The Knock'em Down, Drag'em Out Modern 1960s Muscle Car

A few minutes into my relaxing ferry ride from the mainland to a west-coast island, the following announcement blared out over

"Wow, I thought it would be way more," commented an admirer of the 2005 Ford Mustang GT I was driving when I told him the starting price. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

the ship's P.A. system: "Would the owner of the new, green Ford Mustang GT please return to the upper car-deck and reset your alarm." Frankly I wasn't even aware that I had set the alarm, but with head hung in shame I slunk my way to the upper car-deck and there was greeted by a car-enthusiast deck attendant and several annoyed passengers. After I returned an atmosphere of civility to the car deck, the attendant engaged me in a conversation about how "cool" the new

Regardless of age or generation, the new Mustang has mass appeal. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Mustang looks. He summarized his comments with, "it must be really expensive." Not so bad I said, quoting the GT's starting price. "Wow, I thought it would be way more," was the animated reply. I probably would have remained mute about my alarm indiscretion, had the young attendant not been the second individual to lustily ogle the GT and strike up a conversation. While in line, prior to loading, a middle-aged gent knocked on my window and waxed on about his 1966 Mustang and how the new version is so reminiscent of the ponies of yore.