She entered this world on September 17th, 1964, and from the very beginning she was different. She was kept secret, with hopes of surprising the world, and not be revealed for at least four months. But that was not her style, and she could not be held back. The world came to know about her in less than one month after her delivery. At first glance it was easy to see she was not like any of her relatives. With a style all her own, there were things innately embedded in her soul.
But that was a long time ago. When I first saw her she was eighteen. Her skin was coarse and showed signs of abuse, her posture slumped, looking defeated and tired from the neglect and poor treatment. However, I saw in her a fight and will to survive; I saw the potential in her and knew that I had to help her.
It was also painfully clear that after years of being ignored and abused, recovery would take time and patience. I had to go slow and take it easy to pull her up and help her to once again find joy in life.
And so, I brought her home, gave her shelter and offered her my love and compassion, the things she never received before. I would dedicate my time and make her feel wanted, needed, and use all my energy to help her reach the potential I saws within.
As she rested, I created a set of goals for myself that I felt she would respond best too. I slipped out and picked up some things I thought she would appreciate. When I returned home I went straight to work. I began with her heart disassembling it piece by piece, discarding the worn and damaged portions.
While I waited on the replacements, and machine work, along with other requirements to arrive, I began working to get her back in shape.
I felt that even though she had never suffered and accident, her skin was scraped and rough. I began removing layers of paint, with a chemical stripper and found evidence of three-color changes, to the current burgundy she now displayed even though she was faded and sun-bleached. It took time to remove the excess paint, so I could bring her back. After scoring her metal. I began using a lead supplement, to fill the few imperfections, and small dings in her skin, and sanded her body down with a 200-grit paper.
After the application of a red primer, I went over her with a 600 grit paper then wiped her down. I applied a thin coat of fiberglass epoxy feather-fill over her. This step required more sanding to smooth out her skin and prepare her for receiving her new finish. A coat of black paint was applied to reveal any remaining blemishes. Then she was re-sanded with 600. Now she was ready to receive her new finish.
The doors, trunk, white metal, and hood were removed and painted separately, with 6 coats of lacquer. The body itself, I shot with the same number of coats. Then she was reassembled and the whole body wet sanded with 1000 grit. It was time for the final coats. Four new coats of paint were applied followed by 3 coats of clear. After being wet sanded again with 1500 grit paper, she was buffed with a polishing compound and polished with liquid ebony, to bring her true sheen.
New parts arrived along with the block and heads from the machine shop. The polished crank and the bearings were hand fitted. The block was bored 40-thousandths over, to accommodate larger butterfly pistons. I installed the new multi-ground valves, and a 283 high performance cam. The cast iron intake was replaced with a new Edelbrock high-rise aluminum one; ported and polished, it seated well against the newly machined heads. A larger oil pump with a new filter and pick up, replaced the original one, and would provide a smoother flow and better lubrication. I acquired a new Holly four-barrel 650cfm and custom fitted the jets just for her.
A dual point distributor now sits where the original one resided. A fresh coat of high-temp black paint was given to it and aluminum Cobra valve covers covered the valves beneath. A new chrome air cleaner with larger air filter covered her carburetor, with the 289-identification badge prominently placed.
I also installed a new C4 Dual range Automatic transmission with a locking torque converter, new universal joints and drive shaft.
When the painting was completed, I installed new bumpers and lights. The original style GT stripes were installed, with Ceramic GT emblems, as well as factory-style pinstripes along the leading edges of the fenders and rear quarters. Reconditioned wire wheel covers, and refurbished GT light bar finished off the outside.
The interior arrived just in time. With a white head liner, and red interior panels, the red nauga-hyde interior really brought out her beauty. New instrument bezels and glove box doors along with a re-chromed Factory Air conditioning faceplate, seat hinges and rear seat fold down chrome, went well with the new arm rest and window cranks. With the new window and door rubbers and re-polished bright work, she was ready to be presented again.
When I rested I looked at her with her new transformation, and her aura seemed to penetrate deep inside me and I would be forever entranced and unable to escape her spell.
When I first met her, it was sadly evident that life had treated her harshly. But now, she had the ability to reach the soul of everyone she came into contact with. I spent hours with her, giving her my time, and she taught me patience. I learned from her that virtue and passion only came from commitment and hard work. Nothing about her was easy; perhaps that’s what attracted me most to her. In time I came to understand her moods and actions; helping me to be a better companion and offer her the things she needed. But what she gave to me was more than I ever expected. She taught me value, integrity, pride and love; a love that would be forever instilled within me.
It was time for her first dance. On the way to the ball, we paused at a traffic light and waited for it to change. Then it happened, he slipped up from behind and pulled up next to us brandishing his silver bow-tie. I tried to ignore him, this night was for her and I did not intend on allowing anyone to take that away from her. He revved up his engine and I could smell the nauseous odor of nitrous oxide and ethanol. Suddenly, her whole demeanor changed. Her breath became heavy and hard. Her heart began beating slower and it’s as if my plans became secondary to her wants. As I gripped the wheel I could feel the change come over her. Her tires clenching the blacktop and her eyes focused on the light in front of us.
The light changed; the engine of this suitor beside us roared as his tires began to lose traction. His car began sliding towards her rear quarter panel and threatening to bruise her. But she was not going to ever allow that to happen again, and she exploded into action. My head was snapped back from the sudden release of power; it was all I could do to hold on as she took control. Her rage permeated through her body and traveled right through me. I could feel her heart take over and I was nothing but a passenger as she left him far behind us. It was then that she revealed that although it was the name of a black Stallion, she preferred the name Pegasus.
When we arrived at the dance, she stole the hearts of everyone. Beautiful to behold, she received high praise and accolades from admirers. A joy to own and drive, I get great satisfaction in feeling her heartbeat as we traverse the roads together. Occasionally she has to sow some of her wild oats, but never excessively and I must say, in any situation, she always remains a lady.
SA Lawrence Author 