Once out onto the freeway, however, this polite little ponycar quickly transformed into a rip-snortin' musclecar. As we all know, with 3.25 gearing and a whopping 427 lb-ft of axle twist, these cars were made for high-end blasts. I hit 60 in Third gear, pedal-floored it, and slammed the shifter into Fourth around 65. With the pedal still mashed, the Mustang charged ahead with stunning force, and the few other cars that were on the road suddenly became specks in my rearview mirror. I gripped the pencil-thin steering rim 'til my hands were sweaty, trying to keep this beast tracking in a straight line while I watched my mirrors for flashing lights from behind. The steady roar belching from the exhaust tips and the blurring scenery served as a reminder to glance at the speedo, which had just swept past the legal limit. At this point, I was half expecting to see a black '68 Charger climb right up the back end of the Dark Moss Green GT, but the bank of slow-moving rigs ahead forced me to snap out of it and back the Mustang down to a little more composed speed. What a blast!
With so many Mustangs being modified these days, it's a rare treat to drive a low-mile, pure-stock, all-original version of Ford's first crack at a purebred musclecar. Bone stock, these cars were capable of mid-14-second quarters. Up until we hit 60, I had my doubts. Cracked into Fourth gear, however, with the go-pedal mashed, the GT's astounding top end will more than make up for the bottom.
Ross still asserts that he'll never part with his pride and joy. Brian just says, "We'll see."