After that postrestoration touch-up, Emory began to reap the rewards of the extra labor. The following year at the '95 MCA Grand National, the Mach 1 nailed down a First Place win in the Occasional Driver class-a class in which he continues to participate and do extremely well. The next project, Emory explained to us, is the restoration of that '69 hardtop that originally displaced a Mach 1 for space in the Harrigan family driveway.
"My 15-year-old son has his eyes on it now, and my 13-year-old son is patiently waiting his turn."
As for the Mach 1, which inspired him so long ago, "It took me 18 years to get the one I really wanted," says Emory. "That's OK. I think I'm having more fun with it during my second childhood!"
The Mach 1 might have come a bit late, but as the saying goes, better late than never.