What This Feels Like (With Bonus Short Driving Video)

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5) 10/14/2015 at 17:49 • Filed to: None

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Look, I’m not going to tell you a Fox Mustang is the greatest car of all time to drive. It isn’t, and this one is no exception. It doesn’t feel spectacular, but it does feel special.

My first car was a 1989 Dodge Shadow ES, but before I even took driver’s ed I had sold it and bought an ‘88 Mustang GT. I remember how proud I felt when in said driver’s ed class, the teacher said “your first car should be something with a small engine, four doors, and an automatic...not like a...5.0 Mustang with a 5 speed” and my friend turned around to look at me and grinned.

So to me, this car feels a bit like youth. Back when I didn’t care about leather interior, GPS, or even power windows. All that mattered then was that when I got into the car, I had a great time driving it.

Honestly, it reminds me of the reasons I love cars to begin with. It’s still a bit of a mess outside (the body is kinda thrown together, none of the panels line up, it has some rust and it needs paint), but I can’t stop looking at it when I walk away. It sounds like literally every other Mustang ever built, but that doesn’t make that sound any less great. The interior is basically just two seats and a giant chrome shift lever, with no radio, but I’m not driving this car to get somewhere anyway...I’m driving it to drive, which is something I haven’t done in a while.

Right now I’m 31, my wife is 7 months pregnant, I’ve got a house and a job that I like. I don’t need a ridiculous, frustrating project and I don’t need a perfect 10 show car...one would never get finished, the other would never get driven. So this car, right now, is the perfect thing to have in my garage.

Anyway, here’s a short video my dad shot when I was taking him for a ride around the block in it about an hour ago.

Nick > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 10/14/2015 at 17:55

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my first car was a 94 shadow!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Nick 10/14/2015 at 18:04

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They were pretty decent cars for the time. Mine was a 2.5 turbo with an automatic...it might have been quicker than the Mustang...

Nick > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 10/14/2015 at 18:14

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ha, mine was slower than dirt. 2.0 (maybe? it’s been a while) with an auto. the powersteering pump broke, so i just took the belt off. heavy car when there’s no PS.

i wrecked it and replaced body pannel with junkyard ones, so it ended up being green, blue, yellow, and red. i had a vinyl graphic put across the top of the windshield that said “Clown Car” and rocked it throughout highschool.

T5Killer > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 10/14/2015 at 18:29

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Awesome your reasons are why I love my ‘95 Cobra and I will never get rid of her, Driving something imperfect, bringing you back to year teen years and just plain fun. Granted I have the Leather interior and power windows.

yitznewton > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 10/14/2015 at 18:40

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I would love me a late-Fox red LX notch. Between 80s powertrain tech and the handline, I doubt I’ll actually do it, but it is indeed special!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > T5Killer 10/14/2015 at 18:42

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Exactly. I wouldn’t have thrown the car out of the garage for having leather and power windows, that’s for sure, but I don’t need them.

Every car doesn’t need to be a perfect blend of performance and luxury and economy. Sometimes you just need a fast, shouty thing that makes you feel good.

Future next gen S2000 owner > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 10/14/2015 at 18:47

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Well said. I have an 04. There are many like it but this one it mine. Everyone has that one car that transports them back in time. The memories only get better with time.

Edit: Props to pops for horizontal filming.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > yitznewton 10/14/2015 at 20:44

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Before I bought this one, I was lusting after a red ‘88 notch. I had no idea I wanted a 4-eye until I read the ad for this one and started looking at them...then I couldn’t imagine buying anything but a 4-eye notch.

It's funny, I've become such an old man by 31. New music sucks, new cars suck, nothing is as good as it was when I was a kid damn it!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Future next gen S2000 owner 10/14/2015 at 20:45

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I've taught him pretty well on the horizontal recording. I didn't know he was still recording when I started talking...I sound like I'm 14.