This 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Was Spared From Colorado Tornadoes
By Paulo Acoba
Who knew the big man upstairs was a fan of the Blue Oval. According to KRDO 13 News earlier yesterday (June. 5,2015) a series of as many as five twisters blasted through Simla, Colorado (a town in Elbert County) damaging homes left and right but leaving some property seemingly untouched, including one 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1.
The Mach 1 Mustang belongs to Jane Richardson whose family has lived on the property for five generations. According to one of her five sons Rodney, when the tornadoes hit, he and other family members rushed home to see if their mother was alright. Members from the local tight knit community where already at the Richardson property helping out, so Rodney knew that his mother Jane was alright. Several pieces of property were damaged including a shed that covered the family’s 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1. When news crews zoomed out to showcase the extent of the damage, there in the middle of rubble and debris sat a mint Mach 1, untouched. According to Reporter Scott Harrison, the Mustang escaped unscathed, except for a few scratches.
Perhaps the good Lord above recognized the value of this iconic American Muscle car. For many Vietnam War veterans, the Ford Mustang was one of the few cars that made the trek to South East Asia to spread a bit of morale. The Lawman 429 (pictured below) was one of two Lawman’s that toured numerous U.S. bases during the Vietnam war whose sole mission was to boost soldier morale. Gene Hackman famously used a 1971 Sport Roof to star in the first “Gone in 60 seconds” movie. And even our generation’s beloved Richard Hammond, former Top Gear producer famously used a 1971 Ford Mustang all the way in Patagonia, Argentina during the last Top Gear Special earlier last year.
Top Gear: Hammond really loves his Mustang from FoM on Vimeo.