A garage in a peaceful Minnesota suburb of Roseville has become a doorway to another time and place. Shining within is a 1987 Ford Mustang GT that has been painstakingly repaired, a tribute to the unfaltering commitment of one individual to preserving the history of automobiles.
Mark Johnson, 55 years old, has loved the Mustang for as long as he can remember. He distinctly recalls the excitement of seeing the vehicle’s aerodynamic lines and hearing the 5.0-liter V8 engine roar as a child in the 1980s.
Johnson thinks back on the time when the Mustang was the most popular car in town. For months, I set aside money from my allowance so I could buy the Hot Wheels version. I had no idea that I would be fortunate enough to obtain the genuine article someday.
Johnson finally found his dream Mustang in 2015 after perusing a classified ad. Peeled paint, a worn upholstery, and an unreliable engine were just a few signs of the car’s bad condition. The potential, though, was too great for Johnson to pass up.
Johnson then embarked on a three-year restoration project alone, relying on his extensive background as an auto mechanic. Careful inspection, repair, and refinishing were performed on every component, from the engine block to the taillight lenses, in accordance with manufacturer standards.
For Johnson, “there’s no doubt about it”—the project was a labor of love. I wanted to give up on this car so badly, but I kept going even when I felt like giving up. It was overflowing with charm and history.
The final product is really breathtaking. More than three decades have passed since the production line in Dearborn, Michigan, Michigan, released Johnson’s 1987 Mustang GT, and the car still sounds and looks the same. Looking at it takes one right back to the Reagan era, what with the dazzling red paint, chrome trim, and booming exhaust.
The sound of that familiar roar puts me right back in my teenage years, as Johnson puts it with a smile. “This Mustang isn’t just a car to me – it’s a piece of my childhood, and I’m honored to be its caretaker.”
Among Roseville locals, Johnson’s immaculate 1987 Mustang GT has taken on the status of a folk hero, serving as a living testament to the enduring love of classic cars. This is Johnson’s lifelong passion project, and he will treasure it always.
