AZMCC QUESTIONS

DIRK HOWARD'S ANSWERS AND COMMENTS

I was raised a military brat. That means I never lived on one place for more than 3 years until I graduated from high school and received an invitation to go into the Army because my draft number was picked. Bloomington Illinois was my home for 30 years after I got out of the Air Force.

I have lived in Gilbert since the summer of 1997. The company I work for gave me the opportunity to work in a new data center in Phoenix.

Off the frame full restore 1973 Mustang convertible that is red with white top and interior. It has the 351C (H) engine and FMX automatic transmission. It also has the front spoiler, ram air, and the slotted mag wheels that were optional on the ’73 only. This car has no aftermarket chrome or other goodies, it almost looks like it did in a dealers showroom!

When I got out of the Air Force, I bought my first new car. It was a 1973 Mustang Mach 1 that was metallic blue with silver stripes. It had the 351C engine and the C6 tranny. In 1975 I got a Mustang II cobra that had the 302 engine, automatic, and was white with blue stripes. In 1981 I got a Mustang GT with 302 and auto that was all black. It had the front air dam, rear spoiler and louvered rear window cover.

I have to say the one I have now. I like it better every time I drive it and people yell or wave. It is a real attention getter!

I attended the Pavilions car show a couple of months ago.

The biggest influence was when I saw a mustang on the internet last year that brought back so many memories that I just had to have one again after 20 years. I am about to retire, the price was right and I was going to need a hobby.

Route 66 from Flagstaff to Needles California. The old part of 66 from Kingman to Needles brought back memories from the 50’s. That’s a long story!

Driving from Bloomington Illinois to visit by brother in Colorado Springs. I would drive back with the car loaded (including the front passenger seat) with cases Coors beer. Back then it was not sold East of the Mississippi. I was stopped by the Highway Patrol in Kansas and was told it was illegal to transport alcohol across state lines. The officer said he really liked my ’73 Mach and if I would not touch the beer until I got home, he did not see me!

Take good care of your Mustang. There is nothing like the memories a one owner car has to offer!

Driving a classic convertible muscle car in Arizona weather!  And meeting people that love Mustangs and are a valuable source of Mustang knowledge!  

Collect US coins, photography, and travel.

As a Military Brat, I not only lived in a lot of places, but I also had hundreds of friends in my life. I found out that there are 47 people in Arizona that I went to high school with in Frankfurt Germany in the 60’s. We have regular get-togethers and have a lot of fun!