Chris Jones of Southern California encountered terrible misfortune with his mother's original owner '67 Mustang hardtop on a rain-slicked Los Angeles freeway a couple of years ago.  The Vintage Mustang Forum and Super Dave Stribling are coming to his rescue with a village attitude.

As Mustang enthusiasts, quite a few of us can understand the sentimental value of a family "owned since new" classic Mustang.  When you've owned a Mustang that long, it has taken on a life of its own because it has become a member of the family - like a favorite pet.  And when there's a profound loss due to an accident or theft, it takes on enormous emotional proportions.

You can imagine the bewilderment Chris Jones felt when his '67 Mustang hardtop spun out on a rain-soaked Southern California freeway a few years ago, hitting the center divider, smashing both front and rear, totaling his car in the process.  When the Vintage Mustang Forum got this news, VMF member and MCA board member Laurie Slawson of Southern Arizona brought it to our attention here at Mustang Monthly.

Needless to say, we were also heartbroken because, as enthusiasts, we understood Chris' dilemma.  We felt compelled to help.  In the eyes of most collision shops and insurance companies, Chris' hardtop was a total loss.  We couldn't find a Southern California shop interested in helping us because labor was just too time consuming to even think of doing it free of charge. 

It was Dave Stribling of DVS Restorations 2,000 miles away in Indiana who extended his hand to help Chris, and completely on his own time.  When Dave stepped up, others did also with parts and services.  We've chosen to step up with an fresh AOD transmission, 9-inch rear end, driveshaft, and a 5.0L engine when the car is completed and ready to come home to Los Angeles.

Dave's generous gesture cannot even be measured because, by the time Chris' Mustang is straightened out and welded back together, Dave will have hundreds of hours in its salvation.  To say "thank you, Dave" could never say enough, but we will say it now - thank you, Dave. 

Chris' mom bought this Mustang new in 1968 as a leftover '67 model.  She had been both a nun and a teacher and learned neither was what she wanted for her life.  Sound familiar?  She decided on a different path and took it.  Like those inspiring Mustang commercials of the era, Chris' mom busted out in style with the coolest car she could think of at the time.  In time, Chris' dad wound up with the car and enjoyed it for quite a few years when Chris' mom moved on to newer transportation.  The car was ultimately passed along to Chris who was having a wonderful time with the car until that fateful night on the LA superslab.

What makes the Vintage Mustang Forum extraordinary is a powerful sense of community.  Call it a cyberspace small town with fingers reaching far ends of the globe.  And had Laurie not tipped us about Chris' misfortune, we might never have known.  We're going to be watching Dave's efforts from Florida and California and will keep you posted on this village concept project.

If you have any thoughts or questions about this project, please email us at jim.smart@sorc.com or www.mustangmonthly.com.