In an extraordinary tale of automotive history and sentimental attachment, Gail Wise from Park Ridge, Illinois, still sits proudly in the driver's seat of the very first Ford Mustang sold in the United States. Purchased on April 15, 1964, the iconic Mustang has been a cherished possession for Gail for the past 60 years.

Gail's journey to owning the first-ever Ford Mustang began when she realized she needed her own car at 22 years old. Accompanied by her father, she visited Johnson Ford in Chicago, a dealership her family had always trusted for their Ford vehicles. Much to her disappointment, no convertibles were available on the showroom floor. However, the kind salesman unveiled a hidden gem - a Mustang convertible in "Skylight Blue," which wasn't supposed to be sold until two days later at the New York World's Fair.

Falling in love with the sporty design, bucket seats, and floor transmission, Gail's excitement led her to purchase the Mustang without a test drive. With its price tag of $3,447.50, she used a loan from her father to make the historic purchase. When she drove the car out of the showroom, no one had yet seen the Mustang, and Gail felt like a movie star as people waved and asked her to slow down so they could catch a glimpse of the outstanding vehicle.

Gail's Mustang quickly became a sensation, attracting the attention of her classmates when she drove it to school the next day. Over the course of the next 15 years, she enjoyed the Mustang as a daily driver, even after marrying Tom Wise, a Navy electronics technician. The couple moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and raised their four children, with the Mustang remaining a significant part of their lives.

However, the passage of time and the harsh winters of Chicago took their toll on the iconic Mustang. Rust started to appear, and the engine began to struggle. In the late '70s, the car faced a major issue with frozen carburetor linkage, leading Tom to push it into the garage and promising to fix it soon. Little did they know that the Mustang would sit idle for 27 years.

Throughout those years, Gail occasionally suggested selling the Mustang, but Tom, seeing it as his retirement project, insisted on keeping it. He even built an addition to their garage to provide a safe space for their beloved car. Eventually, in late 2005, Tom retired at 60, and they made the decision to restore the Mustang.

Reflecting on her 60 years of ownership, Gail expressed immense gratitude for the memories and experiences shared with her beloved Mustang. From family outings to rides with their kids, the car holds a special place in their hearts as a snapshot of a bygone era.

As Gail Wise looks back on her journey as the original owner of the first-ever Ford Mustang sold in the United States, she serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy and timeless appeal of this iconic vehicle.