Chance, the wizard who wields a torque wrench as his baton, has performed magic on yet another of my vehicles.
This time, the subject was my 2005 Mustang convertible, whose top had ceased to function years back, pausing in mid-cycle during one attempt to close it. I’d been able to return the top to its down position by a combination of the power mechanism and brute force, and since had been using the car as a roadster of sorts – a permanent open-air vehicle.
Oh, I’d tried to address the problem over the intervening time by looking for professional help. Inquiries to area Ford dealers – I repeat, Ford dealers – had elicited the same response, that they didn’t do such work. I asked what this meant for people who bought a new convertible whose top malfunctioned, say, during the warranty period?
Silence.
Attempts to find small shops, perhaps restoration specialists doing such jobs, were futile.
Then, Chance was recommended to me by a fellow auto enthusiast and Chance proved his mettle by curing the ills of my 1984 Corvette that others had not deigned to address.
Earlier this year, I’d gifted Chance with the opportunity to contemplate woes on my 2004 Mustang GT, which included the need for a new intake manifold, and a massive leak of gasoline from the injectors onto said manifold.
Chance succeeded, with his typical absurdly low charge. It was then that I asked if he wanted to take a crack at the balky convertible top. He did.
Let’s not sugarcoat this, that convertible Mustang was at Chance’s garage almost long enough to establish the right to vote from that address – certainly longer than most Democrat illegal immigrant voters would need to qualify for such.
We’re talking months. Chance, you see, is a rare combination of value and competence. That means he’s very busy. Matter of fact, as I picked up the Mustang convertible, I noted to Chance he wasn’t charging nearly enough. Others, he said, have broached the topic with him, too, and he might be adjusting rates upward.
Regardless, I gave him a small cash bonus, beyond the amount on the bill, as a token of my esteem.
At the risk of boring you with the details, Chance had to remove lots of interior trim in the rear of the Mustang, remove the convertible top from the frame, remove the frame from the vehicle, and then discover and fix the problem before putting the car back together.
I was told a new frame might cost in the $3,000 neighborhood. But Chance, whose business is aptly enough Thomasdale Machine, was able to manufacture some metal parts, straighten others, and get that top functioning again.
While I had the car there, I had him do a state-required safety inspection, an oil change, work on malfunctioning gauges, and do some automatic transmission service.
The astoundingly low bill was only about $700 more than I customarily have been paying for the inspection and oil change.
During visits to check on the progress of the Mustang, I’d often used my quirky 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee as transportation to and from the garage.
It came up in our conversations that this vehicle also has problems, including rust. Chance crawled underneath for a firsthand look and, surprise, he can fix that too with his welder and replacement rocker panels.
So, it was arranged I’d drive the Jeep out to pick up the Mustang convertible and leave it there for its surgery.
I’m sure the Jeep is in good hands during its sojourn on the far side of Thomas Mills. It’s red, so wave if you happen to pass by along the Somerset Pike.
As for the Mustang convertible, I can’t wait for some nice weather to re-introduce it to my cruising collection.
Thanks, Chance, for daring to go where others feared to tread.
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