In February 1964,while reading Time Magazine in my office, I saw a story by Lee Iacoca, then with Ford, describing a new Ford named Mustang,” says collector car owner, Icidro Rincon. “There was a picture of a white small car that was to be a great debut for Ford & Company.”

Icidro says that the car looked “strikingly beautiful” in print. “It was a good picture of it,” he says.  He read the article and was left feeling as though the Mustang was going to be a promising vehicle—a big hit for Ford. He adds that while he had always been a “Ford guy,” he really loved how this particular car looked.

He said to himself: “Yea. I want this car.”

“I called a Ford dealer in Alameda, California and ordered a white Ford Mustang hardtop coupe,” he says.

Icidro goes on to explain that the dealership didn’t have any Mustangs, yet, and would need to place an order for one. That order was completed when he made a $200 down payment, in February. A little while down the road, in June 1964, the car finally arrived at Morris Landy Ford.

“When I first saw it in the showroom and they gave me the keys, I was stunned,” he says. “It was more beautiful than I expected. I was just stunned. I gave them the check and was told I could drive it home. I was overwhelmed with its looks and how it drove.”

“For months, I had folks stop me and ask, ‘What the heck are you driving there?’ I replied, ‘My new white pony-- that's what.’”

And today, Icidro is still turning heads with that same Mustang. Only, a few things have changed over the last 44 ½ years.

He says that throughout the years, he had driven the car a little, here and there. Plus, the Mustang was always loved and cared for with regular washing, polishing, oil changes and the such. But, Icidro says that the idea of restoring the car was always in the back of his head.

In 2006, Icidro and his “favorite nephew,” Joe Shafter, talked about taking on the project. He says that it didn’t hurt that his nephew is a mechanic and was in between jobs at that time.

“When Joe was a little kid, he grew up in that car. I would take him on camping and fishing trips,” says Icidro. “He was quite fond of the car as a teenager and was always asking if he could have it. He wanted the car.”

With that said, Joe encouraged his uncle to move forward with restoring the vehicle. Joe had the time, tools and equipment, and Icidro had the necessary funds to restore the Mustang. Both men had the passion and drive needed to complete the project.

By the Spring of 2008, the car was ready to get back on the road.

“And, it’s totally restored: new 302 V8, 4-speed AOD, new power steering and power drum brakes, new paint, Dual Flowmaster mufflers…,” says Icidro.

“I drive it only on some weekends, to tour the Napa wine country near my home. I love that sound of the throaty Flowmasters, music to my ears, as I accelerate that throbbing powerful roller V8 on my drives.”

“Some young folks still ask me, ‘Hey, old timer, what are you driving there?’ Same answer: ‘My new white pony-- that's what.’”

Icidro goes on to say that some do not believe that he drove the Mustang out of the show room back in '64.

“But, then I flash my laminated window sticker, with the $2,600 suggested price, which I paid,” he says. “Also, I like to show off my Chevron gas receipts for 17.9 cents per gallon back then.”

He says that this car has taken him across the United States, Mexico, Guatemala and back to California.

“And, my pony is on standby to take me on these trips all over again,” says Icidro.

“I am 77 years young now. But, I stay young, because I enjoy to work and drive my white pony. I plan to drive my Mustang when I reach 100.”

Story by: Icidro Rincon; edited by Becky McLaughlin