CAR OWNER

JOHN CARLSON ELVIRA - 2008 MUSTANG

CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO

WHEN LIFE GETS TOUGH, I KNOW I CAN DRIVE ELVIRA...

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

I have loved Mustangs since I was in high school in the 1980s. During high school, my first Mustang was a 1979 Mustang GHIA, which made me the coolest kid in the school parking lot. I also met my wife in high school, which I am obligated to say was the best part of school. I have owned a total of 5 Mustangs over the years. In 2008, I bought a base V6 automatic, with only 5 miles on it (which were my test drive miles) and I named her Elvira.

I realized the new S197 had a whole aftermarket industry of modifications to acquire and I started with a BBK cold air intake that came in chrome with a blue filter. I have themed all the mods in the engine and throughout with chrome and blue accents. I have added quite A LOT of modifications over the 15 years since I first bought my 2008.

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!

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.

I have lost both my parents and my wife suffered a stroke in 2018 and has medical issues from it. When life gets tough, I know I can drive Elvira to the car wash or the grocery store and get a boost from people stopping and asking about her. She is like a mini traveling car show. I enjoy doing small town car shows and talking muscle cars with other enthusiasts. It is a chance to step back from regular life and feel like that high school kid again.

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 have taken Elvira to numerous car shows and have won trophies and awards. I store Elvira every winter, and after 15 years, only have 18,000 miles on it.