Mustang Sally

To celebrate MotorFest 2020, each week RACQ Living will be conducting a Q&A with an entrant to find out a little bit more about them and their prized vehicle.

For the sixth instalment, Mustang enthusiast Richard Jasiecki shares the story of how he came to own his beloved 1969 428 Mach 1 Cobra Jet Mustang, dubbed Mustang Sally.

Think your vehicle has what it takes to win the RACQ MotorFest Judges Choice Award? Enter soon as nominations for the competition close at midnight on 31 July 2020.

Can you tell me a bit about the history of your Mustang?

A lady in America who went by the name Mustang Sally did the car up over a 10-year period. I bought her car from a classic car yard in California and had it imported about 15 years ago. The car came with a book that detailed everything about it and Mustang Sally, herself. Loving the story behind the car, I kept the name, and it still goes by Mustang Sally to this day.

What modifications/restorations have you done to the Mustang?

Since owning the car, I have lowered it a little, but that’s it. I also changed the wheels but kept the original magnum 500 rims and every now and then I will change the wheels to make it look a little different. It’s a small thing but can completely change the look of the car and takes it back to original.

Why is the 1969 428 Mach 1 Cobra Jet Mustang so special?

The whole reason I wanted one was when I was younger, I bought a car magazine, and it had a 428 Mustang as the centrefold. I had it hung on my wall for years and said one day I want to own one of these. The dream eventually came true about 50 years later.

What is your favourite thing about the Mustang?

It is all in the shape of the car, the Mustang may be 50 years old, but if you look at its shape, it seems like it was only produced in 2020. The shape of the car, in my opinion, is the pick of all the Mustangs. It’s just beautiful. Adding to that, it’s not slow either, and it has quite a bit of get up and go, which always puts a smile on your face.

Do you have a favourite memory with the Mustang?

When I was 17, the song Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison came on while I was driving my old Austin A40 and I thought what a great song, it kind of personified my youth. When I first got the Mustang from the States and went on my first drive some 50 years later, Pretty Woman came on the radio, and it nearly brought tears to my eyes.

What kind of reactions does the Mustang get?

I usually take the car out every Sunday morning and if I stop at a bakery, or anywhere, there is always someone wanting to take a photo and ask me about it. She’s a real head-turner. Most people are in amazement when they see it.

What does your family think of the Mustang?

They have always been very involved with the process. I was looking for a Mustang for a while and was looking at 302s and 351s. Unfortunately, the 428, which was my dream car, was a bit out of my budget. My son came to me and reminded me of the poster story and convinced me to save a bit longer to make my dream come true. He talked me into it (laughs). One day he will inherit the car, I’ll never sell it. I’ve asked him not to sell either and to pass it on to his son one day too. I want to keep it going through our family for generations.

What would it mean to win the RACQ MotorFest Judges Choice Award?

I have won a couple of trophies, but I never enter for that reason. I go to shows to display it to everyone. It would be great to win the MotorFest Judges Choice Award and get on the front cover of The Road Ahead magazine. I would be very proud of that achievement.

• Read part one – Tall stories, small car - 1968 Morris Mini Cooper S
• Read part two - A family heirloom in the making - 1981 BMW R100RS
• Read part three - A WWII tribute - 1952 Chevrolet Coupe Utility
• Read part four - One man’s trash, is another’s treasure - 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door hard top
• Read part five – family favourite - 1955 Holden FJ Utility
• Read part six - Like father, like son - 1958 Chrysler Ap2 Plainsman

For more details and to enter your vehicle, visit racq.com/motorfest. Get in quick as nominations for the competition close at midnight on 31 July 2020.