DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Catherine At Peter's Hill

Q: How did you get your Mustang?

A: This car has been sitting in the garage since it became undrivable due to rust a little over 20 years ago. My dad held onto it with hopes to restore it or sell it one day. When the time came to make the decision if it was worth fixing up, I couldn't let it go. I put every extra dollar I made into an envelope, the Mustang Fund. I also got help from my other family members on Christmases and birthdays. Eventually there was enough to get the ball rolling on the restoration, so we did it.

Q: What went into the restoration?

A: Aside from the actual body of the car, we did a complete restoration: new floors, new top, new interior, new brakes, new everything. There was so much work, I thought it would never be done. It's incredible all the work my dad, and a few of his friends, put into this car. It's like it's brand-new.

Q: How long did it take to restore?

A: It took about two years. There will be little things here and there forever, but mostly vanity-type things.

Q: Have you always been into restored cars?

A: I love a classic or muscle car in great shape, but now I appreciate and respect them a lot more because restoration is a very long, very expensive process. I like the finished product. The restoration part isn't so fun.

Q: What's your car's main use? 

A: My car is a pleasure vehicle. It's not my everyday car. I only take it out with no chance of bad weather. During spring, summer, and fall, I'll take it out for maybe an hour or two a couple of times per week depending on the weather.

Q: Do you have any rules in your car? 

A: My rules are no food, no drink, no pets, no jerks. I basically keep these rules so I do not have to fix up anything inside the car for a long time. And I don't like jerks.

Q: How many miles do you think are left in the car?

A: I'm planning on keeping this car forever. I can't answer that question. I'm going to keep up with it and make sure its life can last just as long as mine.

Q: What will be your next car?

A: I drive a Ford Explorer as my everyday car, and I really like it. I would probably just get another one.

Q: What's your dream car?

A: I have my absolute dream car. I have wanted to drive in that car since I can remember. I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have a dad who would do what he can to make those dreams come true.