JUNEAU, WI – In the entire Mustang world, there’s only a handful of people known to be the ultimate experts when it comes to the original build specifications of Ford’s first-generation pony cars. That’s because with scant recordkeeping and documentation for those early cars, information and knowledge can’t come from books or paper files; it has to come from hands-on, eyes on, first-hand working experience. And that’s exactly what separates Mustang authority Bob Perkins from most of his peers. As you might expect, after restoring and authenticating 1965-73 Ford Mustangs for decades now, Perkins has come across some significant examples of first-generation Mustangs that he’s been able to add to his own personal collection.
Bob still runs his Perkins Restoration business in Juneau, Wisconsin – one he started back in 1978. It’s a full-service, in-house 1965-73 Mustang and Shelby restoration shop with paint, mechanical and NOS parts services, including NOS Ford parts and accessories sales for the same cars. Bob had been a contributing editor and technical advisor to the old Mustang Monthly Magazine for years, writing The Resto Roundup column while serving as the Mustang Club of America’s Authenticity head judge as well as the Shelby American Automobile Club’s Head Judge. Bob is a Bloomington Gold Survivor Zenith Judge (Ford products) and long served as the Ford Answer Man for the My Classic Garage expert panel.
We got the opportunity for an exclusive visit to Bob Perkins’ collection while supporting the “Cruise For A Cause” Fall Ford Fest in the Wisconsin Dells last October on behalf of the Mustang Brand Team. In-between hosting a special Mustang presentation at the event’s kickoff welcome event, setting up a Meet & Greet and Mustang poster giveaway at the big car show while recoding a podcast episode and serving as the banquet entertainment with a special “Town Hall” recording session of our Mustang Owner’s Podcast, my podcast co-host Mike Rey and I contacted Bob in the hopes of getting a private tour of his shop to see his cars. Being the true enthusiast that he is, Bob graciously gave up his afternoon to walk us through his collection and to tell us the inside story behind each and every car on display there – as well as for much of his memorabilia. It was so intriguing that we decided to tape the whole visit to make it a stand-alone episode of our Mustang Owner’s Podcast.
Yes, we saw and heard about Bob’s 1971 Boss 302 – the one and only one ever built by Ford. We also got the real-world stories and close-up looks behind every car in his incredible collection of miniscule-mile, first-generation Mustangs and rarely seen memorabilia. And yes, that included his time-capsule 1966 Mustang Hardtop and Fastback, along with his rare 1969 Mach 1 and Mach 1 Cobra Jet – even his 1969 Ford Drag Team SOHC Mustang as well as The Gasser, Ohio George’s famed 69 Mustang race car. Just take a look at our photos from the visit below – but just know we couldn’t possibly re-tell the amazing stories behind each and every one of Bob’s ultra-low-mile Mustang rarities you see here. You’ll need to hear them from Bob himself. So for that we urge you to head on over to Spotify or YouTube and watch (or listen) to the Perkins Tour episode of the Mustang Owner’s Podcast (and don’t forget to Like and Subscribe while you’re there). I guarantee you’ll be just as amazed as we were. Enjoy the pics!
FORD RACING PHOTOS / JOHN CLOR
