Do you see Ford Motor Company manufacturing Mustangs many years from now? If so, where do you see the Mustang ten or twenty years from now?

The Ford Mustang has a history that spans more than 45 years. I’d like to think the car will be around for many more to come. Of course, I’d be lying if I told you I’m not concerned about the current state of affairs in regard to automotive industry. I applaud Ford for shunning government bailouts and Chapter 11 bankruptcy. I think they did the right thing. Unfortunately, by filing bankruptcy, GM was able to get rid of $40 billion in debt. As for Ford, BusinessWeek recently predicted the company will be $40 billion in debt by 2011 unless they can swap shares for debt. That could mean less money for things like marketing and new vehicle development. Although Ford did the right thing in my book, I think they are now at a disadvantage in some ways.

As for the future, it’s hard to say exactly how the car will look, but one thing’s for certain: Ford Mustang fans will make sure the car sticks to its roots. Back in the late ‘80s they tried to turn the Mustang into a Japanese engineered front-wheel drive vehicle with 4-cylinders to boot. Mustang enthusiasts spoke up and, thankfully, the redesign never happened. That car went on to become the Ford Probe. Last time I looked, they don’t sale Ford probes anymore. Of course the all-American rear-wheel drive Mustang is still turning heads.

What's your least favorite type of Mustang? What era is it from 60's, 70's, 80's 90's or 00's? and also Why?

I’d have to say my least favorite Mustang was the 1974 Mustang II. Like everything in life, there are different types of Mustangs for different types of people. That said, some people love their Mustang IIs, and others, well, aren’t big fans. My biggest complaint with the 1974 Mustang II is that it was underpowered. You had the choice of either an 88 hp 2.3L inline four-cylinder engine or a 105 hp 2.8L V-6. The V-8 engine was nowhere to be found! Thank God Ford decided to bring it back in 1975. The 1974 Mustang was also shorter, lighter, and smaller than the previous models. Although the car definitely has its place in Mustang history, this is probably my least favorite model year. Of course, jump a few years into the future and you have the 1976 Mustang II Cobra. That’s a Mustang I’d love to have in my garage.

What's your favorite type of Mustangs? What era is it from 60's, 70's, 80's 90's or 00's? and also Why?

My favorite Mustang is the 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H followed by the 1965 Shelby GT350R. The GT350H was a rental car offered by Hertz. You could rent one back then for $17 a day and 17 cents a mile. The car had a 289 High-Performance V-8 engine under its hood, producing upwards of 300 hp and 329 lb-ft of torque. For folks like me, the car is special because so few were produced. Word is only 1,001 were created. There are even fewer on the road today, although you’ll hear about a rare barn find from time to time. I’m a big fan of the car’s Raven Black paint job with Gold stripes to match. A few other colors were offered, but the black exterior is my favorite, and was most popular. As a fan of the 1966 model year, the GT350H is the top dog in my eyes.

As for the 1965 GT350R, it was the first production Mustang Carroll Shelby built for Ford. There are even fewer of these out there. The car featured performance mods such as a hood-mounted air scoop, side-exhaust pipes with 2-inch Glasspak mufflers, and a special Cobra hi-rise intake manifold. Heck, this Mustang didn’t even have a back seat. The Shelby GT350R was all about performance.

Ford Mustangs were always power machines that didn't care very much about gas efficiency, as time rolls on do you believe Mustangs are going to become gas efficient?

The Mustang will have to become more fuel efficient in the future. There’s no way around it. Gasoline is becoming more and more expensive with each passing year. To stay competitive, Ford will have to make sure the Mustang changes with the times. For instance, Ford says there will be an EcoBoost powered Mustang before 2012. It’s been rumored this twin-turbo 3.5L engine could produce between 340 to 415 hp. Best of all, the engine is said to produce 20 percent better fuel economy. Ford plans to offer the engine in the 2009 Lincoln MKS. Then the Flex, and eventually the Mustang.

In your opinion, what's the most valuable Mustang in the market place?

Although I can’t put a dollar amount on it, the Shelby Green Hornet EXP-500 prototype is one car that comes to mind. This Mustang was used as a test vehicle by Shelby Automobiles back in 1968. I hear Craig Jackson of Barrett-Jackson fame, along with Steve Davis, owns the car today.

Other valuable Mustangs include 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Convertibles, 1969 and 1970 Shelby GT500 Convertibles, those rare 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350Rs I admire so much, as well as 1969 Boss 429 Mustangs. In good condition, these cars can bring in upwards of $100,000 or more. Of course, I’d imagine the most highly sought after Mustang out there would be the first Mustang to ever roll down the production line. Unfortunately, there’s no way to prove where that car is. As you can imagine, this is the topic of much debate.

Do you believe Ford should do anything differently when it comes to the design of the Mustang? If yes, what?

I’d like to see a more powerful engine beneath the hood. The 4.6L V-8 engine is a winner, no doubt. Unfortunately Chevy’s new V-6 Camaro makes nearly as much power as the current Mustang GT. If Ford plans to stay competitive, they’re going to have to pony up on the power. The 5.0L Coyote engine should do the trick. It’s rumored this engine could produce 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. That would definitely level the playing field. There’s talk around town that this engine will appear in 2011. We’ll have to wait and see.

Why do you believe there is such a love affair with Mustangs? What makes a Mustang so special?

The Ford Mustang captures the spirit of the open road and it brings people together. Mustang owners, like the cars they drive, are competitive, spirited, and full of pride. They reside in all parts of the world and make up all different age groups. I don’t know many cars that bring people together like a Mustang does. The best part of owning a Mustang is talking with other owners. We get together on weekends to show off our cars. We share tips and advice with each other. No doubt, Mustang owners are a tight knit group. The car also has more than 45 years of collective pavement beneath its wheels. Each Mustang generation has a story to tell. The Ford Mustang is a virtual history book. That, in a nutshell, is what makes it so special to me.

Is the Mustang as popular in Europe as it is in America? If not, why? If yes, why?

As for its popularity, the car is definitely sought after overseas. Unfortunately, availability is a problem. Most people end up importing one, or they simply buy one that’s already been imported. This can be an expensive proposition. The cars have to be converted to European specs. We’re talking about things like amber rear-direction signals; it’s a lot of work. Another problem is access to parts. It can sometimes take weeks for European Mustang owners to find a replacement part for their car. Dealerships in Europe just aren’t set up to handle Mustang maintenance like the dealers here in the US.

Where's the next biggest market for Mustangs in the World?

I’d have to say Australia. The folks from the land down under really like their Mustangs. I receive quite a few emails each month from readers around the world. Many of these letters are from readers there. Their level of enthusiasm is incredible. I know one guy who actually shipped his Mustang over to the US just so he could enter it into a car show. When the show was over, he shipped it back.

If money weren't an option, what Mustang would you want to own?

Well, that 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H I told you about earlier would be first on my list, followed by an original 1965 Shelby GT350R. Another Mustang that recently captured my attention is the Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang. The car has class. It also has 400 horses under the hood. Only 45 will be made, each going for more than $100,000 a pop. In fact, one sold this past August for $125,000. When I win the lottery, I’ll let you know which Mustang I settle on. Heck, I’ll probably buy one of each!