My first ride was a British racing green VW convertible with a black top and chrome wheels. Today I’m going to talk about my first Mustang. A 1979 coupe.

I’m your host, Gary Neidert. Thanks for listening to and watching My First Ride Podcast.

This podcast is about nostalgia. Automotive nostalgia. You know, reliving the events, sights, smells, and emotions of special memories connected to our favorite rides.

Said another way…it’s about allowing our memories to travel back in time and experience our special car moments all over again.

As I said in the introduction, my first car was a 1964 VW convertible. That car was so much fun to drive, and I have lots of great memories associated with it.

However, I did yearn for more power than the VW could deliver.

When I was a senior in high school, a friend let me drive his 67 Mustang fastback in the parking lot. I couldn’t help but punch it a couple of times to smoke the tires and make noise. So much fun.

The memory of power in the parking lot lingered in my memory for a long time.

And then….in the mid eighties I bought my first Mustang. It was a light medium blue coupe with chrome wheels, 4 speed, 302 and glass packs. It was like being back in the school parking lot again.….so much fun.

Today I’m talking about some of the 1979 Mustang history.

1979 was a year of transition for the iconic Ford Mustang. This marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. In this episode, I talk about what made the 1979 Ford Mustang such a noteworthy vehicle.
Before I talk about the specifics of the '79 Mustang, it's important to understand the context of the time. The '70s were an era characterized by significant changes in the automotive industry. Fuel efficiency and emissions regulations were becoming increasingly important, and traditional American muscle cars were facing a crisis. The 1973 oil embargo had sent shockwaves through the industry, causing a shift in priorities. In other words, higher miles per gallon was more important than more horsepower.

The '79 Mustang marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Mustang brand. It set the stage for the subsequent Fox-body Mustangs that would dominate the '80s and early '90s. Its influence can still be seen in today's Mustang models, which continue to captivate enthusiasts worldwide.
In the big picture of the Ford Mustang, the 1979 model year is a pivotal chapter. It represented a resurgence of the classic Mustang spirit in the face of changing times and regulations. Its timeless design, spirited performance, and cultural significance secured its place as a cherished classic car.

In the next episode I’ll talk about the fifth generation Mustang, also known as the s197. This generation was produced from 2005 to 2014 with several models throughout that time.

More specifically, I’ll talk about the Mustang GT California Special which was first introduced in 1968 with a targeted production run of 5000. The GT/California Special was reintroduced in 2007 and was produced through 2009. It was brought back several times up until 2017.

So, be sure and check back to learn more about the GT/California Special, and why it’s of interest to me.

I’m looking for people that would enjoy telling the stories of their first rides and how their lives were influenced by them. And I bet you probably know someone that would be a great guest for My First Ride Podcast, right? Let me know a little about them and their story.

What about telling your story on the podcast? Let me know a little about you and your first ride.

Check us out and subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast and more. You can also go to My First Ride Podcast on YouTube. When you do, be sure to like, share and subscribe. And of course, you can also go to the website at MyFirstRidePodcast.com.

One final thought….

You may not have your first ride, but you still have the memories. It’s time to share them.

Contact me if you have questions regarding today’s podcast or would like to be a guest on My First Ride Podcast. Send an email to myfirstridepodcast@gmail.com.

I’m Gary Neidert and you’ve just experienced My First Ride Podcast.

Thanks for listening. Thanks for watching.