Men in uniform often thrive in adrenaline-filled, life-or-death situations, where timing is crucial down to precious seconds. The rush of going into a hot zone or a four-story inferno displaces any concern for personal safety when another?s life is on the line. So is it any wonder that a U.S. Army infantryman who also plays double duty as a firefighter would choose anything other than the power and fun of a Ford Mustang?
For Chris Quirk, a return from basic training in 2002 led him to his friend who had recently purchased a V6 Mustang equipped with an MP3 player. When Quirk feasted his eyes, he instantly fell in love. After a few run-arounds at the dealership, Quirk came home with a V6 of his own.
Setting the ball in motion, the infantryman also fell in with the local car scene, and in doing so, found a home in a local car club. He soon began the process of upgrading the pony, adding a body kit, nitrous and a variety of audiovisual equipment.
In February 2004, feeling emboldened by the car?s new profile, Quirk entered into a car show and took first place. He planned on continuing the upgrades but was more and more victimized by those who asked him why he didn?t get a V8 or challenging him to race.
In May 2004, Quirk would get his chance. During a routine drive, his Mustang was run off the road by another driver. Thankfully, Quirk came out unscathed. The car was not so lucky. For Quirk, it was another moment of decision.
“I was between a convertible or a GT,” said Quirk. “With my prior knowledge of how important it was to own a V8 because of how many times a day people would ask me ?is it an 8?? and ?do you wanna race it?? I knew it was the GT I wanted. The saleswoman, being the smart lady she was, told me, ?We have the perfect one, it?s a GT convertible.?”
Quirk would end up modifying the GT between deployments. In the past six years, he has been all over the world, at times putting his plans to modify his car on hold.
“I have been deployed twice and volunteered for the Hurricane Katrina mission in Mississippi and Louisiana,” Quirk said. “I was recently deployed May 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I spent a year in Mosul, Iraq, returning home in May 2008.”
Quirk has this piece of advice for late-model Mustang owners.
“With my love for Mustangs and modifying cars I took my time with the rest of the mods and made sure it was done right. With Mustangs you either do it right or wrong, there is no in-between. It?s easy to make that ricer mistake and ruin the beast.”
What do you drive?
A 2003 Ford Mustang GT convertible.
Why do you drive it?
Because I am a Mustang fanatic!
What makes this car so special?
It was my dream car since I was 16 and now I made it a dream car with the performance, audio, and style.
What?s your most memorable driving experience?
Driving to Ocean City with my entire car club. It?s just an awesome feeling to cruise together with a bunch of hot cars.
What?s currently in your CD player?
A navigation CD of the East Coast.
What was your first vehicle?
A 1998 Kia Sephia … only for a few months till the white V6.
And your first ticket? What was it for?
Spinning wheels.
Check Out My Stats:
Engine: V8 280 CID
Performance: BBK long tube headers, BBK off-road pipe, Flowmaster 40 series cat-back system, Flowmaster exhaust
Wheels: 17″ gunmetal gray Bullitt wheels
Exterior: Ground Designs 2000 Black Widow body kit, molded front/rear bumpers, halo headlights, LED taillights, two-tone paint job, VIS Stalker 2 carbon fiber hood
Interior: Momo Trek steering wheel, Autometer 5″ Monster tachometer, PlayStation 2, voltmeter, in-dash bass control, 2 600 Watt 12″ Alphasonik subwoofers, 1000 W Alphasonik amplifier, Pioneer in-dash Navigation, DVD, Bluetooth, iPod interfaces, custom rear seat audio enclosure
