If you’ve ever caught Mustang fever, you know it doesn’t take much. Sometimes all it takes is one good friend, one beautiful ’65 Fastback, and one road trip through Chicago to make you realize there’s suddenly an empty space in your garage that desperately needs filling.

That’s pretty much what happened to today’s guest, Ryan.

After watching his friend restore a ’65 Fastback—and then seeing that car roll through Chicago on a road trip from Kansas back home to Richmond, Virginia—Ryan was officially infected. The cure? A 1966 Mustang coupe, finished in gorgeous Vintage Burgundy, with a 289 V8 and a three-speed manual.

And here’s a connection I particularly like: Ryan found his Mustang in the San Francisco Bay Area, the same part of California where I found Jewel, my ’65 convertible.

But buying the car was only the beginning. Ryan brought the Mustang home to the Chicago suburbs, and now, through a few trials, plenty of learning, and some modifications along the way, he’s turning it into a project he can share with his kids.

Today we’re talking about catching Mustang fever, buying a classic from across the country, learning as you go, and why working on an old Mustang with your kids might be one of the best modifications you can make.

Ryan, welcome to Ford Mustang: The Early Years.

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Connect with Doug

[email protected]

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

Want to be a guest on the show?

Send an email to me: [email protected]

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

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With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Some Mustang stories are about horsepower, some about restorations, and others, family traditions. Rick's story is about love, determination, and keeping a promise. When his aging mother shared one final wish—to ride once more in the 1965 Mustang convertible she had owned before it was sold while his father was serving in Vietnam—Rick set out on an incredible mission. Against the odds, he tracked down her original car, brought it back into the family, and later honored her memory by taking one final ride with her ashes resting on the console, alongside his sons. It's a story that spans generations and reminds us that sometimes a classic Mustang becomes much more than a car—it becomes the keeper of a family's most treasured memories. Rick has owned that special Mustang for the past eight years, and today he's here to share the remarkable journey behind it. Rick, welcome to Ford Mustang: The Early Years.

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Connect with Doug

[email protected]

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

Want to be a guest on the show?

Send an email to me: [email protected]

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Some Mustangs are bought. Some are built. And then there are the rare ones that become part of a family's story for generations.

Today's guest is Robert, the caretaker of a very special 1966 Mustang that has been in his family since it rolled off the showroom floor. Originally purchased new by his grandfather, the car found its way to Robert when his grandfather passed away, making it much more than a classic Mustang—it's a family legacy on four wheels.

Although Robert has only been the owner for a few years, he's continuing a story that began nearly 60 years ago. Today we'll talk about his grandfather, the memories tied to the car, what it's like preserving an original family Mustang, and why some cars become part of who we are.

Robert, welcome to Ford Mustang: The Early Years. We're glad you're here.

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Connect with Doug

[email protected]

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

Want to be a guest on the show?

Send an email to me: [email protected]

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Some people own a classic Mustang. Others build a relationship with one over a lifetime.

Today's guest has lived with the same Mustang for more than 36 years. What began as a father-and-son project at age 15 became something much bigger—a place to learn, to heal, and to stay connected to the man who first handed him a wrench. Through new floors, fresh paint, engine swaps, brake upgrades, and countless hours in the garage, this Mustang has been there for every major chapter of his life. And even after losing his father five years ago, the ritual continues—one drive, one polish, one memory at a time.

This isn't just a story about restoring a Mustang. It's about how sometimes the cars we love end up restoring us.

Let's welcome Jon to the show.

Jon Joriman's Mustang Story:

My father was a huge classic car guy. He bought and sold multiple cars, and I would help or be in the way in my preteen and teen years. I fell in love with Mustangs when I was about 15. My father purchased one as a father/son project, and I still have it 36 years later. I am now 51.  I have painted it, replaced the 289 with a 6-banger, replaced the floors, new interior, and installed disc brakes in the front. I have touched every nut and bolt over the years.  

The majority of the work happened at various times in my life where the garage was my therapy space - 16-18, trying to figure out life; 25-28, when I had a new family; 45-50, becoming an empty nester and dealing with his death. About 5 years ago, my father passed away, and I still go out to the garage to polish or work on it. I drive it weekly to bring back great memories. The car is part of me, and I would be happy to share my story.  

I also inherited a 1957 Ford Retractable from him. He purchased it sight unseen when I was 4 - 45 years ago. It had a huge tree on the roof and trunk, which provided firewood for the winter and a starting car that was not good enough to junk, but my father had a vision, and the car has won national car shows.  But that is another podcast.  

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Connect with Doug

[email protected]

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

Want to be a guest on the show?

Send an email to me: [email protected]

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Back again to the podcast, Danny Stucker has been a car guy since he was old enough to hold a wrench, and since my latest addiction of buying and restoring Fords of all shapes and sizes, Danny has been a key motivator of all of the "outside my comfort zone" repairs over the last few years. Danny, welcome back to Ford Mustang: The Early Years Podcast.

Do you own an early-year Mustang?

Yes

How long have you owned your ride?

Yes, since 2020

If you've made improvements to your classic car or restored it, what work have you done?

Complete driveline upgrades and built a performance 6 cylinder 200

What plans do you have for improvements/restoration/modification of your classic car?

Coil over suspension 

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Connect with Doug

[email protected]

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

Want to be a guest on the show?

Send an email to me: [email protected]

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Jim Foster has owned his Mustang for nearly 50 years, and in that time, the car has become far more than just transportation. Nicknamed “DABEEST,” this Mustang has survived hundreds of thousands of miles, an engine rebuild after 450,000 miles on the road, a serious accident, and a full restoration that brought it back to life in 2008.

On this episode of Ford Mustang: The Early Years Podcast, James shares the stories behind decades of ownership, the upgrades that made the biggest difference, and what it’s like staying connected to the same classic car through so many chapters of life. If you’ve ever wondered what makes someone keep a Mustang for half a century, this conversation delivers the answer.

Snapshot

• Early Mustang owner for almost 50 years
• Owns a Mustang named “DABEEST”
• Not in the restoration or Mustang parts business
• Longtime enthusiast with a deep personal history tied to the car

• Rebuilt the engine after putting approximately 450,000 miles on the car
• Added:
• Shorty headers
• Edelbrock 600 CFM carburetor
• US MAG wheels/rims
• The car was involved in an accident in 2006
• Restoration completed, and the car returned in 2008
• www.dabeest.com

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

Want to be a guest on the show?

Send an email to me: [email protected]

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Rent your Classic Ford for commercials, film and special events

www.ClassicFordRentals.com

Sign up today free of charge 

Adam's Polishes: https://adamspolishes.com/

How have we not met until now -- and only then via coincidence. Mustangs, F-100s, and a laundry list of acquaintances in common.

Adam Pitale is the kind of guy who’s been obsessed with making things shine since he was a kid—literally starting by cleaning and polishing bikes as a pre-teen. That obsession turned into a hustle, then a business, and eventually into what we now know as Adam’s Polishes. He launched it back in 2000 in California, not from some grand plan, but because he needed to make a living—and figured there had to be a better way to keep things looking perfect.

Today, Adam’s built a global brand around that same mindset: a little obsessive, a little unconventional, and completely driven by doing things better than “good enough.” He’s the guy who’d rather wash a forklift—or Classic Ford —than let it stay dirty… and that pretty much tells you everything you need to know about how he shows up in business. 

I coincidentally connected with Adam when I saw he was recently selling a classic Ford truck on Marketplace. Which I must add did finally close. Adam, welcome to the podcast.

I have at least a half dozen of your products sitting in my garage right now -- coincidence? I think not.

Adam's Polishes https://adamspolishes.com/

Enzo's Hand Wash and Detail: https://www.enzoshandwash.com/

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Today on Ford Mustang: The Early Years Podcast, we’re talking legacy—real legacy. Our guest has been riding in the same Mustang since 1966… yeah, you heard that right. Bought new by his mom, it officially became his in 1980, and over the decades, it’s evolved into something far beyond stock—rebuilt from the ground up with just a couple of original pieces still hanging on.

He’s called it The Mistress, The Beast, and the Hot Rod… and once you hear this story, you’ll understand why.

If you love long-term ownership, serious transformation, and the kind of Mustang story you just can’t replicate today—this one’s for you. Let’s get into it. David Gast, welcome to the podcast.

Ford Mustang, The Early Years Podcast -- Guest Interview Application

============

Do you own an early-year Mustang?

Yes.

If you own a Mustang, how long have you owned your ride?

Mom bought it new. I have been in it since 1966, 60 years. It became mine around 1980.

If you own a Mustang or classic car, have you named your car? If so, what is his/her name?

She has been called The Mistress, The Beast, and the "Hot Rod" among other names over the years.

If you've made improvements to your classic car or restored it, what work have you done?

Drivetrain, Body, Interior, suspension, brakes. I think the only original parts are the rear end housing and the passenger door.

What plans do you have for improvements/restoration/modification of your classic car?

EFI, perhaps.

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Do you own an early-year Mustang?

Yes.

How long have you owned your ride?

4 years this past December.

Have you named your car?

Yes. I named her Merida from the Disney movie Brave. My license plate says BRVHRT ( Braveheart), and my last name is Wallace.

If you've made improvements to your classic car or restored it, what work have you done?

I upgraded the front suspension. I did the Shelby drop and installed GT springs. Wilsood disc brakes. I upgraded to a 9" rear-end with 3.55 gears. Replaced the 3-speed automatic transmission with a T-5.

What plans do you have for improvements/restoration/modification of your classic car?

None. I am completely finished. I even signed my glove box door.

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Today's guest is Jon Davis -- he can trace his Mustang roots back to the original owner. How cool would it be if we all could step into that time machine? Jon, welcome to Ford Mustang, The Early Years Podcast.

Quick recap:

In this episode of the Ford Mustang: The Early Years Podcast, host Doug interviewed John Davis about his 1965 Ford Mustang, which John purchased in 2011 from its third owner. John shared details about the car's history, including its assembly in San Jose, California, in August 1965, and its original LA market specifications. The Mustang, which John affectionately calls "Pony," has been well-maintained with recent suspension work and brake repairs, though John prefers its unrestored condition with its patina and original parts.

Connect with the show:

@mustangpodcast

https://www.instagram.com/mustangpodcast/

Interested in renting your Classic Ride for photo shoots?

ClassicFordRentals.com

Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.

Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.

An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang

www.TheMustangPodcast.com/repair

Sponsored by: National Parts Depot

www.npdlink.com

With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!

Email Doug: [email protected]

"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!" 

Doug Sandler

Rent your Classic Ford for commercials, film and special events

www.ClassicFordRentals.com

Sign up today free of charge