That’s a quote I haven’t heard for many years. That’s what a young lad of around 10 years old said to me the other day whilst just parking up. I parked a six generation orange Ford Mustang GT on a road along from a bus stop. This boy tapped on the passenger window. I opened it but was slightly suspicious as I didn’t know what he wanted. He approached the window opening and asked me the time. My suspicion grew. When was the last time anyone asked you the time? Most people have to hand now their mobile phone or wear a watch.
Was this a distraction robbery? Did he have older mates or an adult waiting to open my driver’s door and attempt to rob me? I advised him of the time. He then said “nice car mate” and walked back to the bus stop. I could see him in the passenger door mirror. He shouted to some of his mates that he would be see them around 5.30. My suspicions receded. He really did need a time check to gauge what time he would see his friends.
I was reviewing this Mustang over a period of 5 days, weather permitting.
Day 2 – I was driving this tangerine beast in the left hand lane of a dual carriageway. I had the driver’s window open. It was a very hot afternoon, aircon was on, but as I had just started off, the cabin was baking – I needed the window open for a few minutes to exhale the excess heat. Pulling alongside me was a black estate car. My peripheral vision picked up the passenger window opening and the car syncing its speed with me. Was I about to be shot at? I glanced over. A gentleman shouted over “I bet that sounds nice with the flaps open”. I knew immediately he was referring to the exhaust valves that opened when the revs were up or the sport modes activated. I smiled and replied “yes, but I cannot open her up yet as she is cold”. He shouted with a thumbs-up gesture, “nice one” and duly drove on.
Day 3 – in the evening, I drove it over to my grandson on as he likes cars. I suppose it does resemble a big toy car, possibly something from the Hot Wheels stable. Now I know a bright orange Mustang is not exactly subtle – a chariot that seems to draw attention to anyone into cars, but I’m surprised – and pleased that people are still happy to verbally express their thoughts instead of announcing via their electronic devices.
Over days 3 & 4, I had vet and grooming appointments for my dog. With my daily SUV off the road – broken with a pending diagnostic garage visit, I decided to use the Mustang for my visitation chores. More time with the Detroit muscle would possibly generate more narrative. A temporary cover (old picnic blanket) for the back seats and a dog seat belt buckle facilitated transporting my pooch. I was fortunate to park right outside the vets. A gentleman getting into his black Alfa Romeo Guilia commented on the Terry’s chocolate orange on wheels as my dog disembarked, saying, “that’s a great car, I nearly bought one a few years ago but the colour and spec I wanted wasn’t available”. I thanked him and voiced my liking for his Alfa and proceeded into the vets.
Day 4 – on the way to the dog groomer, I had to drive through a residential estate of houses at approximately 15 mph as per the traffic calming layout. I passed three boys crossing the road who heard the car coming. One held his arms up, another give me a thumb’s up and the third requested I rev it. I depressed the clutch and give her some pumping throttle. The boys all cheered. Easy to make a child’s day I thought. Ten minutes later when parked up, a courier in a large white van muttered something out of his window towards me getting out of the car. Hopefully it was positive, but if it wasn’t at least this car triggered a verbal reaction.
Day 5 – driving along a dual carriageway again. I slowly overtook a Ford Fiesta in the land hand lane. I noticed that as I approached for the overtake, the Fiesta’s drivers window wound down. I kept looking ahead, using my periperial vision on the open window. As I passed, the window wound back up. I laughed. Did that driver just wind down his window to hear the noise of the Mustang pass him? Probably, I thought, I’ve done the same thing myself for a passing Ferrari or the like!
What has surprised me over this working week, is the attention the car has brought. Obviously the awareness has been from people with an interest in non mainstream cars and it certainly ticked that box. Conversely though, it’s not the car to use if you particularly do not want an audit trail of everywhere you visit. It’s a fairly rare colour combination. When was the last time you saw a black striped orange Mustang?!
