Spinning Around -
As the years went on, I became more and more intrigued by the idea of modifying my pride and joy, spurred by the huge OE and aftermarket industry catering to Mustangs. After the exhaust, the car stayed mostly as is. But after four years dealing with those gloss black Performance Pack wheels, I went looking for something new
spin around on.
I learnt many things during this time. Early on, I discovered finding exactly what I wanted to be difficult. Just like the exhaust, these new wheels had to remain factory looking, which meant finding OE or OE replica wheels for sale in Australia. Except, not many people wanted that, which meant my options within Australia were extremely limited. This led me to CJ Pony Parts in the US, who offered a variety of Ford OE wheels, or OE-looking wheels from aftermarket companies like SVE, RTR and MRR. Ideally, I wanted the GT-350 wheels, but just couldn’t make it work. In the end, I went with the Ford Performance HP Performance wheels.
These particular wheels were modelled on the rather excellent looking Performance Pack 2 wheels, offered in four different widths and painted satin black instead of gloss graphite. These wheels were used on the Australia-only Mustang R-Spec in the two smaller 9.5 and 10-inch sizes, representing a 0.5-inch increase at both ends over the stock PP1 wheels. I chose to stay with the factory spec 255/40 and 275/40 tyre sizes, switching to Michelin PS4S to rid the car of those diabolically bad Pirelli P-Zero’s.
After placing my order, then waiting for them to be shipped, I discovered this thing called
Import Duties. Actually, I knew about them, rather CJ Pony Parts advised that shipping and import taxes were inclusive of the price. What I didn’t know was that those costs were to get the item
out of the US, not
into Australia. So, after paying a healthy premium for heavy OE wheels, I had to plump for Australian import duties as well. You live, you learn.
At the time, we were in the midst of the pandemic, so I had a never-ending cycle of lockdowns and extra time on my hands. Over this period, I doubled down on detailing by building out my garage to be a haven from the craziness of the world. I was also pushing myself into areas of detailing that were new to me. So, the Mustang’s new wheels became a hands on lesson in wheels-off detailing. Living out my Obsessed Garage fantasies, I did the whole prep process to the wheels before ceramic coating them along with the Brembo calipers. I also discovered the idea of de-nibbing tyres. The end result being a new look for my then 4-year-old Mustang.
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A theme I would come across many times in the following years, those wheels I imported at great cost started to appear at local vendors shortly after. Typical! I must be ahead of the curve.
More, More, More -
In addition to the wheels, I also tinkered with some other minor changes. The blue coil covers, a black coolant tank cover, a Ford Performance oil separator, stainless dead-pedal cover, and solid black lug nuts to replace the troublesome two-piece items that come from the factory. All small but satisfying changes that looked as if they were always meant to be there.
Feels So Good –
I could write a novel about this subject, but the Mustang has been my favorite car to wash. I can’t list a specific reason for this, mostly likely a combination of all above. Those sharply contoured lines, the expansive body panels, the colour. Whatever it is, the Mustang is the one I anticipate washing the most.
The only exception? Other than those PP1 wheels, folding myself into the rear seat to clean the rear windshield.
Shocked -
Like any relationship, there are flaws. Anyone coming from a European, Japanese or even an Australian built car will be shocked at some of the blatant quality issues that have plagued Mustang’s for decades. You can forgive that up to a certain point, but in the modern era and at the prices Ford ask for Mustang’s now, you really can’t excuse such sloppy workmanship. My car was no different, think body panels that don’t properly align, cheap/hard/scratchy interior materials, loose side skirt from the factory, poorly fitted aluminum air vent trim, and dust nibs in the paint. There is even weld slag in the engine bay that has been painted over from the factory. This sort of thing obviously doesn’t affect how the car drives, but in my mind, this sort of thing is unacceptable.
The above comments have angered many over the years, as if I’m taking a pot shot at other Mustang owners personally. In reality, it’s my observations are after more than 7 years of ownership of not only my own, but countless other Mustang’s. And cylinder count has nothing to do with quality…………or lack thereof.
Thing is, when you fire up the engine and give it some gas, those niggles evaporate. Very few cars on the market deliver that rockstar ownership experience. The Mustang is deeply flawed, but no less loveable.
Did It Again -
Come 2022 and I was getting the itch. The new car market by then was completely different to when I bought the Mustang. With no more locally made cars, Covid related shipping delays and part shortages, the demand for cars was out stripping supply…………………..no longer could you walk into a dealer and point at the car you wanted and have it delivered the next day. No, cars were now special-order items that would take months or even years to arrive, and with no room for price negotiations. I can safely say that in the following years after buying my Mustang, nothing else on the new car market interested me. Used examples of a few key rivals did raise interest, but buying second hand is not for me. So, if I was to replace this Mustang, another Mustang was going to be at the top of my list. You could say
I Did It Again…………………..
With the new S650 Mustang having been unveiled earlier in 2022, I knew this was going to be my next car. In September 2022, I visited the Ford dealer with the intent of being put on the waiting list for the new model. At that stage, nothing was known in terms of price, availability, options, or even a time frame as to when S650’s would hit Australian soil. While I knew the wait would be long, I had only anticipated about a 12-month turnaround. Two years later, and after many frustrating moments, well my new Mustang now exists and has been making its way across the ocean.
I will tell the story of that S650 at a later date, but I felt it needed to be mentioned in context to what will happen with my beloved S550.
Giving You Up -
Having had two years to say goodbye, as I type this story, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, the Mustang morphed into more than a car, becoming a bright light in a sky full of dark clouds. I fell more and more in love with it as time went by. And when I placed the deposit for the S650, I was not ready to part with the S550. Knowing I would have time to process that, I allowed myself to come to terms with saying goodbye, while loving and enjoying the sh.t out of it.
But after waiting more than two years, I’m now content with my S550 journey. I feel like I have taken the car to the point where there is nothing else I would change. After 7 years, it's time for a new experience. Now, you could say that would mean buying something else, or even choosing another colour. But as mentioned, nothing else ticked my boxes like the Mustang does; naturally aspirated V8, rear wheel drive, drop-dead styling, price point, the sound, the heritage. As for choosing Race Red again? Sue me, I love red cars.
Can’t Get You Out Of My Head -
So, on the cusp of my new car arriving, its safe to say that I will never get this red Mustang out of my head. I can only hope that its new owner will love it as much as I have, that it will get under their skin like it did for me.
In the words of the fabulous Kylie Minogue…………………
It was love, it was love, it was love, it was love..........at first sight.
Farewell……………………..
