The Pony Express s1

“THE PONY EXPRESS”

April 2002 -Published by Mustangs of East Texas P.O. Box 8970 Tyler, Texas 75711

www.mustangseasttexas.com

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Every classic Mustang has a life story to tell. Few of us Howdy are fortunate enough to know every story about our car like Lindsey Bradley’s 67 Fastback which he bought new. I want to thank Danny Alexander for arranging last Most of us learn some of the stories of our Mustang months program. Also, thanks to Shannon Tigue and through the restoration process. Randy Womack from Royal Purple. We had a great turnout at last months meeting, and I think having After bolting in the rebuilt engine I have been driving my programs and demonstrations helps keep our meetings Rangoon Red 65 coupe for a year with a bent front interesting. If anyone has any ideas on programs for fender and hood. It came that way, I didn’t do it, but upcoming meetings, please let us know. the car looked so great that I drove it while working on the replacement body parts. I treated it like a prize If the first cruise night of the year at Doyle Thomas's showpiece and nobody ever saw me driving it dirty. Hot Rod What-A- Burger is any indication of what’s to Along the way I replaced the bumpers and some trim come, it's going to be a great year. Mustangs had pieces and even bought a brand new set of Cragar SS reserved parking since we were the feature car this wheels for it. month. Also, parking for late arrivals is no longer a problem. Doyle added additional parking on the lot just Originally I had planned to replace the bent up pieces north of the restaurant. It was fun visiting with and match the paint, but decided that matching would everyone and checking out the new rides. be hard with red. I bought enough paint to paint the whole car, thinking to color sand it and “touch up” some Dates to mark on your calendar: bodywork. After thinking long and hard I finally decided that since I was going to paint the whole car that I Special Vehicle Team Owner’s Association (SVTOA) - should do it right and start with bare metal. local chapters first club meeting on Saturday, April 20 @ 3:00pm, McGilvray Ford in Athens The first Saturday after the ETCC Car Show I bought Bluebonnet Festival Cruise, Ennis, Texas, Sunday, April some stripper and went to work. I removed the interior 21 (details to follow) and both the front and rear glass. I took out the roof rail Club Picnic at Reunion Harbor, May 19 weather stripping and started melting the paint off. No more than 15 minutes into the project the Mustang -Jim Voit, President started telling its story and I’m so glad I decided to go bare.

The story goes like this. The original color was Silver Blue. At some point it was repainted, again in Silver Blue. The reason for this repaint was probably due to some body damage, as the right front fender’s original color was Springtime Yellow and the passenger door was Wimbledon White. The driver’s door has a data plate that decodes Rangoon Red with red interior. Also, it was the victim of some backyard amateur bodywork in the rear quarters. Rust holes were covered with patches cut to overlay the damage and pop-riveted into place then buried in fiberglass and bondo.

After the Silver Blue came a coat of some shade of EVERY MUSTANG TELLS A STORY maroon, then Rangoon Red. It was at this point that the 1 members of Mustangs of East Texas sanded and painted the car in the latest coat of Rangoon Red. It was so slick . and beautiful it was really hard to strip it, but I could see that it had a little too much bondo in the quarters, so I Mustangs of East Texas knew something wasn’t just right. The big surprise was the taillight panel, which never had any bondo in it ever! Minutes for March 5, 2002

Right now it is sitting in my garage in shame. Two The Honorable Jim Voit, President of Mustangs of East Texas, opened the January meeting at 7:03pm, in Traditions Family Restaurant, in weeks into the project the hood, left front fender and Tyler, TX. trunklid are in primer. The driver door is still red. The President’s Comments: rest of the car is bare metal. The right rear quarter has The Honorable Jim “I Know Tires” Voit welcomed been removed and with the help of my good friend Rick new visitors to the MOET club throughout the meeting, Borrmann, preparations are being made to attach the including: new wheelwell and quarter panel. (Rick is the one who  Phil Smith, from Longview, Texas, who is knows how to weld.) seeking a late model GT to enjoy, and Inside the car started out blue, it has been black, then  Wayne Lowry, who owns a ’70 convertible white then red, which it has right now. I plan on white and is restoring a Grabber Yellow ’70 fastback with red carpet. with the 302 stripes  Phil Lake, from Larne, Texas, who is What kind of life has your Mustang led? 30+ years of a beginning a restoration project with a ’67 Fairlane Mustang’s daily life can tell a lot of stories. If you would GT that is currently on blocks, but will hopefully like to share yours just write it up and send it to me and I’ll share it with the members. soon be properly shorn. New Business: -Harold Phillips, editor  The Honorable Jim “Low Profile—High Speed” Voit introduced two guest speakers who came to the monthly MOET meeting to give us insight into the complex and intriguing world of synthetic VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE lubrication. Shannon Tigue from North Texas Lubricants and Randy Womack from Womack Racing Our records show that several members have not yet both discussed the advantages of synthetic motor oils sent in their dues for 2002. The Dues are very important in general and the brand Royal Purple, specifically. to the club, the money keeps the club rolling along The two specialists began with a brief contrast in the smoothly. Please check your records to make sure you characteristics of mineral versus synthetic motor oils: 1) Mineral oils begin losing their critical additives immediately have paid your 2002 dues. If you have not, please do it upon first use in the engine, while synthetics are much more today! The newsletter is brought to you by your stable in retaining these key ingredients, increasing their membership, so if you want it to keep coming you need lifespan in the engine. 2) Mineral oils contain only three to to keep up your membership! five percent additives whereas synthetics contain six to nine percent, for greater engine protection and longer life. 3) Since the synthetic oils have higher additive proportions and allow MONTHLY CLUB MEETINGS less friction for the same viscosity weight than mineral oils, this translates into releasing more horsepower from our already brawny Pony engines, as well as discernable Our monthly club meetings are held on the first Tuesday increases in mileage. It is a relatively cheap way to boost of each month at Traditions on South Broadway, Tyler, your Pony’s get-up-and-go. just down the street from Lowe’s and Best Buy on the Shannon then gave a little history behind the synthetic other side of Broadway. The meetings are open to all motor oil brand Royal Purple. It was developed by a fellow club members, friends, family, and other interested named John Williams, who initially developed lubricants for parties. This is the place to come for help with your high intensity industrial uses in the oil fields of Texas. Exxon Mustang or to suggest and help us plan club events. It used his new synthetic recipe and noticed dramatically you are unable to make the meeting and have diminished down times for equipment repair due to things like something of importance, please call one of the club bearing failure and wear and tear on gears. After receiving officers listed on the back of this newsletter. API approval, Williams began marketing his new recipe for motor oils. OUR NEXT MEETING IS SET FOR TUESDAY, APRIL Shannon and Randy were very adept at answering the 2, 2002. COME AT 6:30 TO EAT, THE MEETING many incredibly perceptive and amazingly astute questions STARTS AT 7:00 PM. raised from the august members of the MOET club. Many of

2 their comments were rather technical, but a small selection of 19th. It is always a great family event and a group picture their responses follows: will be made. All MOET members and their families are Some people have reported that although the interval encouraged to come. between oil changes with synthetics is much longer than with The Honorable Jim “Have Cobra, Will Travel— mineral oils, it is still advisable to change the oil filter Anywhere” Voit also reported on some important events in between oil changes. This is especially true with diesel Mustang-dom: applications, since most synthetics are not able to sufficiently  Ford has officially approved the production of a revived carry away the soot the engine generates in the cylinders. A Mach 1 model of our favorite Pony car, which is synthetic blend would be a better choice in such an scheduled to debut at the New York Auto Show on March application. 28th. It will house the 2002 Cobra 4.6 liter, 320 HP Synthetics do tend to remove gasoline engine deposit engine and sport a live rear axle. build up, and when an older engine changes from mineral  There are also strong rumors that the Boss 302 model motor oil to synthetic, some exhaust smoke may be noticeable will also be revived soon. for a short period of time. Classic car owners put relatively  The revival of the GT40 is already showing signs of few miles on their pride and joy and mileage intervals approaching the actual production stage. This piece of between oil changes become less important than the time awesome automotive nostalgia is expected to be priced at intervals. Changes in engine operating temperatures each about $150,000 and will sport a supercharged engine time the car is run, as well as large changes in the ambient mounted behind the driver pushing out 500 HP and 500 temperature between seasons while the car is stored, can both ft.-lb. Torque to big, fat 20-inch tires. Upon hearing this break down the additives in motor oil. Since the engine life- exciting news, all eyes were on Lindsey “Shelby Man” enhancing additives are usually melded to the oil base stock Bradley, who was seen to be smiling slyly while doodling through a heat-related chemical processes, this is true financial calculations on a napkin. The MOET club regardless of whether it is synthetic or mineral oil based. patiently awaits his decision… Therefore, even if you are using synthetic motor oil in a President Jim Voit adjourned at 8:00 pm. typical classic car with low annual mileage, a fresh oil change each spring is still recommended. -Mike Stroup, secretary Compared to mineral oils, synthetic oils in general (and Royal Purple specifically) have very high flash point temperatures where the motor oil catches fire. Racers who use highly volatile and flammable nitro-methane mixtures have reported that synthetic oil spilled on already burning fuels have actually been observed to dowse the fire. Old Business: The Honorable Jim “Z-rated tires are so over-rated” Voit reported on the East Texas Crisis Center Car Show and mentioned that this year’s attendance was 3100 visitors compared to last year’s 5,300 visitors. The Crisis Center raised over $53,000 in the event, $23,000 coming from the Corvette raffle (despite the despicable “bowtie” emblem on it), which went to nice lady who will surely appreciate it. This year the Crisis Center was grateful to receive the largest total of sponsor donations made to date. I would like to wish the following people a happy The Honorable Jim “Three Mustangs just ain’t enough” birthday for the month of April: Voit also brought up some important dates for MOET club members to remember: 5 Steve Harms  The inaugural SVT club meeting at McGilvrey Ford 12 Steve Wegmet in Athens, TX will be held on Saturday, April 13th. 12 Kevin Blalock Officers will be elected and Tech support will be 13 Maureen Christopherson available. 13 Bill Farmer  The Blue Bonnet Festival in Ennis, TX is April 19th through 21st and makes for a great day trip in your Pony. 14 Richard Ulrich He strongly encouraged MOET members to coordinate a 15 Joan Dodson possible motorcade for the event. (However, for some 21 Doug Blevins reason Voit pointedly refused to take Secretary Mike 26 Steve Jones Stroup’s two young children along in his car to allow 26 Don Joslin Stroup and his wife to actually enjoy the trip in their car.) 26 Lu Wegmet  The Pate Swap meet at the Arlington Speedway is 27 Michael Stroup April 25th through 28th.  The MOET club decided that the Annual MOET COMING EVENTS Picnic at Reunion Lake would be held on Sunday, May

3 Washington, DC – Jun 28-30, 2002, Stars – Stripes – FOR SALE: 1970 Mustang Mach 1, red & white, 351W, Stangs, the first MCA National in the Nation’s capital. For new AC and heat, GOOD condition, runs great. $9,995. more info call Joseph Tashjian at 703-256-7373 or 539-7455 daytime, 839-1441 nights. Patricia and Richard Porter at 703-590-4512. FOR SALE: 2000 Mustang GT, Laser Red, 260 hp 4.6, Charlotte, NC – Aug 29-Sep 1, 2002, the 2002 Grand auto, tan leather, air, locks, CD Mach 460 Sound, 17” National. Thunder in Carolina, hosted by the Carolina factory wheels, 20K miles. $15,900. Contact Eddy Regional Mustang Club at Lowes Motor Speedway. Franks 903-534-5103 or e-mail to [email protected] Contact Carol Barker at 704-542-8093, Pat Suddeth at 704-455-1232, or Betty O’Neal at 704-474-5929, www.ponytales.org.

Bossier City, LA – Sep 21, 2002, Car show at Wray Ford, I-220 & Benton Rd, sponsored by Red River Classic Mustang Club. Registration 8 AM-11 AM, all Ford and Ford powered vehicles welcome, dash plaques, T-shirts and goodie bags to first 100 registrants, $20 pre- registration, $25 day of show, free admission. Info: Gil Bazo, PO Box 37724, Shreveport, LA 711133, PH: 318- 747-3404: e-mail [email protected]: or www.rrcmc.com or Ken Crockett, 318-632-9118.

Pigeon Forge, TN – Oct 5-6, 2002, Tennessee Valley Mustang Club 2002 Regional Fall Show at the Grand Resort Hotel and Convention Center. Just 30 miles from FOR SALE: 1965 Ford Galaxy 500 2 Dr Hardtop. One Knoxville and 4 miles from Gatlinburg and the Great owner 1965-1999. 122K actual miles. Original 390-4V Smokey Mountain National Park. For more info call David and factory 4 spd rebuilt at 100K miles. New red paint Heck at 865-220-0522 or Jim McFarland at 865-925- and red interior, cold AC. New radiator, all bulbs 3334. replaced. Totally dependable. Good Driver Quality. Call Steve Wegmet at 903-586-5114, $8500 Offers welcome.

FOR SALE: 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe. This was SWAP MEETS originally a 289 4 speed car. Car now has a 68 429 ci motor from a Thunderbird. It was installed using a kit Fort Worth, TX – Apr 25-28, 2002, 30th Annual Pate from Ford Power Parts in California. The car is brilliant Swap Meet at Texas Motor Speedway, at the intersection BMW red with new seat covers, buns and carpet. The of IH35W and Hwy 114. For more info call Greg Herbert motor has an Offy intake, Competition cam, 750 DBL at 512-795-0974 or log on www.pateswapmeet.com. Pumper Holley carb and MSD Ignition. It has Detroit Locker 4.11 gears, another set of 3.70 gears and subframe connectors. I have owned this car since December 1972 and now want to do something different. Asking price $8999.00 E-mail: [email protected] for more information. The car is CLASSIFIEDS located in South Louisiana.

The ads below are placed free of charge to all members WANTED: Looking to purchase a good condition 1965- of Mustangs of East Texas. These ads can be items for 66 Mustang Convertible with a 289 engine. Please let me sale or items you wish to purchase, or ads for assistance know if you know of anyone wanting to sell such a car. or services. All ads will run for two months unless Gary Stegman, 21019 Plum Ranch, Garden Ridge, TX otherwise noted. If you would like to place an ad, 78266. Home 210-651-5528, office 210-945-6033 AM please call Harold Phillips at 903-509-8212 or Craig only. E-mail [email protected]. Chesley at 903-561-3200 before the 20th of each month for ads to be included in the next month’s newsletter. Or you can write to me at: Harold Phillips, 729 Joel Dr, Tyler, TX 75703 or e-mail [email protected]. CRUISE NIGHTS

4 Yes, that time of year is coming around again, Cruise Night season. This is when all the car guys gather at the restaurant parking lot and the Mustang guys (and girls) all show up and make the Camaro guys jealous! Typically in East Texas there is a cruise night each Thursday night at a different location. If you know of a cruise night please let me know so I can list it here.

1st Thursday – Whataburger on Loop 281 & Judson Rd in Longview 2nd Thursday – Hot Rod Whataburger on S Broadway in Tyler

2002 MUSTANGS OF EAST TEXAS 0FFICERS

PRESIDENT – JIM VOIT ------903-581-9515 VICE PRESIDENT – DAN HARDIMAN ------903-566-4209 SECRETARY – MIKE STROUP ------936-462-7266 TREASURER – DONNA ALEXANDER, CPA ------903-894-3246 NEWSLETTER EDITOR – HAROLD PHILLIPS ------903-509-8212

DIRECTORS

EDDY FRANKS ------903-534-5103 MARK WHITT ------903-566-0569 TERRY JOST ------903-566-5459 DAVID HARTSELL ------903-593-3896