CAR OWNER RICH DIMARINO

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

CALI - 1968 MUSTANG CALIFORNIA SPECIAL

GROWING UP I ALWAYS HOPED I WOULD OWN A MUSTANG...

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

Mustangs have been my favorite car since I had a Tootsie Toy metal Mustang as a kid in the late 60s. Growing up I always hoped I would own a Mustang someday. Today I am lucky enough to own two. This 1968 Mustang GT/CS California Special and a 1996 Mustang GT Convertible with 45,000 miles on it. I’m the original owner of my 96. Mustang Fever runs throughout my family. Aunts, uncles, and nephews have owned them over the years. My son and daughters are hoping to have one of their own one day as well. So far, they have only had a Power Wheel version. We recently added a new addition to our family, a 14-week-old puppy. Her name is Shelby.

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!

This is my second GT/CS. My first one looked exactly the same but was a 3-speed manual, with a 302 engine, dealer installed a/c, manual steering and manual brakes. I sold that car and purchased this car off of eBay in 2007. This car is a 289 automatic with power steering and power brakes.

I am the sixth owner of this car and have been in contact with all but the original owner. The original owner parked the car for many years in her backyard and eventually donated it to her church. The car at one point was involved in a divorce proceeding. The future ex-wife of the owner at the time wanted the car. To make sure she wouldn’t get the car, he quietly sold it back to the person he purchased it from.

I enjoy driving this car and don’t trailer it. I have taken a number of 3-to-5-hour road trips over the years to attend shows such as the Adirondack Nationals in Lake George, NY and Ford Carlisle. You don’t see many California Specials in the Northeastern U.S. so people are always curious to hear its history. I enjoy telling the history of these limited-edition cars. Some of my favorite conversations take place at gas stations while I’m refueling.

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!

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