Sharon: A Tribute to My 2001 Ford Mustang V6 Coupe

From Destruction…

There are only a few who truly know Sharon—the unsung Mustang hero of my automotive adventures. She wasn’t a flashy V8 GT that turned heads with thunderous roars. No, Sharon was a humble 2001 Ford Mustang V6 coupe, manual transmission—a lil’ pony with a heart of gold.

True and Faithful

In all the years she served me, Sharon never faltered in her duty. She transported precious cargo—my family and friends—across California’s winding highways and even ventured as far as Oregon. Our relationship was one of mutual giving. I ensured she received her regular fixes and attention, like a faithful guardian watching over her charge.

But let’s be clear: Sharon was no sentient being. She lacked human life or feelings. Yet, there’s wisdom to be gleaned from her mechanical loyalty. She taught me about resilience, reliability, and the beauty of simplicity.

I remember the day she arrived in my driveway, delivered like a gift from God. Dark blue, officially labeled “true blue” by the manufacturer—indeed, she embodied that hue. A blessing from above, indeed. Over the next five years, we covered more than 82,000 miles together, exploring the Golden State’s highways and byways.

Fateful

Then came that fateful Saturday afternoon—July 29, 2006. An older man, his ’96 Ford Explorer a battering ram, collided with Sharon’s front end. Our time together was up. Remarkably, no lives were lost, no limbs injured. Bruises and scratches, yes, but nothing irreparable. The cars crumpled, and Sharon was deemed a total loss. Suddenly, I faced bus rides to work—a humbling experience indeed.

The heading on my mental timeline reads “The Death of Sharon: November 2001 – 29 July 2006.” Accepting her departure was like parting with an old friend. My boss lent me her car temporarily, but it wasn’t Sharon. It overheated, and its automatic transmission felt foreign to me. I yearned for something familiar—a worthy successor.

The hunt began. Internet searches, tips from friends, dealership visits—I scoured them all. My budget dictated used over new, and I vowed to avoid car payments. But deep down, I knew what I truly desired: a 2001 Ford Mustang GT V8. On August 22, fate led me to a Simi Valley dealer, and there she was—shining in True Blue glory. Sharon Resurrected!

…To Life

This upgraded version boasted a six-CD changer, leather seats, power lumbar support, and six speakers. And at its heart—a 4.6-liter V8 engine. Sharon’s glorified form had returned. When I received the keys, it felt like a reunion with a long-lost friend. No waiting—just the thrill of driving my good and faithful servant once more.

Of course, I couldn’t resist tweaking her. I swapped out the exhaust for 40 Series Flowmasters and added a performance chip. Online mods followed—because Sharon deserved nothing less. If you’re ever in the same modding mood, check out AmericanMuscle.com and Late Model Restoration.

So, here’s to Sharon—the lil’ pony who taught me more than horsepower figures ever could. May her memory continue to ride alongside me, engine growling, as I navigate life’s highways.

The Mods

Now I have done certain mods on Sharon R myself. As you can see, I added the Black Dual Angel Eye LED Projectors (99-04) and Clear Fog Light Set (99-04 Models) from American Muscle. These not only enhance the drivability at night, but also the looks! The “Running Pony” Custom Airbrushed Grille Emblem (1994-2004) makes an appealing addition (in my opinion of course, I get flak from my friends about having flames on my car).

The GT came with Chrome Bullitt rims, and I hated them because the chrome was dulling and peeling off in the back. I was planning to save and change them out when I came across a set of four new ones with brand new tires VEEEERRRRY cheap! I was truly blessed. They were what I wanted. The same that came stock with the 2001 Special Edition Bullitt. You can get the Anthracite Bullitt Wheel 94-04 (17×8) and others like it, as well as the Ford Racing Red Bullitt/Mach 1 Running Pony Calipers (Front Pair) and various brake rotors from AmericanMuscle to suit your personal taste. Don’t forget to buy the Bullet Lug Nuts (Set of 20) as well.

Aside from buying a K&N Filter at my local Automotive store I bolted on an Accufab 4.6L 2v 75mm Throttle Body & Plenum Combo. I’m planning to put a supercharger in. That will take some time to get, but it will happen. There will be other mods in the future.