I was 16 years old when my dad and I were thinking about getting my first car. Even though he only mentioned it once, maybe twice, I remember it well.
"Wouldn't it be fun to find a '65 Mustang and restore it?"
When we'd drive around, sometimes I'd spot the old breed, but he would always correct me on the year. "Isn't that a '65?" "No, son. That's a '67. You see..." and he would begin explaining how he could tell the difference between the years. A slight difference in the trim or the way the rear window fell back to the tail of the car, he knew it well.
We never bought nor restored a Mustang. I kind of let it go. Well, maybe not quite. Even though my first car was a boat with two La-Z-Boys and love seat in the back ('81 Bonneville Brougham) - and don't forget the Brougham - I imagined as if we were working on my Mustang. As he taught me how this part worked with that part, I imagined it Ford rather than GM.
I guess I never really told my Dad this. It makes sense when I tell him now how much I'd love to have a Mustang that he responds, "Oh, it's just a car. Cars are never worth it." But if he knew the dream he instilled in me, and not for my sake alone but for our sake, then he might understand.
Now, I'm telling him what the difference is in the years. The new retro body styling that came out in 2005 has slight but minimal differences up through 2009. However, the 2009 model marks the 45th anniversary of the Mustang, and those of that year received a special badge to acknowledge its achievement. In 2010, the body received slightly new styling and the GT received new cold air intake, which was earlier given to Bullitt edition Mustangs, Steve McQueen's Bullitt. But then, in 2011, a brand new breed was born. The little pony received a new V6 engine with the power equal to that of the former GT and the fuel economy to reach 30 and above. However, the GT...well, that's when the all new Coyote 5.0 was born.
It was just this past week that a co-worker's husband let me take my girls out in his 45th anniversary convertible. A generous offer after telling them that I've always dreamed of taking my girls out in one and, maybe, one day out West. The glow in my girls' eyes and their gleeful reactions were worth a thousand words. "I have to do this again but much sooner."
Rather than just offering a most sincere "Thank you" to my co-worker and her husband, I decided to repay the kindness with one of my carrot cakes. Sure it's kind of odd. I've taken up baking as a hobby. I suppose I like to eat and I like to treat. It was destiny for me to bake.
Another co-worker told me that, rather than waiting around, I should just buy a Mustang. I told her, along with everyone else, "not until I have the cash." She then told me, "Well why don't you sell your cakes? I'd buy one."
Huh, why not?
I guess this blog is my story of baking cakes while pursuing my dream to own a Mustang.
As cakes are sold - carrot cakes starting at $10 - all monies will go to the Mustang fund. I promise all ingredients will be from scratch and if it doesn't taste right, I will do it over again. Furthermore, for every person who invests in this Mustang, I will let you in return have a say in which Mustang I get. Yes, hoping this takes off (I say that with a bit of fear), every cake will earn you 1 vote for the Mustang I will buy. I will offer up 4 Mustangs when I am ready to buy but you will decide on the one I am to purchase.
Yes, this is crazy, but I'm ready. I'm ready to treat, but, most of all, I'm ready to treat my girls to another drive.
"Cake for a Mustang?"
