If you weren’t around in 1964, the rest of you born after have no ideas
what the Mustang did to the automotive world. While Chevy sold a hot rodded
version of the Corvair, and Dodge fed us ugly Darts, and Plymouth Valiants, Ford
had a better idea. Using an existing platform, the Falcon, they came up with
the Mustang, the car baby boomers were looking for but didn’t realize it. It
took brilliant marketing by Lido Iaccoca to help sell it, and with options
galore could be found in 6 cylinder with three on the floor, or up to 271
horsepower with the 289 and 4 on the floor. Styled like nothing else on the
road, it truly launched the Pony Car revolution, even though the Plymouth
Barracuda preceded it by two weeks. But if imitation was then, it still is now
the most sincere form of flattery, for out of the Mustang mold we would get
within a few years the Camaro, Firebird, Challenger, and a redesigned Barracuda,
called the “Cuda.” All based on the Pony Car concept of the Mustang. Even
Toyota would copy them with their first Celica based on both sedan and fastback
versions. Mustang sales may have dwindled, but today Ford celebrates the 50th
Anniversary of the Mustang, no one else even comes close. The Celica died in
1997, Chrysler pulled the plug on both cars in 1974, only to reintroduce the
Challenger a few years ago, the Camaro quit over a decade ago, along with the
Firebird, only revving the Camaro in 2010, Firebird along with Pontiac is gone ,
RIP. But Mustang survived despite the competition, and thrives today, the 2015
one I desire to own. It is fast, beautiful, and still looks like no other car
on the road. No confusing the Mustang for anything else, it is what it
is!
Mercury in 1967 brought us the Cougar, which eventually morphed into a
larger two door sedan. Then to a nameplate on badge engineered Mustang, an
Australian two seater, and then finally on a Mazda 626 based chassis, then went
away quietly. But Mercury had a hit in 1971 with the Capri, advertised as “The
Sexy European” imported by Lincoln Mercury. A smaller version of the Mustang,
it had a Pinto motor, but was sexy looking, and classy for the $2400 asking
price. They were a hot seller, then the Capri II, faced with the dreaded
“II”went upsized, was still a good car, but too pricey. I almost bought one
from a guy I worked with, it was nice car, but had too many wheels for me at the
time. I still liked the less rounded contours of the original like Gary Bobko
had, in brown with brown interior that looked like leather. With that cool map
reading light that extend from the dash. And with the 2000cc motor would run
pretty good, up to its 100 mph top speed. Sadly they are gone, I haven’t seen
one at any car show for years, maybe just the car we need today. Stylish,
quick, classy, good fuel economy, and priced so the younger set could afford
one. The others tried by imitation, it was Ford that had the better idea. One
look at the 2015 Mustang and you’ll agree. A Mustang has always been, and
hopefully always will be a Mustang.
God has a better idea too. He is called Jesus, and many are called to him
today. Sadly few answer, some finding a temporary satisfaction in a
counterfeit. A knockoff religion based on the truth, but then carefully molded
so that the author of it comes under no condemnation. Using himself as the
baseline, either you meet his standards, or fall short. We refer to them as
cults, and some even sound good, using God’s name in them. But beware, as 2John
warns, do not even wish them “God bless you,” or invite them in. They will
change you long before you change them. Eroding your faith, and leaving you
with a lie, and miserable. Yet confused Christians call me mean when I confront
these groups with the truth, and warn others to stay away. “But how will they
be saved if we don’t witness?” they cry. How about the same Holy spirit that
saved you? You were lost like they are, and Jesus saved you. The spirit
telling you “you need Jesus,” until you finally answered the call. God warns us
about such people, and the destruction they bring on themselves and others.
Jesus warns us to be “wise as a serpent, but gentle as a lamb.” Being in the
spirit will help you recognize and let you know what to do. By standing firm in
Jesus you are telling the truth, not their perverted truth, even Jesus took
offense and asked when seemingly being harsh, “have I become your enemy by
telling you the truth?”
A few years back a woman and some other ladies made things for the
elderly. Handcrafted, they met on Wednesdays, and had a great time of
fellowship, and sharing Jesus. Two Mormon women came and were welcomed, and to
make them not feel uncomfortable, the leader decided they would not talk about
Jesus. And the group shrunk, only growing in Mormon women, who then decided to
sell the goods they once gave away. Do not give the devil a foothold, if only
their pastor had stood firm on the word and shown them love via the truth.
Jesus is the truth, where were the wise serpents that day?
And so it goes, and so it will, others will try to imitate Jesus, but fall
short. They deny who he is, the only sin that will not be forgiven, and try to
add works, studies, family times, and finding fault with the scriptures. No one
has ever fought God and won, they are destined to lose too. As the devil and
his angels already have. We have Jesus, we have the future, and we win! No
other name by which you may be saved. Call on him today.
The Mustang is a survivor. Great ideas last longer, as others only imitate
and fade away. Don’t be confused by false claims, or rarity. If it was rare
when new, maybe it wasn’t popular then either. Only Jesus can claim to be the
same yesterday, today, and forever. The oldest nameplate on the planet. The
one all others try to copy, but fall short of. Some day a “sexy European” will
rise up as the anti-Christ, and the worst 7 years in earth history will begin.
But Jesus will return and rule forever. Don’t go through that time, get saved
today. God is a God of his word, he will return, and is patient that none
should perish. For all new believers be glad he is, and didn’t return any
sooner. That’s love. Found no where else in history, available from Jesus.
Read the owner’s manual he provides, and get to know him better. There is only
one original Pony Car, it is called Mustang, and there is only one true God.
His name is Jesus, get to know him today. Speed, comfort, and luxury...and at a
price you can afford!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
