The Final Touches

The Mach 1 saga continues. After many months of wrapping up some of the details of the car (i.e. some electrical issues and 4 exhaust system attempts) and in light of the limited time I have available, I have made a decision to get the car to an expert to close the deal.

Yes, I said 4 exhaust systems! It seems that no one can produce the correct system for this car off the shelf. So, after returning these I am having a custom built system made up that is cut and bent to the factory specifications. I also had some issues with the wiring and while I do have a fair amount of skills in rebuilding cars, I admit that diagnosing and repairing electrical systems is one of my weaker points.

Since the car has not had a state safety inspection sticker put on it since 1989 (!) and the fact that while I could have driven it to the shop, I just did not want to chance a ticket. Unfortunately, this meant having the car flat bedded to the shop. Except for the initial shake-down cruise we took around the block last year, this is the first time in 17 years the car has been away from home. Very stressful, indeed.

I called our local towing company and asked for a flat bed to take the car up to Worcester. Fortunately, the driver is a car guy and respected what my concerns were; to the point of allowing me to help him load and unload the car. We made it to the shop without issue and as I shook the hand of the shop owner - himself a Mustang fan - he said to me that the car was in good hands. I sit and wait patiently for its return

Pat and Kate's Excellent Adventure!

Unlike the 80's cult movie of similar name (Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure) Patrick and Kate will not be using time travel as their means of moving on to their new home - Cary, North Carolina. They are taking yet another 14 hour 'jaunt' in their cars. After months of planning, multiple trips back and forth to NC, these pioneers are taking the plunge and moving on to new ground.

It seems like yesterday when I told a very pregnant Grace one night that I was not interested in going to work the next day. That next morning we were on our way to Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick see Patrick come into the world. Some 26 years later, through a lot of laughs and tears, school, a few broken bones, a few of life's stumbles, and a fabulous marriage, they are taking yet another step in their lives. As parents, we are terribly sadden to see them leave, but we know in our hearts that this is what they need to do to realize their dream of owning home and raising a family. Thankfully, today's technology will allow us to stay in constant touch and I am sure that we will be making use of some frequent flyer miles (and maybe a few Harley road trips!)

Patrick and Kate - we are so proud of you, your accomplishments and your courage in taking this giant leap. Their is a saying among bikers, "it is not about the destination, but the journey". Have a safe journey.

Love, Dad and Mom