George Barrich     Cotati, CA

Member since 2005

My Grabber Blue, '72 Mach 1 is a real work in progress, and my savings account balance proves it !   If I owe you any money, please do not look at these photos.

These '71-73 Mustangs were actually designed with big blocks in mind and were designed years before production actually began at the hieght of the Muscle Car Era '68, '69, '70.  However, the big block 429 was no longer available after 1971.  Left-wing government regulations and soaring insurance rates finally caugh up with Muscle Car lovers and brought this first series of Mustangs to a screaching halt in 1973.

I'm a big boy weighing in at over 220 pounds, and I find these cars simply a dream to drive and my favorite Mustang of that fantastic Muscle Car Era in our nation's history.  But then again, I still wear my platform shoes when listening and dancing to my 8-track tapes.

Here's how one person describes these '71-73 Mustangs better than I.

"In the late 60's Henry Ford II, brought Semon 'Bunkie' Knudsen from General Motors to manage Ford Motor Company. Mr. Knudsen wanted to breath new life into the Mustang and brought his Head Chevrolet Stylist, Larry Shinoda (of Corvette Sting Ray fame) to Ford to orchestrate the redesign. It is arguably Mustang's best design and of a style still duplicated today by such revered marques as the Bentley Continental. While the new Fourth Series was often maligned as 'bigger and heavier,' this notion apparently resulted from an illusion created by just being lower and wider than previous models. Stats indicate the '71 fastback weighs 50 lbs LESS than the 1970 (despite the 71's addition of box-section door beams), is only one-inch longer, but a half inch lower and almost 3 INCHES WIDER.

At the time, sports and GT cars from Europe were gaining in popularity and were regarded for their sterling road manners, and the '71 was engineered in that tradition. While this Mustang is not harsh riding like many of its European sports counterparts, its ride is compliant while possessing sufficiently firm suspension to allow flat cornering and neutral steering.

For years the Fourth Series was disregarded by lovers of earlier Mustangs, but in recent years it has become highly collectible. In 1998, at Knott's Berry Farm's 'Fabulous Fords Forever' meet there were three: a Fastback, a Mach I and a Boss 351. This year there were over two dozen. A couple years ago you'd find a handful of 71-73's listed on eBay. Today there are over 50. In the last several years, prices of premium examples have soared and continue to do so..."

My '71 Mustang convertible is my first Mustang that I purchased just a few years ago, and a tribute to the Mach 1s of the 70's era.   Ford never built a Mach 1 convertible, but many people have attempted to do so around the country with great success. I just came to realize that almost every option available on a Mach 1 was available for the convertible.  I saw a car like mine at the Calistoga Car show with the original build sheet, and it was nothing short of a true Mach 1.

A fact worth mentioning, Ford built ten times as many hard tops as they did convertibles making these convertible Mustangs some of the most rare of the first generation Mustangs.

http://www.muscularmustangs.com/database/1971.php

Below is my neighborhood patrol vehicle...   I like to make Harley riders shake in their boots when they pass by.  I have been known to park in front of the local biker bar in Cotati and yell for anyone to come outside who wants lose their pink slips.  I haven't won any money, but I have lost four teeth and had to replace these handle bars three times now...

Below is my karaoke nightlife land yauht..... I mean, what would you drive home at 2AM in the morning with all the drunks on the road?

Hit me. Make my day !

I found this one owner, 1977 Lincoln Mark V locally with 35,000 original miles.  Too nice to drive. So, I am keeping this for my old age and just for show. This one will be used as my coffin when I die. Cheaper and more comfortable than a coffin, too !

My "OJ" Get-A-Way

Papa's Corvette.

So, I finally found myself a daily stress reliever for myself, my 1990 Cadillac Coupe Deville, 44,000 miles and a real dream boat of a car.  I can come home from work, get into this car and watch my blood pressure go down 30 points.  Maybe I will just sell everything I own and travel the world in this car someday. I paid high Blue Book for this car at $3,000.00 and cannot believe how perfect this car is in every way. I guess I am showing my age. Some nights when I am getting yelled at, I just go sleep in this car, and I'm fine.

George's newest find. A 1988 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz with 36,000 original miles. Transmission was blown, but had it repaired locally. This was a rare find from a nice family in the east bay.  They definately don't make cars like this anymore. The color is metallic charcoal black with a red wine interior. Nearly perfect in every way. Not much to do on this one except enjoy what was once a $30,000.00 car brand new. It's hard to believe, but these cars are out there if you look hard enough.

Happy Motorings, and Let's Cruise !