From our late-night conversations and visits came ideas that would germinate into drivable modified Mustangs to be treasured and enjoyed. Ben Smith, retired Ford engineer and father of the stillborn Mustang Skyliner, decided to produce Mustang retractable kits for classic Mustang hardtops. In short, cut the roof off a cheap Mustang hardtop and install a retractable roadster top with chassis stiffening kit. It was a terrific idea that disturbed purists and beat excitement into the hearts of those interested in going over the top with a classic Mustang. The chassis stiffening kit would later become a popular retrofit for just about anyone wanting solid underpinnings.
From Ben Smith's retractable idea came Ron's idea for a classic Mustang roadster. Jokingly, he called it the Ronster. The name stuck and an awe-inspiring Sapphire Blue Metallic (we call it purple) Mustang chop-top was the result. When the Mustangs Plus Ronster appeared on our September 1997 cover, it inspired readers to do the same. Many ideas like the Ronster were conceived via think tank sessions among good friends interested in sharing ideas. When it was time to choose a color for the Ronster, Ron came down to Los Angeles and we walked Galpin Ford's lot searching for just the right color - a color that would look awesome under the lights. We both arrived at a 1995 color very popular at the time - Sapphire Blue Metallic Clearcoat - perfect for the Ronster.
When we became a monthly magazine in the late 1990s, it became necessary to add a feature editor. That's when Miles Cook, technical editor at Mustang Monthly, offered up his big brother, Wayne. When Wayne Cook and I shook hands nine years ago and began chewing the fat, I knew he would be a good fit for Mustang & Fords. He has been with us ever since because Wayne offers the same qualifications the rest of us have - pure passion for the breed - and time-proven knowledge (and skinned knuckles) to share.
 We celebrated the Mustang's...  We celebrated the Mustang's 30th Anniversary with a bang - Ford's all-new 1994 Mustang - plus a look back at exciting world-class Mustang fun cars. Pro shooter Randy Lorentzen did this cover and most of the vivid images inside. Inside were some of the best classic Mustang restorations in the world. |  In the early 1990s, a savvy...  In the early 1990s, a savvy Ford engineering and marketing type put his neck on the line to save the Mustang. Call it a corporate Manhattan project that would thrust him into the spotlight and save the Mustang. The project code was SN-95 and the result was the all-new 1994 Mustang. The man was John Coletti, who ultimately headed up Ford's Special Vehicle Engineering and spearheaded successful names like Lightning, Cobra, and GT. |  What if they gave a car show...  What if they gave a car show and the President showed up? At the 1994 30th Mustang Anniversary Celebration, spearheaded by the late Jim Osborn, something extraordinary happened. Having 4500 Mustangs show up wasn't all that extraordinary. But having President Bill Clinton show up in his '67 Mustang convertible was. Clinton was clearly happy to be there and thrilled to share his convertible with the masses. |