My wheels: Salem Masoud Al Shaqsi's Ford Mustang

From the looks of your Mustang, you seem to be really into customising cars...

Absolutely. I have been customising cars since 1990. At that time, people were just getting into the tuning scene here in the Gulf, but I have always had a passion for it.

I have helped modify more than 190 cars around the GCC. During the Dubai shopping festival in 2004, I organised one of the first customised car shows in the Middle East called Auto Zone. It was a huge success with 115 participants. I have entered many shows and won lots of awards for my work, ranging from the best interior to the best sound system.

How long have you had the Pony?

It's been mine for ten months. I found it in Sharjah and it wasn't in the best of conditions to say the least.

It used to be beige and I wanted it to look totally different, so I dared myself to foil it instead of painting it. I had seen and heard good things about foiling, so I went ahead and selected a matte grey colour with brushed aluminium stripes.

It looks fabulous, but how hard is it to maintain?

It's tough, but thanks to the Sharjah Classic Car Museum and its team of skilled mechanics managed by Ahmad Al Jarwan; they always support me with maintenance and getting hold of spare parts.

It used to overheat in the summer but now it lives a spoilt life and I only drive it during the winter and it behaves immaculately in the cooler climate.

Tell us about the modifications you've had done to it...

I had the exterior foiled and had the interior trimmed in brushed aluminium to match the exterior with a leather, animal print.

The exhaust system was also modified and it now sounds like a Harley-Davidson.

Does it have the 289 under the bonnet?

It does indeed have the 289 series engine, which is a 4.7-litre V8 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Just 472 Mustangs were equipped with that unit in 1965.

I drive it mainly on weekends or classiccar parades and shows in the UAE. It gets plenty of attention; people are always taking pictures of it — even when I'm waiting at the traffic lights.

People give me the thumbs up wheneverthey see the car. Usually, they tend to getreally close to it, to get a better look atthe bodywork.

Are you a member of any car clubs?

I am a member of many clubs, including the Emirates Motor Sports Federation, Kustom Ryders and Harley-Davidson biker clubs. They keep me occupied all year long.

Where do you like to drive it most?

I enjoy driving it near the beach.

You love American muscle, but do you dream of any other cars?

I would love to own a Bugatti Veyron Mansory edition. It would look great next to the Mustang and my other cars, a 1964 Chevrolet Impala and a very rare Mini Moke.

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