Mad About Mustangs: How a Hobby Turned Into a Portland Business

Turning a passionate hobby into a lucrative family business, Portland resident, Dave Rowland is very proud of his specialty car establishment fittingly named, “Mustang Madness."

As its name implies, Rowland’s business specializes in fixing, painting, refurbishing and loving Ford Mustangs of every age, make, model, size and style.

“Every since I was a little kid, I have just loved Mustangs,” said Rowland, who got his first 1966 Mustang at age 14, from his father who was a Ford salesman. “Everyone in my family had a Mustang and learned to drive in a Mustang and we all love them.”

Mustangs were first revealed to the world on April 17, 1964 at the World’s Fair in New York City. Ever since, these speedsters have been synonymous with the unbridled, adventurous spirits of car enthusiasts everywhere. With sleek lines, thunderous engines, bright colors and American hearts, it’s easy to see why so many car enthusiasts, have love affairs with Mustangs.

Passing on his admiration for these unique vehicles and their mechanical lineage, Rowland’s son Dave Jr. works fulltime at Mustang Madness with his father, doing what they do best; tweaking motors, specialized performance Mustang work, helping customers make choices about which Mustang is right for them and helping them choose new paint colors, get hard to find parts and making sure their vehicles are safe to enjoy and have fun in.

“I think people love Mustangs so much more than any other car because they are a piece of Americana, they are nostalgic and they represent just having fun,” explains Dave Jr. who also got his very first Mustang at age fourteen.

Dave Sr. adds, “These cars just make you feel good. When you are driving them down the road, with the radio turned up, they just make you smile, that’s why people love them. I don’t think we have had one Mustang owner in here yet who has only had one Mustang. They are just great cars and once you have one you want more. In my life I have had over 40 Mustangs.”

However, currently due to his busy work schedule, Dave Sr., doesn’t have his own Mustang.

“I am too busy working on everyone else’s car to have one of my own,” he laughs “But, I will get another one soon.”

He worked for several years as a mechanic for someone else, but had always enjoyed working on Mustangs in his spare time. Once word got out that he was the guy to go to for specialty Mustang work, he was able to go into business for himself.

Now there are Mustangs waiting to get into his shop, that’s how successful his business has become. Currently he has 13 different vehicles he is working on at his place on Freestone Avenue in Portland. Each vehicle is in a different stage of restoration or repair, but all bare the unmistakable, iconic racing horse emblem that only adorns the body of a Mustang.

Having been in his current location for approximately three years, Dave Sr. says things are going well and he hopes that more Mustang lovers, as well as other car enthusiasts, come down to check him out.

“Although our specialty is Mustangs we do offer full service body and collision repair on all makes and models of cars,” says Dave Sr.

For more information about Mustang Madness and the work they do, go to
www.mustangmadnessmotorsportsct.com or call 860-342-2400.