My 66 Mustang

I was living on Greville Street. It was April 2021, and I’d decided I wanted to buy a Mustang, my dream car.

I figured I had a good job, earned decent cash, and had spent my whole life working. I didn’t want a mortgage, I liked where I was renting, and I thought, why not have something I’ve always wanted?

So I started seriously looking.

For about two months I searched, but I didn’t want to spend more than $26,000. Everyone I spoke to kept saying the same thing: “No way you’ll find one in good condition for that price.” A woman at work even said her husband was a mechanic and told me flat-out, it’s impossible.

Eventually, I decided to stop searching so hard. I got up from my laptop, walked over to the kitchen bench, looked up at the ceiling and said:

“God, it’s Chris. I’m sick of trying to find a car. I’ve got 26 grand, and I don’t want to spend more. I’ll leave it in your hands. Thank you.”

Then I let it go.

A week or two later, I was working away on my laptop, chatting to a colleague. He asked how the car hunting was going. “Not bad, but nothing I really love in my price range,” I said.

He told me he’d just seen a Mustang on Facebook Marketplace that looked great, right in my price range. He knew I didn’t have social media, so he offered to send the link.

The car was listed at $26,000.

I was surprised but not shocked. This wasn’t the first time I’d asked for the seemingly impossible and received it.

I texted my friend C:

“Bro, can you message this guy and let him know I’m a serious buyer?”

He did. The seller gave his number. I called straight away.

“G’day mate, I’m really interested in the Mustang you’ve listed, what’s the go?”

He was a laid-back, easy-going guy.

He told me he’d dropped the price a few times and had just brought it down to $26,000.

I told him I’d be there the next morning. “I’m a serious buyer, I won’t waste your time.”

“No worries,” he said.

—

My mate C and I jumped in my work car and drove the four-and-a-half hours from Prahran to Lakes Entrance.

It was a perfect April day.

Sun shining.

Warm.

As we pulled up, the car was sitting out the front.

My mate turned to me and said, “Bro, that’s your car.”

“Yep,” I smiled, “it sure is.”

We jumped out and took a look, it was beautiful. Love at first sight.

I knocked on the door.

The owner came out.

“Looks great. Mind if I take it for a spin?”

“Sure,” he said.

“You want me to leave my wallet or phone?”

“Nah, all good, take it.”

I took it for a short drive with C.

He looked over and said, “This is fucking awesome.”

We got back and I said, “Alright mate, I’ll take it.”

I transferred $20,000 on the spot.

Just as I finished the transfer, his wife walked in with the groceries.

She looked at the scene and said, “What’s going on here?”

“I’ve sold the car,” he replied.

“What?! I thought we agreed you wouldn’t! I love that car!”

“Well, it’s done now. He’s already paid.”

She turned to me and said, “You just got a really good deal.”

I smiled and said, “I know. It’s coming to a good home.”

We chatted for a while, then I went to send the final $6,000 — but hit my bank’s daily limit.

“Mate, I can’t send the rest today, can I do it tomorrow?”

He hesitated. “How do I know you’ll pay?”

“Because I’m a man of my word. I’ve been upfront and honest with you from the start.”

He paused… then said, “Alright, no worries.”

—

I jumped in my new old car and began the drive home.

No plates. One-day permit.

My mate followed in my work car.

I’ll never forget that drive.

When I got back to Melbourne, I went straight to my parents’ place.

“Guess what I bought?”

They were stunned.

“For fuck’s sake Chris — where are we supposed to park this thing? We’ve got no room!”

“I dunno,” I said, half-laughing. “I didn’t think that far ahead.”

They weren’t too happy.

They never really were with their eldest son.

I said, “How about I park it at Yiayia’s?”

“Could you maybe have asked her first?”

“She’ll be right.”

I drove it over and parked it in her garage.

She was fine.

I smiled and said, “Look Yiayia, no burnouts. And no driving it either, alright?”

She laughed.

—

Over the next few weeks, I took it to a mechanic to get it roadworthy. He gave me a list of things that needed fixing, around $3,000 worth.

But when I came to collect it, he only charged me $1,000.

I was shocked.

As I was leaving, he added:

“Mate, I’ve got no idea how you drove this thing all the way from Lakes Entrance in one piece. The drum brakes were completely shot. I had to replace all four hoses. Honestly, it’s a miracle you made it back.”

I smiled.

Little did he know…

Someone upstairs was looking after me, from the moment I asked.