Old fart here

[GeorgeC]

56 here and have done 100% all my work since owning my 1969 Fastback Mustang in high school to now. I've done things on the street that getting to this age is a true mystery!

No doubt a lot more cautious these days and will actually think before acting..

Short video of when Fox body Mustangs were "it". Some of the ones that were daily driven to work and/or drag raced in the mid 90's. Race/Fix/Work... repeat

Great video 71 on the 30th of this month I really hope to do a wheelie before I check out of this life.

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[Sparty Stang]

62; and absolutely never, never exceed the speed limit in my 350GT

 

[spectreman]

I turn 60 in 6 days. This has been a supremely crappy year for me but I'm glad to have made it to 60 as many of my former coworkers and colleagues have not made it this far. I sure hope my 61st year is a better one. Allow me to explain.

I had a near-fatal surgery in May (during the height of the covid scare) from which I'm still recovering. A large, non-cancerous tumor was found on my hip but the surgery had major painful, annoying and long-term complications. I still walk funny from it and that has caused other issues. I think that, as a result of the surgery, I tore my meniscus in my opposing knee because of the stress I shifted onto that leg. Great, right?

Even so, a month later I was back at work, doing 12 hour days (stupidly but because I was dedicated to my job.) At that time, I owned a lightly modded, beautiful 2009 GT500 (Mustang #7) which I loved but figured that, after 4+ years of ownership & closing in on 80k, it was time to try something new.

After my brush w/death, I also figured I owed myself this one and narrowed my next car choices down to a '13 Boss 302 and a '19 Bullitt. After much searching, I'd found 2 great choices but got such a fantastic deal on the Bullitt (my 2nd as I previously owned an '08 version), I went that route. Hindsight being what it is, that may have been a mistake & I probably should've gone w/the less expensive Boss. Read on for further & it becomes more clear.

Then a month or so ago I started having chest & jaw pains. Knowing the symptoms well, a week later (just prior to Thanksgiving) I went in for another cardiac catheterization & was awarded my 3rd stent. I had a 95% blockage in the major artery that supplies blood to the right half of the heart.

Bad as that was, I was back at work the following Monday (5 days later!) & was summoned to the boss' office for a very late after-hours meeting, only to be summarily fired for no good reason. Yes, in FLA, which is a "right to work" state, they can do that. Left high & dry after the year I'd had, only weeks away from my birthday, the holidays, the annual bonus and being vested in the pension. How's that for a solid kick in the teeth?

As much as I like/enjoy my Bullitt, I now find myself regretting the decision to sell the GT500 and buy it. I should've been looking at my crystal ball before making the purchase but my emotional desires got ahead of my rational thinking. She's a blast to drive- the performance, comfort and build quality are phenomenal & I enjoy all the amenities it has, especially in comparison to my raw bones GT500, but again, in hindsight, I now wish I hadn't purchased it.

Thanks for letting me vent. Sorry, don't mean to bring anyone down, especially at this time of year.
Lee

 

[Ecoboosted]

I turn 60 in 6 days. This has been a supremely crappy year for me but I'm glad to have made it to 60 as many of my former coworkers and colleagues have not made it this far. I sure hope my 61st year is a better one. Allow me to explain.

I had a near-fatal surgery in May (during the height of the covid scare) from which I'm still recovering. A large, non-cancerous tumor was found on my hip but the surgery had major painful, annoying and long-term complications. I still walk funny from it and that has caused other issues. I think that, as a result of the surgery, I tore my meniscus in my opposing knee because of the stress I shifted onto that leg. Great, right?

Even so, a month later I was back at work, doing 12 hour days (stupidly but because I was dedicated to my job.) At that time, I owned a lightly modded, beautiful 2009 GT500 (Mustang #7) which I loved but figured that, after 4+ years of ownership & closing in on 80k, it was time to try something new.

After my brush w/death, I also figured I owed myself this one and narrowed my next car choices down to a '13 Boss 302 and a '19 Bullitt. After much searching, I'd found 2 great choices but got such a fantastic deal on the Bullitt (my 2nd as I previously owned an '08 version), I went that route. Hindsight being what it is, that may have been a mistake & I probably should've gone w/the less expensive Boss. Read on for further & it becomes more clear.

Then a month or so ago I started having chest & jaw pains. Knowing the symptoms well, a week later (just prior to Thanksgiving) I went in for another cardiac catheterization & was awarded my 3rd stent. I had a 95% blockage in the major artery that supplies blood to the right half of the heart.

Bad as that was, I was back at work the following Monday (5 days later!) & was summoned to the boss' office for a very late after-hours meeting, only to be summarily fired for no good reason. Yes, in FLA, which is a "right to work" state, they can do that. Left high & dry after the year I'd had, only weeks away from my birthday, the holidays, the annual bonus and being vested in the pension. How's that for a solid kick in the teeth?

As much as I like/enjoy my Bullitt, I now find myself regretting the decision to sell the GT500 and buy it. I should've been looking at my crystal ball before making the purchase but my emotional desires got ahead of my rational thinking. She's a blast to drive- the performance, comfort and build quality are phenomenal & I enjoy all the amenities it has, especially in comparison to my raw bones GT500, but again, in hindsight, I now wish I hadn't purchased it.

Thanks for letting me vent. Sorry, don't mean to bring anyone down, especially at this time of year.
Lee

Sorry to hear this Lee. Hopefully things will turn around going into the new year.

 

[myblkshadow19]

age is just a state of mind, that being said at 53 i still act like a teenager who was handed the keys to a 70 chevelle big block at least once a day as mine is my daily driver currently.....

 

[rocky5517]

I'm 69, and hit 136 mph on a quiet Sunday afternoon here in N Jersey. Covid had a lot of people staying home ( not true anymore)and I figured this was my chance. Was on a good highway, no traffic, no cops, no deer, no potholes. Hit it while you can, boys.

 

[hlfbkd420]

I didn’t buy a supercharger to go slow

 

[Bikeman315]

I'm 69, and hit 136 mph on a quiet Sunday afternoon here in N Jersey. Covid had a lot of people staying home ( not true anymore)and I figured this was my chance. Was on a good highway, no traffic, no cops, no deer, no potholes. Hit it while you can, boys.

80, NJT, or GSP? I remember my favorite stretches.

 

[rocky5517]

80, NJT, or GSP? I remember my favorite stretches.

Rt 280 in the Oranges Parkway, 80 and turnpike are really heavy with troopers

 

[GeorgeC]

I turn 60 in 6 days. This has been a supremely crappy year for me but I'm glad to have made it to 60 as many of my former coworkers and colleagues have not made it this far. I sure hope my 61st year is a better one. Allow me to explain.

I had a near-fatal surgery in May (during the height of the covid scare) from which I'm still recovering. A large, non-cancerous tumor was found on my hip but the surgery had major painful, annoying and long-term complications. I still walk funny from it and that has caused other issues. I think that, as a result of the surgery, I tore my meniscus in my opposing knee because of the stress I shifted onto that leg. Great, right?

Even so, a month later I was back at work, doing 12 hour days (stupidly but because I was dedicated to my job.) At that time, I owned a lightly modded, beautiful 2009 GT500 (Mustang #7) which I loved but figured that, after 4+ years of ownership & closing in on 80k, it was time to try something new.

After my brush w/death, I also figured I owed myself this one and narrowed my next car choices down to a '13 Boss 302 and a '19 Bullitt. After much searching, I'd found 2 great choices but got such a fantastic deal on the Bullitt (my 2nd as I previously owned an '08 version), I went that route. Hindsight being what it is, that may have been a mistake & I probably should've gone w/the less expensive Boss. Read on for further & it becomes more clear.

Then a month or so ago I started having chest & jaw pains. Knowing the symptoms well, a week later (just prior to Thanksgiving) I went in for another cardiac catheterization & was awarded my 3rd stent. I had a 95% blockage in the major artery that supplies blood to the right half of the heart.

Bad as that was, I was back at work the following Monday (5 days later!) & was summoned to the boss' office for a very late after-hours meeting, only to be summarily fired for no good reason. Yes, in FLA, which is a "right to work" state, they can do that. Left high & dry after the year I'd had, only weeks away from my birthday, the holidays, the annual bonus and being vested in the pension. How's that for a solid kick in the teeth?

As much as I like/enjoy my Bullitt, I now find myself regretting the decision to sell the GT500 and buy it. I should've been looking at my crystal ball before making the purchase but my emotional desires got ahead of my rational thinking. She's a blast to drive- the performance, comfort and build quality are phenomenal & I enjoy all the amenities it has, especially in comparison to my raw bones GT500, but again, in hindsight, I now wish I hadn't purchased it.

Thanks for letting me vent. Sorry, don't mean to bring anyone down, especially at this time of year.
Lee

I'm sure it's gonna be a better year for you coming up. Try to change your perspective you can look at this as a tragedy losing your job or as a great opportunity for something much better
Much luck to you look at it this you could have died from that operation you think God brought you this far to dump you on your ass. Keep the faith Lee

 

[Bikeman315]

Rt 280 in the Oranges Parkway, 80 and turnpike are really heavy with troopers

Funny I don't recall driving RT280 at anything more than 5MPH. Traffic was always a bitch especially with the insane sun glare. But you did say with covid.

 

[analogman]

63 here. My 2015 GT is the 5th Mustang I've owned, starting with my first car way back in the early 70's, a rusty 1965 convertible. I bought my car in part because the styling reminded me of a 1969 Mustang Fastback ("Sports Roof") I used to own back in high school.

 

[rocky5517]

Funny I don't recall driving RT280 at anything more than 5MPH. Traffic was always a bitch especially with the insane sun glare. But you did say with covid.

Once you get past Newark and the Oranges, westbound, it opens up, but yes, the Covid had the highways deserted, for a while. To the point where they were posting signs on the Parkway and Turnpike warning you that speeders will be prosecuted. But friend who's in law enforcement said no cops were pulling people over because they didn't want to be exposed to any unneeded contact with people. It was great while it lasted.

 

[GeorgeC]

I guess being 50 now makes me officially old but yeah, I drive it pretty aggressively and hoon it a bit. I enjoy a good backroad, onramp and revving it on underpasses and tunnels. What's the point of having a car like this if you just cruise around. I don't do the stupid stuff I did as a teenager, though.

50 is the new 35 enjoy.

 

[frank s]

I'm 69, and hit 136 mph on a quiet Sunday afternoon here in N Jersey. Covid had a lot of people staying home ( not true anymore)and I figured this was my chance. Was on a good highway, no traffic, no cops, no deer, no potholes. Hit it while you can, boys.

There are many ways to find an appropriate piece of road to drive at double the rational speed limit. The best such places are actual automotive racing tracks, where all traffic is going the same way, you can (usually) trust that others you might encounter are tuned-in with regard to the physics of the situation, and such venues most frequently are complete with emergency and medical experts.

Out there in West Texas and Nevada there are a couple of open road races with miles-long sections where just about any car drivable on a paved surface can reach their top speed. Several locations country-wide offer standing or flying miles, where very high, if not top, speeds can be achieved. They typically require extensive safety modifications to the basic vehicles.

All those are organized and relatively responsible options. Others might not be so legitimate. Picking a local highway and turning your ponies loose is a bad choice. You should feel very, very bad about doing it. You might think you've considered and can handle all the possible developments that could cause harm to others or yourself. Not so. It's just impossible to anticipate everything that could go wrong. Even Superman can't do that.

So, if you think it's a good idea to go twice the speed limit and immortalize it on the InterWebz, you have made two seriously bad decisions. And you should lose sleep over your past actions. But not repeat them. You can't get away with that kind of stuff forever. Quit it now while you and the rest of us are OK.

Pretty nice rant, eh?

I'm very close to someone who at a very advanced age has traveled at double the highest speed limit in his state (70 MPH) in two different cars, within the two immediately preceding years. Both episodes in the same venue: a verifiably deserted mile-and-a-half stretch of two-lane side of a divided freeway. The mile-and-a-half lost its loneliness where a merge from a surface street was inserted. The road was the first piece of a freeway that followed a four-way, very busy, traffic-light controlled intersection. Sit in the left-turn lane at the end of the opposite-direction freeway, through the cycle of the lights, the emptiness of that first section of freeway is confirmed. There will be no possible encounters with other traffic until the mile-and-a-half is traversed. The cars were both capable of reaching—and did—the double-the-limit goal and then braking to the legitimate limit before the first merge, but it wasn't necessary. since no one chose to merge in that interval of time, so the acceleration could continue for another half mile. Happy, happy, joy, joy. Many, many Ms Per Hour. Just this once twice.

Come to think of it, that same person to whom I am very, very close drove a 2008 Mustang at 143.3 GPS-verified MPH on a rural highway cleared and closed for the occasion by the local gendarmerie, albeit at a much less advanced age (three-score and ten, plus two).

The point is: It's wrong to drive at higher-than-basic-speed-law velocities in circumstances potentially harmful to one's self or others. Convince me that you can quit any time you want, or that you've already quit..

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