My Cars - Matthew Newsum

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Tesla Model 3

2023 Standard Black

My daily driver and introduction to the world of electric vehicles. The Model 3 combines cutting-edge technology with impressive performance and efficiency. It's completely changed my perspective on what a car can be.

Key Features

Autopilot
268 mile range
0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds
Over-the-air updates

The transition to electric was initially about efficiency, but it quickly became about the incredible driving experience. The instant torque, silent operation, and advanced tech features make every drive enjoyable.

2023 Ford Mustang Mach 1

2023 Manual Transmission 500 HP Chassis P1773

Where Heritage Meets Modern Muscle

There's something visceral about firing up a black 2023 Mustang Mach 1 equipped with a manual transmission. Add a Roush H-pipe with the resonators deleted, and you've got a symphony that would make the original 1969 Mach 1 owners nod in approval. This isn't just another special edition Mustang—it's Ford's greatest hits album on four wheels.

The Mach 1 nameplate carries weight in Mustang circles. First introduced in 1969 as a performance-focused fastback that bridged the gap between the GT and the Shelby models, the Mach 1 became an instant icon. The 2023 model represents the final year of the S550 platform Mach 1, making it a future collectible that captures the pinnacle of Ford's muscle car evolution before the shift to the new generation.

Production Numbers: A Rare Breed

Based on enthusiast tracking through chassis numbers and VINs (Ford hasn't officially published these figures), here are the production numbers for the 2021-2023 Mustang Mach 1:

2021: 6,323 units (including 10 test mules) — about 8.28% of all Mustangs that year
2022: 6,137 units — about 7.22% of total Mustang production
2023: ~3,028 units (estimated) — production shortened due to S650 generation launch

Total: Approximately 15,488 units across all three years.

The lower 2023 numbers reflect the shortened production run before the S650 generation debut, while 2021 numbers were impacted by industry-wide supply chain issues. These figures come from community tracking on enthusiast forums like Mustang6G, since Ford Performance hasn't released official production data.

My 2023 (Chassis P1773) is part of that final, smallest production year—making it particularly special among an already rare breed.

The Best of Every Mustang

Ford essentially raided the parts bin of their greatest Mustangs and created something extraordinary:

From the GT350: Intake manifold, oil filter adapter, and engine oil cooler
From the Bullitt: 500-horsepower naturally aspirated 5.0L Coyote V8 with rev-matching (Was 480-horsepower in the Bullitt)
From the GT Performance Pack 2: Front splitter and rear spoiler aerodynamics
From the GT500: Rear axle cooling system, rear toe link, and diffuser

The Manual Transmission: A Dying Art

Choosing the Tremec 3160 six-speed manual transmission in 2023 feels like an act of rebellion. With rev-matching technology, heel-toe downshifts become optional rather than necessary, but the satisfaction of rowing through the gears yourself remains irreplaceable. The short-throw shifter clicks into each gear with mechanical precision, reminding you that you're in complete control of this 500-horsepower beast.

The Roush H-Pipe Transformation

The addition of a Roush H-pipe and resonator delete transforms the character entirely. The H-pipe creates that classic American muscle car sound—a deeper, more guttural tone with a distinctive burble on deceleration. Cold starts announce your presence to the neighborhood, while wide-open throttle runs produce a spine-tingling wail that climbs to the 7,500 RPM redline.

Modern Tech Meets Raw Performance

While the Mach 1 celebrates analog driving pleasure, it's backed by sophisticated modern technology that enhances the experience:

No-Lift Shift: The manual transmission includes no-lift shift capability—allowing you to keep the throttle pinned during upshifts while the ECU cuts ignition momentarily for lightning-fast gear changes. It's a feature borrowed from motorsport that makes aggressive driving smoother and faster.

Drive Modes: Multiple selectable drive modes transform the car's character instantly. Normal for daily driving, Sport for spirited backroads, Track for maximum performance, and Drag Strip mode with line lock for perfect burnouts. Each mode adjusts throttle response, steering weight, stability control intervention, and exhaust note.

Active Exhaust: The factory active valve performance exhaust works in concert with drive modes, opening bypass valves for maximum volume in Track mode or keeping things civilized in Normal. Combined with the Roush H-pipe, even the quiet mode has presence—the loud modes are gloriously antisocial. (And if you know me - well antisocial fits perfectly)

Digital Instrument Cluster: The 12-inch fully digital gauge cluster transforms with each drive mode, displaying everything from classic analog-style gauges to track-focused layouts with oil temp, vaccum pressure, g-force meters, and lap timers. You can customize what information matters most to you for each driving scenario.

Premium Sound System: The available B&O sound system with 12 speakers delivers concert-quality audio. Whether you're listening to the engine symphony or your favorite playlist, the clarity is exceptional. Though honestly, with that Coyote V8 and Roush exhaust, the best sound system is the one under the hood.

As Ford transitions to the new S650 generation Mustang and an increasingly electrified future, the 2023 Mach 1 represents something special: possibly the last great naturally aspirated, manual transmission Mustang special edition we'll ever see. Every drive becomes an event. Every gear change connects you to a lineage dating back to 1964.

It haunted me for 3 months before I just bought it. Black paint, manual transmission, Roush H-pipe—this isn't just a specification list. It's automotive perfection.