This section of the site features original and previously published articles by George Pelecanos.

Because cars in general and musclecars in particular play a large role in my books, I am often asked what I drive. Here is my latest, a 2006 Mustang GT. I went with the '06 because the 07s have changed very little; you can get a break on the remaining inventory, not to mention 0% financing or a $1500 rebate from Ford. The car looks like a million bucks but the truth is you can get one for the cost of Toyota Camry or a Honda Accord. No joke.

Mine is black-over-red. I have always liked the red interior, which is rare these days except for in top-of-the-line imports. I owned a white-over-red '67 Dodge Polara when I first met my wife, so there is an element of nostalgia for me in the color choice. And my father bought one of the first Mustangs off the line, a '64 ˝ turquoise-over-white (and later owned a '67 convertible), so there was the honor-your-dad aspect of the purchase as well. Plus, I'm a Bullitt fan. In my formative years I had a '70 Camaro, which I loved, and in general I'm a Mopar admirer. But I always knew I was going to own a Stang. The only question was when. I saw the retro redesign and knew this was the one.

My GT is a 300 hp V8. It has dual pipes, chrome tipped, with separate mufflers (in other words, the exhaust system is functional, not cosmetic, as it is in most of the rice burners you see on the street.) When you ignition the GT you can hear the rumble and feel it underneath you. I have owned better handling and more luxurious cars, but none have quickened my pulse the way this one does when I turn the key. And it is fast. The power has already gotten me out of "situations" on the highway. Note to Johnny Law: please don't come down on me, I am only having fun.

I went with the upgrade packages, interior and exterior. 18" Z-grade tires and premium wheels (they look like Cragers), 500 watt Shaker sound system, changeable instrument light colors, leather seats, on-board computer, side air bags, etc. It's worth it to dress this one up.

One other note: I do not feel like a middle aged guy usurping the car of a younger generation when I am under the wheel of this car; the Mustang is the car of my generation. I was waiting for the manufacturer to bring back the look and feel of the legendary pony car of the mid-to-late sixties. They made it, I bought it, and I'm happy. Ford did it right.