COLOGNE, Germany, Nov. 11, 2016 – How to spend your 97th birthday? For Lennart Ribring the answer was easy. Behind the wheel of a unique and iconic sports car.
Born in 1919, when the Ford Model T had only been in production for 11 years, Lennart got his driving licence at the first opportunity, when he turned 18 in 1937. Now he has treated himself to a new Ford Mustang fastback.
Capable of 249 km/h (155 mph) and 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.8 seconds, the race red sports car, takes pride of place on Lennart’s driveway at his home in Stockholm, Sweden.
“My name is Lennart Ribring. I’m 97-years-old. I drive a 5.0-litre V8 Ford Mustang fastback and I’m really happy,” he says in a video that captures the moment when Lennart picks up his new car from his local Ford dealership, takes his son Michael for a spin, and shows it off to granddaughter Emilia.
Lennart, who also enjoys sailing, was among the first people in the country to buy an original Ford Mustang in the 1960s. Now, more than 50 years later, it could be that he’s one of the world’s oldest Mustang drivers.
“I fell in love with the first Mustangs that came out and I have hardly thought about another car since. You felt a bit like king of the road.” said Lennart. “I don’t have long to live now, maybe. So, I want to take the opportunities I have to drive and have a little fun in life. This is the real thing.”
A retired businessman who still works part-time as an accountant, Lennart also has some wise words for those who plan on still being behind the wheel when they are approaching 100.
“I would encourage younger drivers to let their porridge cool down first,” said Lennart. “Learn about a car properly before you drive it. You must always think about safety.”
The new Mustang, the first to go on sale across Europe since the model was first launched in the U.S., in 1964, is available as a fastback or convertible, and with a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, as well as the 5.0-litre V8.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
