Mustang Monthly Magazine

December 1986 Mustang Monthly Magazine

In today's environment, it really was not unexpected to hear the announcement that Mustang Monthly will no longer be offered as a print magazine along with 19 of 22 other automotive titles from TEN Publishing.

That said and being involved in this hobby for over 40 years, it was kind of sad for us to hear the formal announcement. 

Virginia Classic Mustang was one of the first advertisers in Mustang Monthly, even before it was called that. I believe when Larry Dobbs started the publication, it was named The Mustang Exchange Letter. Lots of changes happened with the magazine, particularly when bigger publishing companies became the owner of the title.

We have been so fortunate to "grow up" with this hobby. We have made lots of friends who share our passion for these great cars. Just from our involvement with Mustang Monthly, we can call Donald Farr, Jim Smart, Mark Houlahan, and others friends. If you are new to the hobby, you may not recognize these names, but if you are an "old timer," you most certainly will.

We've posted a few pictures here of the issues that my early '65 Mustang HiPo Convertible was featured in. The first was by Jim Smart way back in 1986. After its second restoration, it was featured again in 2012 by Donald Farr. I believe my '65 GT350 was featured by Jim in an issue many years ago also.

I still have both cars!

Virginia Classic Mustang continues to be more about a hobby and passion than a business. That's why we continue to have great (and repeat) customers like yourself!

December 1986 Mustang Monthly Magazine

February 2012 Mustang Monthly Magazine

February 2012 Mustang Monthly Magazine

February 2012 Mustang Monthly Magazine

Donald Farr - Former Editor of Mustang Monthly

Donald Farr is certainly a great friend.  The now former editor of Mustang Monthly Magazine is the author of the great Mustang Fifty Years book.  We will miss him at Mustang Monthly and look forward to his next endeavor.

Here's a link to a nice article from Donald's local Lakeland, Fl newspaper:

http://www.theledger.com/article/20140308/NEWS/140309245?p=1&tc=pg

Mustang Museum

This was posted on our Facebook page by Jim Smart, long time Mustang writer, fan, editor and all around good guy.

Time to begin a national conversation.  The Mustang Museum.  No long and involved marketing studies, mult-city visits/studies, expensive advertising agencies, or large egos.  Just a grass roots movement with rock solid accountability that puts The Mustang Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.  Okay hardcore Mustang buffs.  We have abundant energy and enthusiasm.  Time to heal the wounds of the original failed Mustang Experience effort and put it behind us.

Are you with me?  Time for everyone and anyone in the Mustang industry to get on board-Ford Motor Company, its suppliers, parts businesses, car clubs, editorial types, and certainly the Mustang Club of America.  This must be a global effort - every Mustang enthusiast from around the world.

It must be in Dearborn, Michigan.  And when it opens - we call it The Mustang Homecoming...Detroit needs a huge shot in the arm.  So does Dearborn where MUSTANG was born.  Let's get focused and make this happen.  No more excuses.  No more delays.

Let's get this thing open by the Mustang's 60th Anniversary.  Write to me at themustangmuseum@yahoo.com

Early 1965 Mustang 289 HiPo Convertible in Mustang Monthly Magazine

March 2012 Mustang Monthly Magazine.
www.Virginia ClassicMustang.com

Our 289 K Code Mustang Convertible that has been the subject of many Blog posts here is featured on the cover of Mustang Monthly this month (March 2012 issue.)  We think Donald Farr did a great job on the article.  He's a long time Mustang guy, and he has been a great asset to the Mustang hobby over the years.

March 2012 Mustang Monthly Magazine.
www.Virginia ClassicMustang.com

March 2012 Mustang Monthly Magazine.
www.Virginia ClassicMustang.com

It is interesting to note that the car also was featured in the December 1986 issue of Mustang Monthly.

Wow, that was over 25 years ago!!

December 2006 Mustang Monthly Magazine.
www.Virginia ClassicMustang.com

December 2006 Mustang Monthly Magazine.
www.Virginia ClassicMustang.com

1965 289 High Performance Fastback Engine Project

Our friend, Jim Smart from Mustang Monthly Magazine is currently working on a project involving the engine detailing on a nice 1965 HiPo Mustang Fastback. The car recently appeared in the magazine, and the engine detailing article will appear later. We supplied many of the parts for the project including brake lines, valve covers, air cleaner, decals and tags, wiring, etc. Here are some quick photos. We post updates on this project later.

John Murphy's 1965 Mustang GT Fastback

You just have to check out the November 2008 issue of Mustang Monthly Magazine. Our friend, Jim Smart has put together another great article. This time the car featured is John Murphy's fantastic '65 Mustang GT "K Code" Fastback. John's Fastback is one of the nicest 289 High Performance Mustangs anywhere!

To read more about John's really cool car and see lots more photos, please see our previous blog entries about this 289 HiPo Mustang:

Part 1

Part 2

Customer Car-1969 GT Mustang Sportsroof

You may want to check out the latest issue (September 2009) issue of Mustang Monthly Magazine. One of the articles features a 1969 Mustang Sportsroof owned by long time customer, George Parker. George has a very nice car. It is also quite a unique Mustang since it is equipped with the GT package. The Mach 1 package was very popular in 1969, so the GT package is rather rare. The article is written by Jim Smart.

We would also like to thank Jim for the photos of George's car that are shown here.

Mustang Towne Tops (Hardtops)

Again, we want to thank our friend, John Murphy for providing the great information and pictures about this Hardtop that was available for the '65-66 Mustangs. It is truly a unique accessory, and John knows more about these tops than anyone. These pictures are of the top installed on his beautiful 1966 Mustang Convertible that we have featured here in our Blog. Also check out the article about this Mustang in the January 2008 edition of Mustang Monthly.

Here's John's story:


Here are more images and information than you will probably need or
want about the Towne Top. Included you will find photos of the mounting
brackets and hardware, an instruction sheet that came with all of the tops,
a short history of these tops and details showing how different areas of the
top mate to the car. This top was made by Dory Development Co. of New York,
the design beginning shortly after the introduction of the Mustang on April
17, 1964. Mr. Moss had already made removable tops for the Corvair
convertible, and as soon as he saw his first Mustang he knew they were going
to be a popular car and wanted to supply a top for this stylish personal
sized car being sold by Ford dealers across the nation. He employed one
salesman who contacted "Ford dealers, upscale garages and trend setting auto
parts suppliers" and urged them to market the Towne Top. I have most of the
sales records for the Towne Tops showing where each was sold. At a retail
price of $289.00 they failed to attract the attention of many buyers, and
at some time the remainder of the inventory was destroyed.

As an interesting note, the Dory Development Corporation was not the
only company who designed and sold "take off" tops for the early Mustangs.
Parrish Plastics manufactured tops as well. You can see a picture of a
Parrish Plastic Company top in "Mustang Does It", a very nice hardbound book
published in 1978 by the Evergreen Press (Ray Miller, author). In 1994,
Jerry Hensley wrote an article for Mustang Monthly showing both types of
tops. The Parrish top used the rear glass from a Mustang coupe while the
Towne Top used a flat glass rear window. Both mounted pretty much the same
way, and both tops are very rare. Parrish also made tops for mid year
Corvettes (1963 - 67). At this time, we know of three of each brand of top
that are in good enough condition to be mounted on a car and used. I have
information locating several other tops but they are at this time either in
storage or "undergoing restoration"

I have driven this car with top attached at speeds in excess of 85 MPH
and can assure you that with fresh weather striping it is as quiet as a
coupe. The car is very tight and solid with the top on and also very quiet.
It is a "two man" job to install or remove, the top weighing about 85 pounds
and also too large for an ordinary sized person to grasp. The Towne Tops
came in either black or tan, and options included a stainless bar making it
look a bit like a Crown Victoria of the mid fifties, and a dome light.

Should you know of one of these rare accessories we would ask two things -
share this information with the owner, and ask him or her to contact John
Murphy, 309 13th St., Pawnee Il 62558 and share the story of their top.
Thanks for your interest in this very rare accessory for an early Mustang.

1965 GT350 Mustang

When you get a chance, check out the April 2008 edition of Mustang Monthly. That's our very own '65 GT350 Mustang featured. As always, our friend, Jim Smart did a fantastic job with the article. Jim has been writing about Mustangs and Shelbys for probably over 25 years now!