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Baum's '78 Mach 1 Now In Third 'Reincarnation'
Story by Steve McMullan
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Gary Baum's 1978 Mustang II Mach 1 started out as a family car - getting him to and from work, hauling children from place to place, and providing transport for those long-awaited summer vacations.
But after three years of "hazardous duty," the Aqua Glow Mustang was relegated to the role of the "second family car," being used more for pleasure that for work." Then, a year later, Gary decided his Mustang had a future as a show horse.
"I bought a Mustang Mach 1 new in 1974, but I had to sell it shortly after I got married. From the time I parted with it, I wanted to own another Mustang II."
Finally, in August of 1980, Gary (MCA - 21506) spied the '78 Aqua Glow Mach 1 on the used car lot at Nolt's AMC in his hometown of Leola, PA.
"It seemed like a natural. My wife, Darlene, and I were expecting our second child, the Ranchero wasn't big enough for four people, and the Mach 1 was a T-top - which was a good compromise since I have a liking for convertibles," Gary says.
So, with 20,000 miles showing on the odometer, the Mustang II began its three year stint as the Baum's family car.
It was in 1984 that Gary decided he would put some effort into restoring the Mustang with the idea of using it as a show car.
"We had already repainted it with a new coat of Aqua Glow and clear coat to seal it against the weather, and it stayed in the garage for a year after that. Little by little, during the summer of each year, I would do a little to improve the car. I added NOS trim and detailed the engine compartment and undercarriage."
He had already begun showing the Mach 1 and the more work Gary did on the Pony, the better it did in Mustang shows.
"I kept working on it, kept taking in a few more car shows each year, and slowly but surely the first place trophies started coming a little more regularly."
Motivated by the imporvement his Pony kept making at local and regional shows, he took the plunge and entered the MCA Grand National in Pocono in 1990.
"That's still the highlight of my Mustanging career," Gary smiles. "I won a first place in the Concours Driven Class. I can't tell you how proud I am of that trophy."
Gary says he thoroughly enjoys showing the car but especially likes "meeting people at the shows. Especially Mustang II owners.
"I'm seeing more and more Mustang IIs and late models at shows as time goes on." Gary says his Mustang stable continues to grow.
"Our drivers are Mustang II fastbacks and I have a King Cobra and a Cobra II I've bought for future restorations."
In his spare time, Gary deals in Mustang II parts and stays busy "trying to acquire all the information and knowledge about Mustang IIs I can, both to help me in restoring them and to help me when I judge at shows."
Baum's '78 Mach 1 has a T-roof, aluminum slots, console, four-way seat, AM-FM cassette, tinted glass, and a 2.8 liter V6 engine. He rides on original-type Firestone 721 tires. The deluxe interior is Light Aqua.
"My wife says I'm a Mustang nut, but who cares, it's fun! With my son Troy being 15 now, it won't be long before he catches Mustang fever. Our younger son, Clint, is only 12, so it will be a while before he can get behind the wheel of his own Pony."
But at the rate Gary's collecting Mustangs for his garage, he'll have plenty to go around when the time comes.
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