Retro appeal and memories of a youthful cross-Canada road trip fuel Calgarian’s love for car(s) of his dreams
As a young man working a summer job digging up old cable, Ralph Hindle was introduced to the Ford Mustang. This was 1973 in the Ottawa area, and one of Hindle’s workmates was fanatical about Shelby Mustangs. The workmate owned a 1970 Boss Mustang, but would always point out a Shelby at any opportunity.
“I got to drive his Boss when he lost his driver’s licence for six months,” the Calgarian recalls. “And then, I bought a blue 1965 Mustang fastback. That car had lots of issues — the floors were rusted out, it would overheat, and it used oil.
“Every time I stopped for gas, I’d put in a quart of oil and fill the radiator. There were leaks all over the place.”
But that didn’t prevent Hindle and his high school friend Mike Grant — with whom he’s still friends — from driving the car across Canada, making it to British Columbia and back to Ontario.
Hindle, an analytical chemist, moved to Calgary in 2000 and was kept busy with motorcycles for several years. During that time, he didn’t have a hobby car. However, he’d long dreamed of owning a Porsche Carrera until his long time high school friend, Mike Grant, also now in Calgary, showed up in a brand new 2006 Mustang fastback.
“This fifth-generation Mustang (introduced in 2005) had a retro appeal and had the looks of the car we’d driven across Canada,” Hindle says.
After selling his share of a lab he’d helped open and operate, Hindle had a few extra dollars in his pocket.
“My wife said to me, ‘Buy the car of your dreams,’” he recalls.
Instead of the Porsche, Hindle was so enamoured by the fifth-generation Mustang that he began searching for a 2007 Mustang Shelby GT500. Wanting a road trip, he was looking to buy a car from a dealer far from Calgary. He found a black 2007 convertible in Hamilton, Ontario, worked out a deal and flew east to drive the car home.
Is one ever enough, though? Hindle didn’t think so, and he started looking for a ’07 Mustang Shelby GT500 coupe. “I found a blue coupe at a dealer in Las Vegas, and Mike and I flew down to pick that car up. We drove it home,” he says.
The 2007 Shelby GT500 was a product of Ford’s Special Vehicle Team and Shelby Motors. The recipe included a more powerful engine — a supercharged 5.4-litre DOHC V8 good for 500 horsepower paired with a six-speed manual transmission — in a Mustang imbued with better handling and braking capabilities.
But Hindle wanted more Shelby, and after purchasing both of his GT500s he booked his cars at Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas for the addition of special packages – the blue coupe for the 40th Anniversary package, followed by the convertible and the Super Snake package.
He drove the coupe down first and flew home, leaving the GT500 in Las Vegas while Shelby Automobiles installed the 40th Anniversary package. Six weeks later, when it was ready, Hindle drove the convertible down for its Super Snake package and returned home with the coupe. Of course, he flew back down again to retrieve the convertible when Shelby Automobiles was finished.
“After the Shelby modifications, which included many changes such as upgraded brakes, suspension and on the coupe, a Kenne Bell supercharger that was good for 725 hp, the cars started and drove the same, but they weren’t the same anymore,” Hindle says. “You don’t really know what you have until you put your foot into it. The coupe, especially, is like it’s had too much coffee and always wants to go.”
Since buying the cars, Hindle has tried to do one summer road trip per year in each. He occasionally commuted in them, too, however there are only 45,000 kilometres on the convertible and 17,000 on the coupe.
“I don’t drive them as much as I used to, and I’ve listed the convertible for sale,” he says. “The blue coupe, because it reminds me of the 1965 Mustang that Mike and I drove across Canada, is the one that interests me the most.”
Greg Williams is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Have a column tip? Contact him at 403-287-1067 or gregwilliams@shaw.ca.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
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