In September 1986, I purchased my first car. A Sister and Brother-In-Law of a close Family Friend of ours owned a 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible. It was more or less their “Summer Car”, but after having two younger children, they now needed to sell the vehicle. My Sister Karen had always been in love with this Mustang, so she approached me with this unique opportunity to buy the car. Since I was young, naïve, had a Full Time Job (and of course, was still living at home with my Parents) this presented me with the financial means to purchase the Mustang.

Jessica, as I so named her, was just a great car to cruise around in, especially with the top down. Though she was equipped with a Straight V6 engine and would not be taking part in any drag racing, the ride itself was amazing, especially on the highway. With her shimmering black paint and white roof, she was a remarkable sight. The Mustang was already a classic at that time and I quickly became acquainted with the catalogue “Mustangs Unlimited”, as well as many rides to “Tosy’s Mustang Farm” in Wrentham, for much needed items. Over the years, we took her out every spring, all the way until fall. Beck and I enjoyed those many trips together, be it beach trips, Wickford, drive in movies, ice cream runs, even just going for a drive under the stars.

When Rebeckha was little, I promised the Mustang to her, once she got old enough to be out on her own. She, of course, did not recognize or appreciate what this antique car would mean for her at the time, but she still thought that it was a great idea! As a matter of fact, the only picture that I have of Beck in the Mustang, was when she was younger and was sitting in the driver’s seat, with several of her friends in the car as well.

It is funny how kids are, at their different stages of life. When Beck was younger, she loved the car. When she was around Middle School age, (What us old folks used to call “Junior High”), she wasn’t as enthused and would have rather opted for a new car. Be it a new Cadillac Pick-up, a Chrysler 300, even a Volkswagon Beatle. Some of her favorites.

This all changed when Rebeckha entered High School. From there on, the only thing that she talked about to all of her friends, was that she could not wait until Dad gave her the Mustang. As a matter of fact, each one of Beck’s friends who came to our house, was treated to the same story. What was funny, was that by this point, it appeared that she was looking to take over the car much sooner than I originally thought.

I do remember that her friends loved it and could not wait for Beck to own it as well! They also still talk about it to this day.

When Rebeckha passed her Driving test and received her license in March 2008, it took no more than two weeks, before she asked if she could drive her Mustang.

Unfortunately, since Rebeckha’s accident, her Mustang has been sitting in the garage, waiting patiently for the right opportunity to ride again. I have truly considered the Mustang to be Rebeckha’s car and I could not bring myself to drive her again. My thought was this: I was hoping to someday get her “ready” for the road again, sell her, and put the proceeds in to Beck’s foundation to help continue her legacy.

Well, that time has finally come. Rebeckha’s 1966 Mustang Convertible has been getting ready and then some! She is being completely restored, top to bottom, interior to exterior. She is undergoing what I would call, the true definition of a Resto-Mod restoration and she is almost ready to be seen by the world once again.

Michael Carr Senior, of Attleboro, MA and Michael Mello, of Riverside RI, have been performing all of the work, which includes, but is not limited to;

• New Shelby Cobra 302 Crate Motor – 350 HP – Sniper Fuel Injected V8
• New AOD Ford Overdrive 4 speed transmission
• New Currie 9” Rear End
• New Rod and Custom Front End with Disc Brakes
• New Power Rack and Pinion Steering
• New Sheet Metal all around (Fenders, Doors, Quarter Panels, Hood, Flooring, Inner Rocker Panels, etc)
• New 4-Link Rear Suspension with Coil Over Shocks and Baer Disc Brakes
• New TMI Full Pony Interior with Bolstered Seats
• New Black Paint with White Stripes
• New GT350 Badging, Styling, etc.
• New Walnut Steering Wheel
• New Gas Tank and Fuel Lines
• New Brake Booster and Brake Lines
• New Aluminum Radiator w/ Electric Fan
• New Wiring throughout
• New Front and Rear lighting
• New Chrome throughout
• New GT350 Wheels and Tires
• New Seals and Weather-stripping throughout
• New Hydraulic System for Power Top

In addition, the following folks and business have donated their time and / or facilities, to assist with our endeavor:

• Higher Graphix – Use of Shop, Facilities, and Labor for Fabrication
• East Bay Auto Body – Use of Spray Booth for final Paint
• Custom Crate Engine by TD Performance – www.fordcobraengines.com
• Fournier Auto – Use of shop for various painting projects

Basically she has been modified with all modern parts and technology but still has the same classic look we are all used to, with a little twist, she has now be modified into a 1966 Ford Mustang GT350 Convertible Replica!

What about the color?

It took months of my going back and forth, racking my brain over the Exterior color(s), to choose.

• Do we offer all the Ford Motor Company colors, for Beck’s Friends and Family to choose from?
• Do we paint her back to her original “Wimbledon White” color?
• Do we offer only the colors that she has been painted over the years? The Wimbledon White, Teal or Black?
• Do we ask for any other suggestions?

I finally decided to stick with the black, as this is the only color that we have ever known her to be. A black Ford Mustang GT350 Convertible, with a White Roof, and white stripes. Absolutely breathtaking, as you will soon see!

What does this mean to you? You could be the lucky winner, a Drawing Of A Lifetime! You could be the owner of this absolutely beautiful, high performance, Mustang! On top of that, Rebeckha’s Foundation will also make an income tax payment on behalf of the Lucky Winner to cover their fully restored Mustang.

What does this mean for Rebeckha’s Foundation? After donating Beck’s Mustang to her Foundation and completely restoring her to National Car Show quality, the Net proceeds, approximately $100,000, will go directly in to Rebeckha’s Foundation. These funds will be used to continue to do good work for the children and families in the community, in Rebeckha’s memory.

We will be selling a limited amount of raffle tickets, only 2,000, at $100 each and will hold a drawing, at a car show hosted by Rebeckha’s foundation, once all tickets have been sold.

The Covid–19 Pandemic has hurt us all and unfortunately, charities have been hit even worse. I would like to do something good in Rebeckha’s name again and this is my way of meeting my goal.

As of this year, Rebeckha’s Foundation has donated over $550,000 to youth and families on our community, but it has been over two years, since we have been able to raise additional funds, to continue doing good things in Rebeckha’s name. What better, than to take the chance of a lifetime, to own this beautiful Sports Car, while giving back to the community in Rebeckha’s memory as well.

For more information on the foundation visit:
www.rebeckhalynnwhitefieldfoundation.com