In case you’re wondering why I’m so hard core into Ford, I guess you’d have to thank my dad. You might say, he raised me right. He showed me a real appreciation for a rumbling V8 and in particular a love for Mustangs and Fords. Here’s a picture of me, circa 80-something, proudly displaying a taunting sign aimed at the Chevy guys. That was my dad’s 1964 1/2 Mustang with a build K code 289. It was a beautiful, fast and loud car and I loved it. That car started the ball rolling, the movie Bullitt had a lot to do with building the mystique of the Mustang. I can remember how it felt to watch the big chase between Steve McQueen and the mysterious Charger for as long as I remember, it’s a Novak family tradition. I used to ask my dad to “double clutch like Bullitt” when we’d go for a ride in his Mustang. Of course he would. Now I own it on BluRay and make my poor wife sit through it once every 3 weeks.
When it was time to start driving, my father built up a 1969 Mustang coupe for me, it was beautiful but it had a inline 6 and was under powered. Back then I was disappointed, I was hoping for a big rumbling V8 like dear old dad. Later he’d tell me he couldn’t reconcile giving a 16 year old a heavy hitting big block, and in the end, he was absolutely right. That car taught me to walk before I could run, and when I finally upgraded to my first GT, I had a greater appreciation for how to drive and the satisfaction of earning your stripes. For my dad it must have been pretty tough to knowingly disappoint me just because he knew what’s best for me. Looking back it’s a good lesson in how to be a great father, and with my wife pregnant it’s one I appreciate even more today.
Here’s some pics of the cars that made me the Ford Man I am today.
Billy holding “Max”, me in the middle and Dad with the 1964 1/2 289 and the 85′ SVO. The SVO by the way was a limited run road course car that Ford made mid eighties, it had a turbo 4cyl. It was the sport compact before Sport Compacts were popular. Very quick, handled like a dream and of course Dad put on Nitrous just for fun.
1969 Mustang Coupe
1995 Mustang GT 5.0
1996 Mustang Cobra 4.6L
1993 Vortec Super Charged F-150 Lightning
Where’s the New Lightning??? The BEST Ford of all! It’s funny… Bullitt and The Vanishing Point (70 Dodge Challenger) Dad made me watch over and over again. I own them both now. I have a special place in my heart for Fords but I’m a Chevy girl, nothing beats the sexy body of a 69 CAMARO. I know, I think I’m from another family too
I literally have no idea how we are related. I just got done explaining how it was dad that led me to the light side of the force, aka Ford, and here you are, same Dad and a Chevy girl? WTF? You’re a sith.
I know I want the put the flagship of the Novak Family (aka the new lightning) up, but oddly enough I don’t have any pictures of it. I’m going to ask Mom and Dad to bring me some to scan in when they come down.