Welcome to the Ford Mustang The First Generation, The Early Years podcast, every week we will have conversations with collectors, experts, weekend warriors and those in the know when it comes to First Generation ponies. Start your engines and let’s go!
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Ford Mustang The First Generation, The Early Years Podcast, a podcast by Doug Sandler, Turnkey Podcast Production, TurnKey Podcast, Doug Sandler - Stats, Episodes and Rankings - My Podcast Data
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When your position is to build, under a bespoke license from Shelby, turn Ford Mustangs into carbon fiber Shelby race cars, you've got my attention. Welcome Igor Polegkiy to Ford Mustang: The Early Years
Ford Mustang, The Early Years Podcast -- Guest Interview Application
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Do you own an early-year Mustang?
No
If you own a Mustang or classic car, have you named your car? If so, what is his/her name?
My favorite from last year was Open Road, a beautiful 1967 GT500CR Carbon (prototype) that I raced at Sonoma.
We called her Open Road because it was the dealer that owned it. But she saw the open road many, many times for a 1-of-1 prototype.
Are you in the business of selling, modifying, repairing, or restoring Classic Mustangs?
Yes
Are you a supplier of products to Mustang and Classic Car enthusiasts?
Yes
If you've made improvements to your classic car or restored it, what work have you done?
We build, under a bespoke license from Shelby, turn Ford Mustangs into carbon fiber Shelby racecars.
We work directly with race chassis manufacturers, Shelby American, and our unique vendors to push the legacy of not only Ford but Carroll Shelby forward.
What plans do you have for improvements/restoration/modification of your classic car?
Our goal is to primarily continue innovating the 60s design for modern practical use. There is a right and wrong way to build a racecar - we do it the right way, the Texas way.
Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.
Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.
For one night, Bullitt comes home. This is a rare opportunity: the 58th anniversary of Bullitt's original release—we will watch Bullitt on an original 35mm film print obtained from the Warner Bros. Archives, projected in one of the most sophisticated screening venues, the Steven J. Ross Theater on the backlot of Warner Bros. who co-produced the film with Steve McQueen’s Solar Productions. Greeting guests on the red carpet for a fantastic photo opportunity for all attendees is a film-accurate 1968 Bullitt Mustang & Dodge Charger, the physical embodiment of cinematic history, together in one extraordinary night.
From a $50 Junkyard Mustang to a Garage Full of Show Winners
Season 1 · Episode 191
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 • Duration 01:01:04
Episode Guest: Charles Coats, serial first-generation Mustang owner
The trifecta of classic Mustangs—the coupe, convertible, and fastback—captures the essence of 1960s American automotive culture. The coupe, with its sleek and timeless design, offered a balance of style and practicality. The convertible embodied freedom and the open road, perfect for those who wanted to feel the wind in their hair while cruising. The fastback, known for its sporty and aerodynamic silhouette, appealed to performance enthusiasts with its powerful presence and racing pedigree. Each model played a crucial role in establishing the Mustang as an iconic and beloved American muscle car.
The first-generation Mustangs, produced from 1964.5 to 1967, marked the birth of one of America's most iconic cars. The Mustang was introduced by Ford on April 17, 1964, at the New York World's Fair. Initially dubbed the "1964.5" model, it was technically a 1965 model-year vehicle. The Mustang's launch was a groundbreaking moment in automotive history, creating the "pony car" class of American muscle cars—affordable, compact, and sporty cars with long hoods and short rear decks.
The 1965 Mustang came in three body styles: coupe, convertible, and fastback, each offering a variety of engine options, from the economical inline-six to the powerful V8s. The car's design, affordability, and performance made it an instant hit, selling over 400,000 units in its first year and surpassing a million within two years.
In 1966, the Mustang continued to evolve with minor aesthetic updates, including a new grille, side ornamentation, wheel covers, and gas cap. The car also became more customizable, with new interior and exterior options.
By 1967, the Mustang received its first significant redesign to accommodate larger V8 engines and provide a more aggressive stance. The 1967 models featured a more robust front and rear end, revised interior, and improved suspension, making it a favorite among performance enthusiasts.
Catching Mustang Fever
Season 1 · Episode 190
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 • Duration 52:29
If you’ve ever caught Mustang fever, you know it doesn’t take much. Sometimes all it takes is one good friend, one beautiful ’65 Fastback, and one road trip through Chicago to make you realize there’s suddenly an empty space in your garage that desperately needs filling.
That’s pretty much what happened to today’s guest, Ryan.
After watching his friend restore a ’65 Fastback—and then seeing that car roll through Chicago on a road trip from Kansas back home to Richmond, Virginia—Ryan was officially infected. The cure? A 1966 Mustang coupe, finished in gorgeous Vintage Burgundy, with a 289 V8 and a three-speed manual.
And here’s a connection I particularly like: Ryan found his Mustang in the San Francisco Bay Area, the same part of California where I found Jewel, my ’65 convertible.
But buying the car was only the beginning. Ryan brought the Mustang home to the Chicago suburbs, and now, through a few trials, plenty of learning, and some modifications along the way, he’s turning it into a project he can share with his kids.
Today we’re talking about catching Mustang fever, buying a classic from across the country, learning as you go, and why working on an old Mustang with your kids might be one of the best modifications you can make.
Some Mustang stories are about horsepower, some about restorations, and others, family traditions. Rick's story is about love, determination, and keeping a promise. When his aging mother shared one final wish—to ride once more in the 1965 Mustang convertible she had owned before it was sold while his father was serving in Vietnam—Rick set out on an incredible mission. Against the odds, he tracked down her original car, brought it back into the family, and later honored her memory by taking one final ride with her ashes resting on the console, alongside his sons. It's a story that spans generations and reminds us that sometimes a classic Mustang becomes much more than a car—it becomes the keeper of a family's most treasured memories. Rick has owned that special Mustang for the past eight years, and today he's here to share the remarkable journey behind it. Rick, welcome to Ford Mustang: The Early Years.
Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.
A Family Legacy to Live By
Season 1 · Episode 188
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 • Duration 31:28
Some Mustangs are bought. Some are built. And then there are the rare ones that become part of a family's story for generations.
Today's guest is Robert, the caretaker of a very special 1966 Mustang that has been in his family since it rolled off the showroom floor. Originally purchased new by his grandfather, the car found its way to Robert when his grandfather passed away, making it much more than a classic Mustang—it's a family legacy on four wheels.
Although Robert has only been the owner for a few years, he's continuing a story that began nearly 60 years ago. Today we'll talk about his grandfather, the memories tied to the car, what it's like preserving an original family Mustang, and why some cars become part of who we are.
Robert, welcome to Ford Mustang: The Early Years. We're glad you're here.
Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.
How the Cars We Love End Up Restoring Us with Jon Joriman
Season 1 · Episode 187
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 • Duration 25:02
Some people own a classic Mustang. Others build a relationship with one over a lifetime.
Today's guest has lived with the same Mustang for more than 36 years. What began as a father-and-son project at age 15 became something much bigger—a place to learn, to heal, and to stay connected to the man who first handed him a wrench. Through new floors, fresh paint, engine swaps, brake upgrades, and countless hours in the garage, this Mustang has been there for every major chapter of his life. And even after losing his father five years ago, the ritual continues—one drive, one polish, one memory at a time.
This isn't just a story about restoring a Mustang. It's about how sometimes the cars we love end up restoring us.
Let's welcome Jon to the show.
Jon Joriman's Mustang Story:
My father was a huge classic car guy. He bought and sold multiple cars, and I would help or be in the way in my preteen and teen years. I fell in love with Mustangs when I was about 15. My father purchased one as a father/son project, and I still have it 36 years later. I am now 51. I have painted it, replaced the 289 with a 6-banger, replaced the floors, new interior, and installed disc brakes in the front. I have touched every nut and bolt over the years.
The majority of the work happened at various times in my life where the garage was my therapy space - 16-18, trying to figure out life; 25-28, when I had a new family; 45-50, becoming an empty nester and dealing with his death. About 5 years ago, my father passed away, and I still go out to the garage to polish or work on it. I drive it weekly to bring back great memories. The car is part of me, and I would be happy to share my story.
I also inherited a 1957 Ford Retractable from him. He purchased it sight unseen when I was 4 - 45 years ago. It had a huge tree on the roof and trunk, which provided firewood for the winter and a starting car that was not good enough to junk, but my father had a vision, and the car has won national car shows. But that is another podcast.
Pushing the Limits of Classic Fords Without Losing Your Nerve, Danny Stucker Interview
Season 1 · Episode 186
Thursday, June 11, 2026 • Duration 54:52
Back again to the podcast, Danny Stucker has been a car guy since he was old enough to hold a wrench, and since my latest addiction of buying and restoring Fords of all shapes and sizes, Danny has been a key motivator of all of the "outside my comfort zone" repairs over the last few years. Danny, welcome back to Ford Mustang: The Early Years Podcast.
Do you own an early-year Mustang?
Yes
How long have you owned your ride?
Yes, since 2020
If you've made improvements to your classic car or restored it, what work have you done?
Complete driveline upgrades and built a performance 6 cylinder 200
What plans do you have for improvements/restoration/modification of your classic car?
Jim Foster has owned his Mustang for nearly 50 years, and in that time, the car has become far more than just transportation. Nicknamed “DABEEST,” this Mustang has survived hundreds of thousands of miles, an engine rebuild after 450,000 miles on the road, a serious accident, and a full restoration that brought it back to life in 2008.
On this episode of Ford Mustang: The Early Years Podcast, James shares the stories behind decades of ownership, the upgrades that made the biggest difference, and what it’s like staying connected to the same classic car through so many chapters of life. If you’ve ever wondered what makes someone keep a Mustang for half a century, this conversation delivers the answer.
Snapshot
Early Mustang owner for almost 50 years
Owns a Mustang named “DABEEST”
Not in the restoration or Mustang parts business
Longtime enthusiast with a deep personal history tied to the car
Major Work Completed
Rebuilt the engine after putting approximately 450,000 miles on the car
Added:
Shorty headers
Edelbrock 600 CFM carburetor
US MAG wheels/rims
The car was involved in an accident in 2006
Restoration completed, and the car returned in 2008
How have we not met until now -- and only then via coincidence. Mustangs, F-100s, and a laundry list of acquaintances in common.
Adam Pitale is the kind of guy who’s been obsessed with making things shine since he was a kid—literally starting by cleaning and polishing bikes as a pre-teen. That obsession turned into a hustle, then a business, and eventually into what we now know as Adam’s Polishes. He launched it back in 2000 in California, not from some grand plan, but because he needed to make a living—and figured there had to be a better way to keep things looking perfect.
Today, Adam’s built a global brand around that same mindset: a little obsessive, a little unconventional, and completely driven by doing things better than “good enough.” He’s the guy who’d rather wash a forklift—or Classic Ford —than let it stay dirty… and that pretty much tells you everything you need to know about how he shows up in business.
I coincidentally connected with Adam when I saw he was recently selling a classic Ford truck on Marketplace. Which I must add did finally close. Adam, welcome to the podcast.
I have at least a half dozen of your products sitting in my garage right now -- coincidence? I think not.
Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.
Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.
With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!
"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!"
Throughout its early years, the Mustang's combination of style, performance, and affordability cemented its status as a symbol of American automotive ingenuity and a cultural icon.
Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.
Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.
Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.
Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.
Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.
Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.
With 4 warehouses nationwide, you’ll get your parts fast!
"Keep it safe, keep it rollin’, and keep it on the road. Until next time!"
Doug Sandler
Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.
Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.
Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.
Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.
Got a classic Ford in SoCal? A Mustang. F-Series, or Classic Falcon or Galaxy? Survivor? Showing lots of Patina? Or a Show truck. I’m looking to put real classics on real sets — photo shoots, commercials, film, and premium productions. You keep your ride. I handle the clients, bookings, and logistics. Turn your classic Ford into a paid, on-camera icon.
Visit ClassicFordRentals.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and share your info with me— let’s get your truck or Mustang working.
An Expert’s Guide to Maintaining Your Classic Mustang
