Coupled with the recent Ford Mustang video contest, Ford had also made the request of Mustang fans to submit their very own personal testimonial essay about their passion for the pony car.  The stakes?  A 250 word essay judged and voted upon by Ford and the online Mustang community.  The prize?  A brand new 2010 Mustang.  The winner?  Kory Chesher.  The U.S. Army Specialist with the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division submitted his personal reflection about a black 1968 Fastback that made quite the impression on him as a youngster.  Having never owned the very car he’s so passionate about, this awesome reward for his essay is truly a slice of Heaven on Earth.  Chesher will get two tickets to the LA Auto Show this month in addition to the prize of owning a brand new Mustang.  Looks like he should be able to be there for the official unveiling of “his” new car, as his Unit is returning stateside this month.  Be sure to check out his submission about the one we all love; the legendary Ford Mustang.

Chesher’s 242-word essay: “A Life Obsession”

It started when I was about 6 years old. I was in the truck with my father and we were at a stoplight. Across the road at the other light was this “car.” It drew my attention away from everything else in the world. I asked my dad what it was and he simply said, “Oh, that’s a Mustang.”

I remember it like it was yesterday. I now know that it was a 1968 black Fastback. That was almost 20 years ago. Twenty years of love, addiction, obsession. Twenty years of longing and desire.

Now I’m a solider in the United States Army deployed to Iraq. I spend my spare time tearing through Mustang magazines that my family and total strangers are kindhearted enough to send to me. Every opportunity I get I’m online poring through forums and pictures; studying every little tidbit of knowledge I can get my hands on; meticulously memorizing seemingly insignificant trivia. Names, dates, specs, colors, paint codes, production numbers, costs, anything, everything.

A Mustang of my own wouldn’t quell this life I live – it would supercharge it. The only thing greater than a life loving Mustangs is a life with a Mustang. With a Mustang to call my own I could finally experience the pride and freedom that I’ve only been watching from afar. It will ignite a passion like nothing I have ever experienced. Mustangs are my one true love.

I’m ready to go driving now.