The '05 Mustang is somewhat of a disappointment. I love the fastback, but when Mustang people think about the '65 Mustangs, the hardtop comes to mind. It was affordable and sporty, and everyone had to have one. Maybe in 2006 they can come out with a true retro of the coupe. Until then, I'll keep my wife's '66 coupe rolling.-Marshal Guidry, Sulphur, LA
Overall, I think Ford did a good job designing the first all-new Mustang in 25 years. But I'm disappointed about the live rear axle, which belongs in the 19th and 20th centuries. I'm not sure how many loyal Mustang enthusiasts Ford polled for its poor excuse that real Mustang drivers like to drag race and prefer a live rear axle. I'm sure I'm one of the majority who drives on the street and will see a racetrack only from the stands.-Bill Sanseverino, Las Vegas, NV
I want this car! I'm trying to find out from Ford and my local dealer when I can place my order. Who do I have to kill to get one?-Jay Bowers, via the Internet
MustangMonthly.com Web site PollWhat do you think about the '05 Mustang?I love it. I've got to have one: 46%It looks pretty good. Maybe I'll eventually own one: 35%It's OK, but I'll stick with my current Mustang: 14%I don't like it: 3%.
Yo Club Winner: Gary PorterAt the moment, 20-year-old YO Club member Gary Porter from Oxnard, California, is using his '66 Sprint hardtop as everyday transportation to school. But as soon as school is over, Gary plans to take the somewhat restomodded Mustang back to all-original condition. So he'll welcome the $400 gift certificate he'll receive from Texas Mustang Parts as this month's YO Club sweepstakes winner. According to Gary, the Vintage Burgundy coupe is still equipped with all of the Sprint equipment, including the 200ci six-cylinder with chrome air cleaner, console, and side pinstripes. The hardtop also features wire wheel covers, Parchment interior, and a white vinyl roof.
Mustang Inquirer: Jerry HeasleyIt all started with a phone call to Mustang Monthly in 1981. Already working as an automotive journalist, Jerry Heasley called to see if he could be of service to the relatively new monthly magazine about Mustangs. As a result, Jerry's name has appeared in Mustang Monthly, as a writer or photographer, or both, for the past 23 years. Jerry also contributed to the Mustang Recognition Guide, which was published by the editors of Mustang Monthly in late 1981.
"I've been a fulltime, independent photojournalist since 1979," Jerry says. "Since then, I have written over 4,100 magazine articles appearing in hundreds of different magazine titles. Mustangs and Fords are my specialty, but I have also written extensively about Corvettes, Mopars, and musclecars. I like writing people profiles and other specialty assignments, as long as adventure is involved."
Over the years, Jerry has compiled over 200,000 images of cars, many of them Mustangs, which have been used for books, calendars, and even model-car packaging.
A dedicated researcher, Jerry isn't shy about calling anyone about any subject. His comprehensive detailing articles with Bob Perkins are among the best ever produced, and he met Carroll Shelby on a plane. When he saw the seat next to Shelby was empty, he moved right in and introduced himself. The friendship continues, as evidenced by Jerry's article about Shelby in this issue.
Jerry also has a knack for predicting trends. In 1987, after testing and writing a Mustang Monthly article about Ford's "Red Racer" '87 Mustang GT test car that was tweaked with performance parts, Jerry told us that modified 5.0 Mustangs would be the next big thing. Bingo-he got that one right.
Among Jerry's accomplishments are 15 books, a dozen of them related to Mustangs, including The Ford Mustang 196411/42-1973, The 196411/42-1973 Mustang Price Guide,ss How to Paint Your Mustang, and 25 Years of Mustang Advertising.