Rob Hall

Sad...I had a Blaupunkt stereo in my '96 BMW M3 back in the day, and a Becker head unit in my '84 Merc 500 SEL. I remember putting Sony in-dash CD players w/ removable faceplates in my '87 Mustang GT and '88 Bronco II in the mid 90s.

Yeah, the head units are integrated into the screens..I know there are some aftermarket screens/head units designed to fit certain models available, but it seems uncommon. It's been over 20 years since I put aftermarket stereos in older cars-- those were both 80s Fords.. As long as I have Apple Car Play and can stream from my phone and have good speakers, I'll be happy w/whatever factory setup my next vehicles have... really like the available McIntosh systems on some of the new Jeeps, tested a couple.

New pic of the puppies, now almost 14 weeks old. Lulu and Lola, and now Jack. The breeder called last week, they had one left from the litter that Lulu and Lola were in, a boy. So added Jack to the pack.

I only use Macs..I loathe when I have to use Windows..

My new backyard toy was delivered and installed today...pretty slick. Bluetooth stereo, a remote control, 43 jets. Plan to use it year round to relax... I think I'll enjoy this more than a pool (though I miss my pool from AZ, may get an above ground pool eventually).

Neat...there were a few aftermarket conversions from '79-82 also, I remember seeing them occasionally in the Florida Keys and Miami as a kid in the early 80s.

Through '73..the Cougar and Mustang were Ford's only convertibles for '73. The last year for the LTD convertible was '72, and the Torino bowed out after '71. Here's a sharp '73...

'71-72 Mustang is only 2 inches longer than the '69-70, but 3 inches wider...proportions are different also, hood is longer.. the 6th gen ('15-23) in comparison, is slightly shorter than the '71-72 and about an inch wider.

'83-present..

It was definitely a design of its times...I esp. like the '71-73 styling on the convertible..the long hood goes well w/ the top down, IMO. It's predecessor ('69-70) is my favorite styling of the fastback (Sportsroof) vintage Mustangs, IMO...

Once I finish my move later this month, my main summer toys will probably be my golf clubs and my new hot tub...

I miss CD players also. My current Jeep has one, but it is awkward to use since it’s inside the center armrest. I mostly stream my music from my phone now.

I can usually identify the model without looking at the badging, but years are pretty much impossible since the demise of annual styling changes 40+ years ago.

Yeah, the squares back then always had something to complain about. They still do.

Yes, a bit excessive. I’ll leave that to the dealer when I need bulbs.

Saw a few interesting red cars on I-90 today...a red Ferrari 308 coming up behind me this afternoon..it passed me, and I realized it was a Fauxrari...looked like a 3rd gen Camaro or Firebird with a 308 style body kit...faded red paint, '1MAGNUM' license plate...different, haven't seen something like that in decades. Also saw a '61 Corvette convertible w/ patina--red w/ white cove inserts, 6 round taillights, side pipes, roll bar, old slotted mags. Spotted a very clean red '65-66 Mustang coupe. Went to a retirement happy hour for a coworker the other evening, in the parking lot was my company founder's silver Ferrari 812 Superfast which he bought after selling the company last year, and the VP of Product Management's new red Corvette Z06 convertible (in that incredible red that looks like a Hot Wheels spectraflame color).

Hmmm..the .'yuppies' were in their 20s-30s in the 1980s, so are now in their 60s-70s. Maybe the Millennials or Gen-Z kids of today haven't seen old school dimmer switches, though. As a Gen Xer, I was exposed to old cars through my Dad and older brother...my '67 Cougar and '69 Mustang (both of which I inherited from my Dad) have the floor dimmer switches, manual windows, manual seats, no steering wheel adjustment, no A/C, manual transmission in the Cougar (and manual brakes and manual steering). Very basic..not something I'd drive frequently (I'm much too used to loaded modern vehicles), but fun on a weekend drive occasionally...

I remember my Dad having cars in the 70s-80s w/ bumper jacks. I've never used one, used bottle jacks a couple of times in the past though. But I've had AAA for 20+ years, wouldn't want to change a tire myself on my 5000lb Jeep w/ heavy 20 inch wheels and tires...

I did have a Haynes manual for my '00 Grand Cherokee, actually used it a few times about 15 years ago, esp. when I had to replace a broken seat frame. Haven't bought one for my more recent vehicles.

Speaking of basic work vehicles, I've got a Ford Transit high roof rental from Penske this weekend (3rd one I've rented recently), and it's pretty decent inside for a basic work van... power windows, a fob to lock/unlock the doors, etc. Power mirrors, back up camera, etc. Manual seats, but decent level of adjustment. Tilt wheel and cruise control, cold A/C, only an AM/FM radio though. But it does have several USB plugs and power ports.

You mean terrestrial radio? Don't think I've heard it referred to as celestial. I remember AM/FM radio, haven't used either in years...mostly listen to Sirius XM stations and stream stuff from my phone...

Comfortable seats...

And as far as the trailers for said trucks, I think the only trailers that haven't been reissued in the last decade or so are the moving van and race car hauler.

It will show up when it does, so I'll preorder one..

Model Roundup now showing August for this one.