STANG Magazine April 2025 Issue by STANG Magazine

Mustang enthusiasts have asked for a magazine that has no ads, no sales pitches, and no bogus “fillers” to eat up space. They have asked for a magazine that is free, easy to access, and nothing but focused on Mustang pictures and content. They have asked for a magazine produced and written by Mustang owners. They have asked for a magazine that highlights the daily drivers and the average Mustang that is driven and is not a trailer queen. They have asked for the chance to one day have their ride, their group, their club, or their cause to be recognized in print or online. It is our absolute pleasure to meet these standards and to give you STANG Magazine. We hope that both our message and our image will be seen in every Mustang community out there. Thank you Mustang fans and enjoy your ride! - Daniel Ramey, Editor-In-Chief

CAR OWNER

TOLLIVER BECKY –2007 MUSTANG GT

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

I met Daniel Ramey at a Beltway Mustang show and won my spot with STANG Magazine in their Carlisle Ford Nationals display. Needless to say I wasn’t sure what to expect being that I didn’t know the people attending and was going by myself.

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

I HAVE LOVED MUSTANGS SINCE FOREVER...

Hello. My name is Bruce Tolliver. I own a 2007 Mustang GT. I have loved Mustangs since forever and I absolutely love my “Becky.”

If you asked me if I thought I’d be writing an article for STANG Magazine for my car this time last year I would’ve said no. If you asked me if I would be writing it about a different car than the 2005 Roush Mustang I had I would’ve said hell no. I loved that car but acquiring this one reinvigorated my passion for car shows and events!

Eleven years ago it started off as a bone stock car and now after a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and a lot of money it has turned into a street-ish racecar.

It has full bolt on modifications, it is cammed, has 4.56 gears, and sports a MGW shifter and Nitrous Outlet hardline plate kit with 150 jets. It is tuned by Lito.

The best thing about a Mustang isn’t just owning it, it is being able to DRIVE it!

PHOTO CRED: BRUCE TOLLIVER

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

PHOTO CRED: ROB WALKO CHUCK DEKETT

1966 MUSTANG COUPE

CAR OWNER

TERESA POWELL

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

DAISY MAE –1966 MUSTANG COUPE

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

ALL OF THE HARD WORK MY HUSBAND AND I PUT INTO THIS CAR DEFINITELY PAID OFF!

This is my 1966 Mustang Coupe. My husband Turley Powell bought “Daisy Mae” for me in January 2021. She came with her original I-six motor and three speed transmission.

My husband rebuilt the motor and got it running again. We spent the next three years completely restoring her ourselves inside and out. My husband did all the mechanical and electrical work himself as I restored all the interior myself. Dual exhaust was done by Norman Little at Major Muffler. Primer and paint was done by Tim Littlefeild.

“Daisy Mae” is now a daily driver. All of the hard work my husband and I put into this car definitely paid off!

PHOTO CRED:

TERESA POWELL

PHOTO CRED: ROB WALKO

CAR OWNER

JOANN MILTON

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

DANDY 2 –2005 MUSTANG

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

EVEN THOUGH THE SEATS WERE WET, I TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE.

I named my 2005 Mustang “Dandy 2” with personalized plates. I bought him from a car lot on a rainy, snowy day. It was in the back lot of a dealership, neglected, and leaked through the broken back convertible window. Even though the seats were wet, I took it for a test drive. It was awesome to drive. The convertible was in bad shape when we bought it. It took almost a year to make it look good and style it like the big boys.

Whenever I drive “Dandy 2”, I get compliments from men, women, and even kids. I love the way it drives, handles, and the way it looks. I love this car because it carries itself with pride like my horse, Dandy, did. Dandy was the one to carry the American Flag in all the parades that our saddle club was involved in. Also, all the horse shows were sponsored by our horse club. He loved to show off his fancy high-stepping prance, throw his head around, showing off his flowing mane and tail.

On Saturday, July 27, 2024, we were in the Seafair Torchlight Parade in Seattle, Washington, the 75th anniversary of the biggest parade in the state. This year, we were honored to

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

carry Miss Seafair Queen. My first time in such a big parade, we’ve been in small-town parades, which are fun and exciting, but having lived around Seattle my whole life, being in the biggest parade is an honor. The day was awesome, driving my Mustang “Dandy2” and carrying the Seafair Queen.

PHOTO CRED: ROB WALKO CHUCK DEKETT

PHOTO CRED: JOANN MILTON

CAR OWNER

CLIVE BRANSON

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

LEGEND –1968 MUSTANG GT 390 BULLITT

REPLICA

LOOKING AT THE CAR, I FEEL LIKE I’M ON THE ACTUAL MOVIE

SET.

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

“It is 56 years old, and not a day goes by when I’m driving it, that someone doesn’t make a reference to what they liked about the movie,” declares Gary Eve. We gaze at his assiduously restored replica of the Mustang used in the movie Bullitt. “The car is a homage to the film, to actor Steve McQueen and, in my opinion, to the best car chase on celluloid.”

It is remarkable how a movie can sear an impression that becomes etched into a nation’s psyche, be it a character, animal or even a vehicle. Such is the case attributed to the film Bullitt, made in 1968 by Peter Yates starring Steve McQueen as Frank Bullitt, a hard-nosed police lieutenant. Our protagonist drives a modified ‘68 Ford Mustang GT 390 Fastback that, intentionally or not, became a metaphor reflecting America in the 1960s as a rugged, confident and uncompromising nation. Bud Ekins, one of the stunt-drivers, recalls the film producers choosing a Mustang specifically because “they wanted it to look like a cop’s car. This was Bullitt’s personal car and he wasn’t a rich guy, he didn’t have a real nice car. And it was Steve’s (McQueen) idea to put the big dent in the fender, to show that it got banged up and he didn’t have enough money or the time to fix it.”

The image of this Mustang resonated with audiences with its compact, muscular tone, in what has become, a celebrated 10-minute chase scene; a role that helped propel Mustang as an American icon to legendary status. Yates didn’t want a cliché of predictable accidents, instead his concept of a chase “is that it’s more exciting to see a suc-

cession of awesome near-misses than a costly series of collisions.” The rollercoaster geometry of San Francisco simply heightened the drama.

Three Mustangs and three Dodge Chargers were used in the making of the film. Of the three Mustangs, only one remains intact. Owned by the Kiernan family, somewhere in the boondocks of Tennessee, the car emerged after 40 years of hibernation in a garage to be showcased for Ford Mustang’s 50th anniversary. Sean Kiernan, the son of Roger, maintained enough of the car to be roadworthy, but refrained from interfering with the car’s originality and patina. The car had a marginal yet emotional impact on the storyline, but touched a visceral nerve with its viewers, that it remains one of the most sought after models for serious car collectors and pony car enthusiasts. In 2018, it made its circuit tour - dents, rust and warts. When unveiled, it drew the biggest crowds at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. It was distinguished and presented in a glass case for a week at the National Mall in Washington D.C., and highlighted at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, as spectators erupted in fervent displays of excitement wherever it appeared. The car was inducted into the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) roster - akin to car nirvana . It’s only the 21st car to be so honoured. As founder of HVA and CEO of the world’s largest insurer of classic cars, McKeel Hegarty’s sentiments are a testament to its allure. “It’s not often in life when you run into a Mona Lisa lost in a garage somewhere. That’s what this is. It’s a Mona Lisa car.”

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

PHOTO CRED: ROB WALKO CHUCK DEKETT

CAR OWNER

CLIVE BRANSON LEGEND –1968 MUSTANG GT 390 BULLITT REPLICA

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

On January 10, 2020, history was made at the Mecum’s Kissimmee, Florida auction with the final bid breaking all records to purchase a car at $3.7 million (Mecum wouldn’t reveal the buyer’s name). This Mustang went from fame to fortune.

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

“This is what makes this car so unique. It is its aura,” confirms Gary with an emphatic nod. I bought this Mustang in 2000 from a gentleman who had accepted it as payment for contract work. If I purchased it, he agreed to trailer it to Thunder Bay from Dryden. The owner picked my brother and I up at the airport and drove us to the hotel where we were staying. I test drove the car and bought it.” As far as Gary was concerned, the car had some aged liver spots (rust) on its hind quarters, but otherwise, it was in good shape. Gary and his brother drove the car home to Jasper, Ontario in -30 degrees Fahrenheit. “I have always been interested with the movie Bullitt,” confesses Gary. “I remember when I was young, watching this movie and realizing that the chase scene was filmed at top speed (actually, it was filmed at 60 mph. It was the angle of the cameras and the driving skills of the drivers that made it appear faster). I found that very impressive. Folks didn’t believe that McQueen did most of the driving.” Stunt driver, Loren Janes described it differently. “Most people think Steve McQueen did his own stunts in films. Steve was a hell of a driver, but he was only behind the wheel for about 10 percent of what you see on screen, mostly for the close-up shots.” No sensible studio would allow their star to perform such perilous stunts.

It took about 8 years to restore. I was helped by my wife, my brother and nephew in furnishing the car with new quarter panels, a new wheelhouse, new rockers - the works. The front of the car and floor were not touched, but the body work was done by a local body shop. That alone took 2 ½ years to complete (due to time and financial constraints).”

The other difficult part was the transition from automatic to manual. “It was tough as the top loader transmission was hard to find. Pretty well everything else is available through Mustang supplies.” This may be the only car Gary has restored, but amongst his three immaculate Mustangs, this is his favourite. “You can only imagine the time, patience and effort it took to restore a car to this condition. The ultimate pleasure is knowing that there are very few Bullitt replicas out there. It is not just a restored Mustang, but restored to represent an iconic movie car. Looking at the car, I feel like I’m on the actual movie set. This car will be handed down to my son, who already owns three Mustangs.” When Gary starts the car, the rumble slaps the wind and sounds like it wants to be unleashed. “The car drives great for an old car. It’s loud, noisy, doesn’t have A/C or power-steering, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s perfect. It’s my Bullitt car.”

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

CRED: ROB WALKO CHUCK DEKETT

PHOTO CRED: CLIVE BRANSON

When Gary purchased the car, it was red (from a previous gold) with a 390 powerplant that had replaced the original 302. Gary had it painted Highland Green similar to Bullitt’s Mustang. “After purchasing the car I started the restoration.

PHOTO

CAR OWNER

BEN DANSEREAU

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

NADYINE –2004 40TH ANNIVERSARY MUSTANG

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

I’VE ALWAYS LIKED MUSCLE CARS AND I HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF GOING TO CAR SHOWS WITH MY FATHER...

This is my 2004 40th Anniversary Competition Orange Mustang GT nicknamed Nadyine. I have had Nadyine for an amazing 18 years and it still feels like it’s only been two. I’ve always liked muscle cars and I have fond memories of going to car shows with my father seeing how excited he was.

Once I served in Iraq, I had a lot of things all come at once... divorce, finding a place to live, and adjusting back to civilian life just to name a few. So when I saw Nadyine at my local dealership that was it. A couple hours later, I drove off with her. I’m hoping to pass Nadyine down to my daughter someday so she can remember the fun times we had and knowing that I’ll always be there with her.

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

how they customize their vehicles. I’ve met amazing people, made friends like a second family, and I love the feeling like you are always welcome when you are around other Mustang owners.

I’ve done a lot of customizing over the years. I added a custom interior, added short headers, Magnflow X-pipe, and a Flowmaster cat-back system. I also installed Eibach suspension upgrades front and rear, an aluminum drive shaft, Baer brakes front and rear, custom painted stripes on the hood, wing, and license plate area, and topped her off with TSW Caldwell staggered wheels. It is definitely an awesome feeling to go to car shows and to meet other people and see

PHOTO CRED: BEN DANSEREAU

PHOTO CRED: ROB WALKO CHUCK DEKETT

CAR OWNER

GEORGINA ELLIOTT-NELSON

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

QUEENSLAND S550 –2016 MUSTANG GT

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

OUR CLUB IS CALLED THE QUEENSLAND S550 FORD MUSTANG OWNERS AUSTRALIA...

My name is Georgina Elliott-Nelson. I currently live in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Even though the Mustangs have been around for nearly nine years here now, I still get lots of thumbs up and comments about my car. Most people here love Mustangs.

My Mustang is a 2016 GT in Competition Orange and is a 6 speed manual. I have put a lot of money in it to make it a showcar and have won around 60 trophies with it to date.

There are quite a few Mustang clubs throughout Australia and I currently run one of them. Our car club is called the Queensland S550 Ford Mustang Owners Australia where we currently have over 2000 members. Most events that I organize we get around 30 to 40 cars come along and each month we do an hour to two hour run to somewhere like a restaurant or country hotel for lunch. We also have a breakfast meet once a month which we call Mustangs & Macchiato’s.

PHOTO CRED:

49ICS PHOTOGRAPHY

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

PHOTO CRED: ROB WALKO CHUCK DEKETT

CAR OWNER

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

I COMPLETELY TORE DOWN THE CAR AND MADE MANY UPGRADES.

The Red Devil (nickname) is a 1994 Mustang Cobra and has a 363 Cubic Inch stroker engine. It is modified with a Dart block, aluminum heads, and Your Miles 88 mm turbo. It is running on a Holley EFI terminator X. 3 speed automatic transmission with overdrive and has 76,000 original miles, 8.8 rear end with 31 spline axles with a full spool 3.90 gears, and Willwood brakes, and is tuned by Chris Ruggeri (EFI Calibrator and Tuner).

I purchased the Cobra from an O’Reiley’s Auto Part Manager in Tennessee. After getting the car home I entered it into a drag-n-drive event in North Carolina. The Toy Maker also participated in this event and put his autograph on the dash. After the event concluded and we arrived back home, I completely tore down the car and made many upgrades.

PHOTO CRED: DEBRA BARNEY

PHOTO CRED: ROB WALKO CHUCK DEKETT

MARTINI MUSTANG

CAR OWNER

LIAM HOUGHTON

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

SCOUT - MARTINI MUSTANG

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

NO OTHER MUSTANG HAS PARTICIPATED IN MOTORSPORT SPORTING A FULL MARTINI RACE LIVERY...

My name is Liam J Houghton and I reside in Lincoln U.K. This is my Martini Mustang.

It’s also been recognised by both Ford & Roush as a 1 of 1 due to the fact that no other Mustang has participated in motorsport sporting a full Martini Race Livery, be GT4 Spec and still road legal.

You would be surprised that here in the U.K. there is a very large Mustang following. I’m part of a U.K. wide owners group called Simply Mustangs U.K.

We have Mustangs from every year and model within the group and a small number of us including myself that actually track them and partake in official motorsport events.

PHOTO CRED: LIAM HOUGHTON TEAM

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in

CAR OWNER

SARA RUBINO

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

SHADOWKNIGHT5.0 - 2024 MUSTANG GT

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

GIRLS CAN DRIVE FAST CARS TOO!

My name is Sara. I live in Florida. This is my very first Mustang ever. I used to be really really clueless about cars. When I finally got into them, I modified my Honda Civic Sport hatchback 2024. What made me love driving a Mustang was I drove my boyfriend’s Mustang to work and I fell in love with it. He has the same one but Vapor Blue. I told myself I must get one. Haha! I have modified my car. The things I put on my Mustang include a RTR hood vent, RTR Spoiler, LVA splitter/side skirts, Flowmaster Outlaw axlel back with black tips, X-pipe, and VICREZ diffuser. I can not wait for more car parts to come out for the 2024. I love modifying it. I love enjoying putting the parts on myself or with my boyfriend. It feels good because I can say I did that!

I love the way it drives. It is very smooth surprisingly. It feels like I am driving with the road. I never was the type of person that was into cars like I am now. I want to thank my boyfriend for that. He says “he created a monster.” I love how we match cars. I enjoy being a car couple. I do enjoy going fast but not too fast. I enjoy the sound of the car. I enjoy being that rebel, sometimes being that obnoxious person with the loud car. I love photographing my Mustang and my other car. I enjoy taking photos of our cars. While editing photos of my cars, I like to try to incorporate my Associates in Science degree in Graphics Technology with four certificates. I enjoy driving my Mustang everywhere I go and taking my camera. I shoot with a Nikon ZF. My favorite things about the car is the remote rev and different driving modes. Gotta love the remote start too.

I love having a loud Mustang while I drive in Track mode. I think this car allowed me to be more social and go outside. It allowed me to love to photograph cars and pick up my camera. After my mother passed five years ago then my father ten months ago I was not sociable and I think the car has gotten me out of my comfort zone a little. It makes me happy. I never thought a car would make me happy.

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

I like the fact that sometimes I do get compliments. It’s funny when people think it’s my man’s car when it’s mine. Girls can drive fast cars too!

CRED: ROB WALKO CHUCK DEKETT

PHOTO

PHOTO CRED: SARA RUBINO

CAR OWNER

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

TWISTED NIGHTMARE –2019 MUSTANG

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

THE GOALS ARE TO BUILD AN AWARD WINNING CALENDAR CAR...

When I bought this car, my goal was to build a fully customized Mustang like no other. I have been working on it for more than a year now. I wanted it to be my project car and I am far from done. I still have a long way to go with Twisted Nightmare. I went to ask my bro if he did hydrodipping. I got the car, so let’s custom build a car. So we teamed up and the build started. We started with the outside with the demons. He said let’s color match the inside and under the hood to match paint code and do a different theme called the bad girls theme. I said let’s do it. I have to thank my group of supporters including Randy, Steveo, Haylie, Faith, Pete, and Cathy.

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

be custom painted with many more extras to go along with the build.

PHOTO CRED: LES MILLS

PHOTO CRED: ROB WALKO CHUCK DEKETT

I teamed up with Kreative Kustoms LLC where the car is being built. Me, Randy, and Steveo are the three that are the ones building this 2019 Ford Mustang. We are a quarter of the way into the Twisted Nightmare build. The goals are to build an award winning calendar car and rep the style work we do at Kreative Kustoms Hydrodipping LLC. The car will ultimately

CAR OWNER

LARA & SHANE MADDAFORD TWISTER –2020 MUSTANG

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!

The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!

IT IS NOT JUST A CAR BUT A LIFESTYLE AS WE HAVE GAINED AN EXTENDED FAMILY.

My passion for Mustangs started when watching American movies with great car chases such as Gone in 60 Seconds. It was the noise from the exhaust and the sleek lines of the body that set it apart from all other cars. I had always said that one day I will own a Mustang.

I started to increase my work to save for a Mustang so I started researching and checking car yards. There wasn’t alot around so I waited and finally found a demo that was bright orange so I bought it.

I bought this car for many reasons - work hard and get rewarded, my mental health as when you drive it you forget everything else, and to start a Facebook group to go on cruises. It is not just a car but a lifestyle as we have gained an extended family.

The car is a 2020 Twister Orange GT. It has an X pipe, Simmons wheels, MP Concepts side skirts, Magnaride suspension, PPF protection, and window louvers.

Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2022!

PHOTO CRED: LARA & SHANE MADDAFORD

PHOTO CRED: ROB WALKO CHUCK DEKETT

IN THE “HEADLIGHTS

AACA MUSEUM, HERSHEY PA

JOSUE TOUCET

One of the coolest places to visit and a hidden gem in the Hershey, Pennsylvania area is the AACA Museum. This place has a little bit of just about everything for any motor head! It has cars, motorcycles, antiques, moderns, and even a whole floor dedicat-

ed to old modes of transportation including every year, make, and model of bus! And YES, you can even climb aboard almost everything in the building, even sit inside an old completely rebuilt diner and throw yourself back in time!

This musuem is amazing, especially highlighting local motor vehicle culture and history. Who would have thought you could learn so much in just a few floors

of amazing displays. It was easy to get lost in here as every turn led you to a new room filled with amazing visual delights. I even found myself stuck in a room of antique model trains and a full train display with scaled models replicating an entire town.

If you are ever in the Hershey, PA area, you have to stop by this place and check out the AACA Museum. It is pretty amazing to say the least!

IN THE “HEADLIGHTS

PENNSYLVANIA TAIL OF THE DRAGON - DAN MEDINA

After tackling the Back of The Dragon in the West Virginia and Virginia area, we decided to try to tame our own local legend - The Pennsylvania Tail of The Dragon. Known for hellish curves and annual deaths, we had to test fate and see how our ponies ran through the infamous obstacle course.

We put the STANG Magazine herd to work and before we knew it, we were flying down the back roads and our motors were stirring up a frenzy of onlookers!

Around every turn was another challenge, curving steep to the right, then to the left, flying up over blind knolls, and even coming to abrupt stop signs seemingly in the middle of no mans land with little

to no traffic around. Once hitting up the Shamokin Dam area we had to stop at the top of the mountain and enjoy some of the local Skeeter’s BBQ with a beautiful view of the river and town below.

Even though it might not be on a map or of “legendary” status just yet, the Pennsylvania Tail of The Dragon is just as enjoyable and crazy to drive as the others in the country. We love our local stomping grounds and we love keeping it all to ourselves!

TWISTED BOMBSHELL SALUTE

THE VETERANS BROTHERHOOD –CLYDE HOCH

In Vietnam in 1969, a young tank commander was sent with two tanks and a company of Marines. They were sent out as a blocking force for a much larger operation. Hours of boredom passed. They all expected to sleep on the ground next to the tanks and eat cold C-rations, because the area was too full of enemy troops to have a fire of any kind.

To their surprise they got a call on the radio to come back in. Back into company headquarters that meant warm meals, a shower, and cold beer. Everyone was overjoyed. It was a nice bright and warm day. Marine infantry were riding on the tanks. The young tank commander had the lead tank and was sitting on the tank commander’s hatch. He remembered taking a large breath of air and it was all very hot air. Everything started to get blurry, and he thought to himself, oh, oh this is it.

The next thing he remembered was his life was like a brown blob. He started talking to himself saying you have to come back you can’t let go. He repeated this over and over for what seemed like 20 minutes. After some time, he saw a little light and it reminded him of when you drink a glass of water and look through the bottom of the glass, everything was all distorted. When he started to function, he saw mouths moving but couldn’t hear any sounds.

The young tank commander was dazed and confused. What had just happened? After some time, he realized they had hit a very large anti-tank mine. The mine was on the same side he had been sitting on. The tank had its track, and the first three road wheels blown off. It was lying in a hole about three feet deep and five feet round. He didn’t understand, he had never heard any explosion.

He was never told about traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. From that day on his life changed. He had a hard time making decisions. He had a hard time remembering things. He didn’t like being around people. He received orders for drill instructor school. He knew with his memory the way it was he would not make it through the school, or he would never be an effective leader. He opted to get out of the military.

When he came home from Vietnam, he was surprised to find everyone looked down on Vietnam Veterans. The very people they were risking their lives for. He didn’t fit in anywhere in society. He acted differently but thought it was just him. He never knew anything about traumatic brain injury and never associated the mine explosion with his actions. He was always nervous and hyper. He started drinking way too much. When he was drinking it was the only time, he felt comfortable. In Vietnam everyone helped each other. It seemed here in the states everyone was trying to stab everyone in the back. He was more comfortable in the war than in his own country.

Since he went into the Marines three days after graduation coming home was a whole new experience for him. For many years he followed the path of alcohol. There was no one to talk to. The Veterans Administration dismissed him.

A very bad marriage and a divorce came.

Life was one day after another of struggling to exist. He finally felt suicide was the only way out. He planned every detail on how he would do it. Every day he felt life was not worth the effort. The only thing that prevented him from carrying out his plans was he felt God put us here for a reason. No matter what the cost here on earth it would all be worth it someday.