly evolving automobile.  The ones made today are “state of the art” especially when compared with the classics.  Line up the Mustangs from 65 through 08 and then take a good look at which is the “coolest” – it’s the ’67.

 

Want the weigh in on this important topic?  Let’s hear from you?  Send an e-mail – bdellert3@hotmail.com  or support your Post Office and their faithful employees by mailing it to the newsletter’s return address. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suncoast Mustang Club

6705 Cardinal Drive South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33707-3803

 

Check out the club website at

www.restomodplus.com

 

 

 

 

DATES TO REMEMBER

 

·         June 9th - SMC Meeting at Perkins Restaurant 2626 Gulf To Bay Boulevard, Clearwater 7;00 PM

 

·         July 4th – Independence Day – Happy Birthday U.S.A.

 

·         July 14th – SMC Meeting at AutoWay Ford, St. Petersburg 7;30 PM

 

 

 

 

    SMC Classified Ads (free to all club members – contact newsletter editor)

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

 

B&M “Shift Enhancer” Module for most late model Ford Transmissions including Mustangs.  “New” never used $35.00  Jim Robison (727) 776-9882

“Slightly Used” K & N Air Filter O.E.M. replacement.  Fits Ford V-6.  Will clean and re-oil for you and you get the K & N “warning” decal.  $40.00  Jim Robison (727) 776-9882

“Gumball” Vending Machine  Totally refurbished with 3 ½ foot stand and keys.  “Squared” case, painted Ford red and all in perfect condition.  $60. 00  Jim Robison (727) 776-9882

Heavy-Duty “Squirrel-Cage” Blower  110 Volt Belt Drive.  Very Strong!!!  Perfect for garage or shop.  Already “pig-tailed” and mounted on base.  $40.00 or best offer.  Jim Robison (727) 776-9882

3.5 gallon portable parts washer.  Brand new in box.  $40.00 

Jim Robison (727) 776-9882

(Jim Robison wants you to know that all items he is offering for sale are warranted for 30 minutes or 30 feet, whichever comes first.)