Anyone remember the chase scene in the 1968 Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt”? Well the scene had Bullitt driving a dark “Highland Green” 1968 Ford Mustang G.T. 390 Fastback, but who really cares about comparing the little details when you’re riding
Anyone remember the chase scene in the 1968 Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt”? Well the scene had Bullitt driving a dark “Highland Green” 1968 Ford Mustang G.T. 390 Fastback, but who really cares about comparing the little details when you’re riding in Angelo Catiggay’s 1967 Mustang GT fastback?
And Catiggay’s 2 plus 2 “Stang” is a whole lot better looking too. Walking around this 42-year-old classic one wonders how the previous and present owner manage to keep the nicks and dents away from the pristine bodywork.
Sooner or later, most of us come home to find a scratch, a ding, or some other horrible little cosmetic infection on our cars that someone has quietly left us while we’re shopping at the local supermarket. Not so with Catiggay’s gleaming chrome and Nightmist blue metallic beauty.
Angelo Catiggay’s interest in owning a Mustang really began with the rental of a Mustang when Catiggay was visiting on O‘ahu. When he returned to Kaua‘i he rented another one just to be sure that the passion to own one was still there.
Sure enough the sound and the power of the Mustang rental connected within the heart of Catiggay and Mr. Ford’s Mustang suddenly created a path of asphalt enlightenment for the construction service manager.
“I always loved American muscle cars and five years back I finally got serious about owning one,” said Catiggay.
One day he spotted a knockout 1967 Mustang GT in front Kaua‘i Community College and immediately ran to his wife and made the pitch that so many other responsible husbands throughout history have made ever since they invented the wedding band.
He breathlessly described the precious shiny blue Mustang with the enormous “For Sale” sign on it at KCC that was probably going to be sold out from under him before the end of his silky smooth used car sales pitch.
Catiggay went on to offer up the financial wisdom of investing in a classic car that appreciates over the years, rather than purchasing a brand new car that immediately decreases from the instant they slam the showroom door behind you.
This is not to say that buying a brand new car is not a joyous and heady occasion in and by itself, but for a husband’s pitch to own a classic car this view tends to work in a constructive and positive way.
Apparently Catiggay’s sales skills were in peak performance that day and with the blessing of his soul mate he was soon cruising along Kuhio Highway with a mile-wide grin as he nodded to the envious stares of sad-faced gas-sipping import drivers, traveling to and from their 9-to-5s.
Catiggay was informed by the seller that the car previously came from Las Vegas where the owner had occasionally taken it out on the race track. The Las Vegas owner must have wisely covered his metal Mustang in a body condom to keep the track pebbles from bulleting the paint job because there appears to be no visible signs of damage on the GT and this important bit of news conveniently closed the sale of the ‘67 classic.
Over the years Catiggay has enlisted the help of his good friend and mechanic, Danilo Sanchez. Together they have worked on both his classic 1965 Volkswagen and his 2002 Mustang. Future investment on the ‘67 will include total restoration of the engine compartment, electrical system, new carpeting, rubber seals, and various other replacements to keep the car as original as possible.
“Though I love the power under the hood of my Mustang I don’t drive fast on the highway, I make it a point to drive safely,” said Catiggay. This is probably the real secret as to how Catiggay keeps his Mustang’s beautiful exterior flawless and financially desirable.
“I would like to offer one final thought for young folks on Kaua‘i. I would like to recommend that they get involved in working on cars, and especially the older models, to appreciate the American car culture and also to learn to drive safely and responsibly on our highways,” said Catiggay.
To view a short video of Angelo Catiggay’s 1967 Mustang GT fastback, click on the “TGI video” link at kauaiworld.com.
Watch video
footage online
of this classic 1967 Mustang in action as part of The Garden Island’s recurring series on Kaua‘i’s Classic Car Club and check back each week for a new classic.
• Leo DuBois, contributor, can be reached via news editor Nathan Eagle at 245-3681 (ext. 227) or via e-mail at neagle@kauaipubco.com
