[G.T. Rags]

I was just thinking about all the cars/trucks i've had in the past 10 years or so of driving, all the hell, and bad purchases i made, and there's no doubt in my mind that my current Mustang is not only my favorite purchase i've made vehicle wise, but the smartest.

I went through a financial point in my life 5 years ago that left me in debt, car less, homeless, jobless, yada yada yada. If it wasn't for the kindness of close friends, me and my mother wouldn't have had a place to sleep for 7 months.....
to spare the details, the situation put us in a financial rut and depression for quite some time. My only vice was that once i bounced back, I was gonna buy a sn-95 convertible. Specifically a white on black saleen......

well, i bounced back and decided i wasn't gonna go get back on the horse, and I went back to my original love, GM. Big Mistake. thousands of dollars later in bullshit f-body maintnence was trading her up for the Ragtop.

So for the past 20 months i've owned her, I went PI and tossed in some 4.10's, and wound up with a faster car then the npi saleen i wanted. And she's my favorite power ranger color, green.

Basically, my car means something to me. That if I really want something, even if I'm not consiously trying to achieve it, I will get what I want in the end. Sure she's no where near the fastest, i barely consider her swift, but she's mine to do with what I please, and in the end, thats all that really matters to me.

So yea, the Ragtop to me is an Icon, and a little bit of hope. I've considered selling her a few times, even tossed her on the market for a month or so, but in the end, I could never sell my precious Savana.....

[Drick]

my favorite power ranger color!

Anyway mines either my 87 Bronco II I had or of course my Mustang.

Dont get me wrong I love full size trucks but I built that bronco from the ground up I bought it rusted out with an engine on its last leg. I rebuilt the engine and trans, Just about everything on that car I re did. By the time I was done it was painted and looked brand new again. It was blue and silver this is exactly what it looked like just with silver instead of tan


then I sold it to buy my truck and the guy I sold it to rolled it a week later. Its kind of disapointing

[Arsenal]

is that a cobra emblem?!?!

[G.T. Rags]

it is

[Mickey]

I really love my car now...here is a little spiff on it...
Keep in mind I didnt write this but was quoted a few times....my car means the world to me...

Mickey Knauss has been obsessed with cars since he can remember. He’s always been especially fond of American muscle cars, and thought he’d died and gone to heaven when he first saw his first S197 Saleen Mustang. “It was a black Extreme with the carbon fiber diffusers and had the sleekest, sexiest bodykit I had ever seen in my life,” Mickey remembers. “From that day on, I told all my friends and family I would buy one soon enough and of course they laughed.” Despite being only 18 years old at the time, Mickey surprised everyone by getting the money for a down payment and took the plunge on a used Saleen 3V. Black, of course, like the first one he had seen.



So how did his stock 3V Saleen Mustang make the transformation into Barricade from the Transformers movie? “To be honest, when I saw the Transformers movie, the thought never clicked initially to turn my car into the Barricade.” Instead, the inspiration came from his boss Ernie Sigala, owner of Hardcore Mustangs in Santee, CA. “I was leaving to go out of town over the Christmas holidays and explained that I would be leaving my car in his custody,” Mickey recalls. “He said I will have a surprise waiting for me upon my return.” That surprise included a complete Barricade graphics package including white vinyl with Saleen lettering for the doors, “To punish and enslave” lettering on the rear fender, and a Saleen and Transformers crest. The “911” badge on the rear fender has been changed to “Get the 411, Saleen.com”. Black wheels complete the Barricade look.



With his Saleen 3V now looking like Barricade, you can imagine the looks Mickey gets driving around. “Most of the people recognize the car from the movie Transformers and like to stare and point. The other people are more fun to mess with,” Mickey said. “The car definitely stops a lot of those speeders on the highway – that’s for sure.” As you might expect, his Saleen Mustang also catches the attention of local police. He’s received mix reactions, from police officers wanting to take photos with his car to receiving a $1,300 ticket. Despite having a few negative experiences, Mickey still thinks it’s worth it. “A lot of them like it and humor me asking how much for them to upgrade while others give off that dirty stare as I drive by,” he said.

In addition to the standard Saleen 3V equipment and Barricade graphics, Mickey has also fitted his Mustang with Mac Performance long tube headers and Mac offroad Pro Chamber. It's undoubtedly one of the meanest Saleen Mustangs we've ever heard. Additional mods include a McLeod Stage III clutch with aluminum flywheel, Hurst short throw shifter, C&L cold air intake system, and carbon fiber "Extreme" quarter window panels.



While Mickey’s Saleen Mustang has the looks he wants, he still has many more modifications he wants to do. “If only money grew on trees,” he jokes. “I have so many plans for this car it would take two to three pages for me to list the mods.” For starters he wants to install Saleen’s Series VI supercharger along with a built and stroked 298ci shortblock. Other mods on the wish list include Saleen’s carbon fiber front and rear diffusers, BBR Stage II cams, and Livernois Stage III heads. As you can see, he is planning on making some serious power.

Like with any car, Mickey’s Saleen 3V couldn’t be where it’s at without help. He wanted to thank his parents for helping him get approved for financing, as well as Ernie Sigala, Lizeth Gonzales, and Hector Conde at Hardcore Mustangs. Finally, thanks go out to his siblings and friends for all of their support. “It has been an unbelievable 14 months of ownership.”

[G.T. Rags]

sweet guys, and um mickey, what was the 1,300 dollar ticket for?

[Mickey]

"Impersonation of a law enforcement vehicle"

Got ALL the money back though

[Rico-mofos]

I regret selling this numbers matching 76 stingray!

[G.T. Rags]

Originally Posted by Mickey "Impersonation of a law enforcement vehicle" Got ALL the money back though

i thought so

musta been a prick or dumb cop to do that, cause it's obvious that would never stick. otherwise people in securtiy vehicles, and used auctioned of cruisers would be fucked

as long as it don't say "police" or have red and blue flashing lights ur gold

[Drick]

Originally Posted by Arsenal is that a cobra emblem?!?!

Yes lol that wasnt mine I found that on google. thats what mine looked like tho haha

[MustanG_guy17]

My mustang: because of its background. and the way it looks.

[MSO]

[k2boarder3187]

I loved my supercharged 96 Mustang GT but im really into my car now

[Arsenal]

[Luis_GT]

No favorite car yet, but my best car had to be my 1997 Toyota Avalon... It's saddens me that it was hit and I could't find a replacement door anywhere... things just won't die and end up in junkyards...

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by 96GTRagTop i thought so musta been a prick or dumb cop to do that, cause it's obvious that would never stick. otherwise people in securtiy vehicles, and used auctioned of cruisers would be fucked as long as it don't say "police" or have red and blue flashing lights ur gold

ya man the cop was a HUGE douchebag...almost broke my window when he was pounding on it for me to roll it down...

[G.T. Rags]

sometimes i wish i was a cop, but with jurisdiction everywhere.

I'd drive around like a dick on purpose trying to get pulled over, and then as soon as the super trooper started pulling his shit like that, CUFFS

damn, I guess that would make me like.... Chuck Norris

[MustangMatt96GT]

I have not had the truck very long, but i bet it will become my favorite...

The mustang has lots of meaning to me, but it is not a street car, so its kinda different.


The expediion has done great for what ever the family has needed it for to...

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by MustangMatt96GT I have not had the truck very long, but i bet it will become my favorite... The mustang has lots of meaning to me, but it is not a street car, so its kinda different. The expediion has done great for what ever the family has needed it for to...

No offense man but why would you make a high 12 second mustang a track-only car...

[MustangMatt96GT]

altitude is the fist reason... its a low-mid 11 car at sealevel... It has plates on it and can be driven, but i just dont because of the driver profiling about my police aorund my area. Especally at school....


NOt to mention it will do 11.50s next season at this altitude... will have plates and insuracne and can be driven, just is not my daily driver...