ROCKY MOUNTAIN

      MUSTANGERS

From the President

By Bryan Lowry

Back in December, I received an unexpected call from Bob Provost. "Hey, what are you doing? Ron, Stew, and I are getting the cars out for a cruise." After rubbing the sleep out my eyes, I replied, "Where and when?" Not having set any particulars for this impromptu cruise, Bob said he didn't know, but they would be over at my house in a little while. Soon three Sportsroofs rumbled up in my driveway, Ron's '70 Mach 1, Stew's '69 Mach 1, and Bob's '69 Mach 1. Someone suggested that an all-Sportsroof cruise might be fun, so, soon, I was firing up our '69 Boss. Blustery, but clear, the day begged to take the cars out for a spin. While driving out to a photo location east of town, I started running through a few mental mathematics. Four big blocks, 1675 cubic inches, and 1370 advertised brake horsepower. Not bad! Anyway we soon found ourselves freezing our ears off, as we took turns taking pictures of the cars individually and as a group. After many snaps, we headed over to Country Kitchen for lunch. Interestingly, the waitress renamed Stew to Stooge, while taking orders. After a good laugh, we pondered which of the Three Stooges he reminded her of the most. While eating, Stew and Bob reminisced about their high-speed activities on Powers on their way over to my house. Bob claims they were dead even when they spotted the law and decided they better slow down. Good thing, I wasn't with them at that point, because compared to Bosses, 428 Cobra Jets run like they're chained to trees. Anyway, a great time was had by all. Other impromptu cruises have come and gone as well, and we will put together a phone-calling list of those club members who would like to participate in these cruises in the future.

Ron Kay has been busy working issues for the club. He has been working the details of a cruise to Garden of the Gods with the Pueblo Mustang club, followed up with a short Mustang birthday party. The date is April 16th; expect more information at this month's meeting. Additionally, Ron found a company via the Internet, which is interested in doing our club decals in a smaller size run with reasonable prices. Again, more details at the meeting.

On a less happy note, we must drop people from our membership and newsletter list who do not renew by the March general membership meeting. So, please renew your memberships, if you haven't done so already. In the last newsletter, we included the latest version of the Bylaws along with the Board's recommended changes. Please review the Bylaws and the recommended changes, and be prepared to vote on the proposed changes at the next general membership meeting. See y'all Saturday. Bryan "Big Block Head" Lowry

Meet the Member

Just why are Dick and Debbie Collins unusual among Mustang owners? Living in Colorado Springs for 34 years or having two sons and six grandchildren with another one on the horizon does not make them unusual. Dick is a retired civil servant having worked in the civil engineering department at Fort Carson for 33 keeping the fort's roads and buildings in good shape. And as Debbie say she is "just a housewife" which in itself a major job. No, occupations are not the reason either. The couple enjoys exercise such as walking, golf, square dancing, horses, and Debbie likes to knit. So the Collins don't have any out of the ordinary hobbies either.

Maybe it's the fact that Dick took delivery of their 1968 red GT fastback on the day that Debbie and their second son were coming home from the hospital! That's right the Collins are the original owners of their Mustang. The Mustang was ordered from Jess Hunter Ford in Pueblo because Dick got a better deal than the local did dealer could give him. The fastback sports the usual GT equipment with a fold down rear seat, Ford's trusty 302 V8 and a 4 speed transmission for added driving fun.

For many years the '68 was their daily driver! They recall that a crib mattress fit perfectly in the fastback's rear giving David and Doug a place to sleep on long trips. They say that the most exciting thing that has happened to the pony was a 360 degree spin on a slushy bridge on Interstate 25 in Wyoming with the kids in the back. Luckily nothing was hit.

Now with 157,000 miles under its belt the pony has been given a well deserved spot as an occasional driver. But Dick says that even that is sometimes cause for adventure because people drive up at 45 mph to ask if he wants to sell the Mustang! Not likely!

So the next time you see the Collins' pony take a closer look because other than the recent engine overhaul, a repaint, and replacement carpets the Mustang is pretty much the way it left the San Jose plant in 1968. It shows the love and care this lucky pony has had.

Dick and Debbie have been members of the Rocky Mountain Mustangers for 9 years. They enjoy the family orientated club with the accent on having fun with Mustangs.

AMC Club wants to bowl the Mustangers over

The AMC club wants a chance to beat us at bowling (they lost last year!). The date will be Saturday April 29th, tentatively at Brunswick Circle Lanes (if we can get the time and the lanes). Updated information will appear in the April newsletter.

Mustang Registry Information

Here's some more:

Mustang Special Service Registry
13120 Lazy Glen Ct.
Herndon. VT 20171-2326

Jim Dingell
Ph. (703) 742-6207
Fax (703) 742-6208

Mustangs Across America Registry
P.O. Box 4131
Citrus Heights, CA

Sam Haymart '65-66 Mustang Coupe Registry
735 Delaware Rd. # 165
Buffalo NY 14223
Tony Castelletti

Tidbits …

'75-80 Granada/Monarch (also Maverick/Comet) brakes are a great swap to improve the braking of your first generation Mustang. Parts are still easy to get and the cores in the salvage yards are reasonable. I went and pulled two sets last year and paid $35.99/set and the rotors were good enough to turn on one!

Jim's Mustang in El Cajon CA (619) 562-0912 puts out a book called "That's the Brakes" that details the conversion. Cost of the book is $14.95 and it is well worth the price as it removes the guesswork involved in doing the swap.

Don't' forget the 12th annual Rocky Mountain Mustang Round-up

Dates: June 15-18, 2000
· Steamboat Springs , Colorado
· The autocross is fun to watch - especially when they have Super Duty 4X4 Crew Cabs trucks and Lincoln LS sedans running the course!
· The golf course in Steamboat Springs is beautiful!

Payment of 2000 Dues

If you have not yet paid your 2000 dues, please do so at the March 18th meeting. Forms will be available at the meeting. Fill it in and give it with your dues to the treasurer Mike Spoelman. If you cannot make it to the meeting, mail the form and your dues to the club to keep your membership active (forms have been in the last three newsletters). Let's do all we can to support the Mustangers.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, March 18
Maggie Mae's Restaurant
Monthly Meeting 5:30 Dinner, 6:30 Meeting.
Membership dues must be paid or adios muchachos!

March 31-April 1
Mustang Mania 2000
Tucson, AZ
Information: L. Slawson (520) 620-1480 or
slawson@aztlan.com

April 17th
36th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang

April 29th Inter Club bowling challenge AMC vs. Mustangers Circle Lanes -
More information regarding this event in next month's newsletter

May 13-14
Southern Colorado Mustang Show
Show and Shine on the 13th and drag racing on the 14th.
Get details at the meeting.

May 20th
Canon City, CO - Holy Cross Abbey
The Abbey car show
Get more details at the meeting

If you know about an upcoming event, please pass the information to me and I will include it in the newsletter. Thanks, Terry