1993 Mustang GT Returns to Man 17 Years Later
Slideshow: When unexpected family circumstances arise, a man in Texas is forced to sell his cherished '93 Mustang GT. Years later, his kids return the favor in a remarkable way.
A wild ride for one 1993 Mustang GT
After his wife was diagnosed with cancer, Wesley Ryan was forced to sell his beloved Mustang to help pay off mounting medical bills. Years later, his kids set up a plan to get the car back. There were some bumps along the way, but the ending is a happy one for one dedicated family and their beloved car.
Photos courtesy of Today.com.
Meet Christine, the beloved Mustang GT
There's a story behind every name, like this Mustang named Christine. In the 1983 film and Stephen King novel with the same name, Christine is a 1985 Plymouth Fury out to get anyone who wrongs her or her owner. In the film, Christine is badly worn and in need of extensive repairs at the time of her purchase. Fortunately, even though the car was out of their lives for 17 years, the Ryan siblings found the vehicle was still in great shape when they bought it back.
1993 Mustang GT
With a date range of 1987 to 1993, Christine was built at the tail end of the third generation of Ford Mustangs. Several changes were made for the 1993 Mustangs, including new ratings of 205 HP and 275 lb-ft of torque. The driver's side door switch panel now controlled all of the windows in the car, including the rear windows. CD players were also optional in the 1993 vehicles.
A tough decision
Seventeen years ago, Wesley made the decision to part with his beloved Mustang to help pay for his wife's mounting medical bills after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. "I know how much it broke him in half seeing that car drive away from him," Wesley's son, Jake, said in an article on Today.com.
The search begins
Although they were young when their father's Mustang was sold, Jake and Jeni Ryan never forgot how much their father's car meant to him. In an effort to repay him, Jake tried to locate Christine. After finding the car during an online search and confirming the VIN number was a match, the siblings were very close to finally getting their long-awaited reunion.
If at first you don't succeed...
Their joy soon turned into despair, however, as Christine's current owner turned down the siblings' offer to buy back the Mustang.
...try, try again
Two years later, Jake and Jeni decided to try buying back the car again. This time they succeeded and discovered that the car's current owner was not only willing to sell back the car, she was also going to use the proceeds to help fund cancer treatments for her own mother.
An unforgettable surprise
All of their hard work finally paid off, which meant it was time to surprise their father. "Coming home surprising my pops was a feeling and moment I’ll never forget," recalls Jake. "To see his face and emotion made it all worth it."
A sweet reunion
Wesley was reunited with his beloved Christine in a Kohl's parking lot near their residence in San Antonio, Texas. Not only were Jake and Jeni present, but their mother, Laura, was there as well. Laura has thankfully remained cancer-free for 13 amazing years. Wesley removed his blindfold and was stunned to see his beloved Mustang sitting before him.
What's next for Christine?
However, after so many years away, Christine is understandably in need of a little TLC. Jake is eager to work on the car and get her fixed up for many more years of driving to come. In an interview with the San Antonio News-Express, Wesley says, "it was never about repaying me." He concludes that his kids are "balanced human beings" and "productive adults." Knowing that he and Laura have raised their kids well is "the strongest, most powerful feeling that a parent can have," Wesley concludes.
And, for information on maintenance and repairs for your Mustang, head on over to our How-Tos at MustangForums.com!