06/13/2026
Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup committee member spot light
Mark Solis
Mark says he has loved Mustangs for as long as he can remember. He grew up surrounded by them. His mother owned Mustangs, as did his older brother, younger brother, brother-in-law, and uncle. As a child, he was constantly drawing Mustangs—so much so that they were practically the only thing he drew. Friends from elementary school still tell him that one thing they remember most about him was that he was always sketching Mustangs. In fact, he still has one of those childhood drawings today.
Coincidentally, both Mark and the Mustang were born in 1964. He often jokes that he was made for the Mustang—or perhaps the Mustang was made for him. Either way, he has always felt a special connection to the iconic pony car.
As a high school junior, Mark's sister gave him a Mazda-powered RX-2. It looked rough, but it ran great. Later, he found another RX-2 with a beautiful body but a blown engine. With help from his brother-in-law, he swapped the drivetrain into the better-looking car.
Around that same time, his older brother was starting a family and needed a practical four-door vehicle. He offered to trade Mark his 1967 Fastback straight across. What teenage boy would turn down a deal like that?
Little did Mark know that this wasn't just any Mustang. It was actually a rare Ford T5. Because another company in Germany already owned the rights to the Mustang name, Ford sold Mustangs there under the T5 designation. These cars never carried Mustang badging, making them highly sought-after collectibles today. His brother had purchased it from a dealership, and that unique T5 became Mark's first Mustang. Unfortunately, like many young people, he eventually needed money and had to sell it—a decision he still wishes he hadn't made.
Years later, he found another 1967 Fastback, this time a GTA. Under the hood was a 289 High Performance engine that he transformed into a serious street machine. The engine was bored .030 over and equipped with a Crane Fireball camshaft, Ho**er headers, Mallory ignition, an oversized radiator, 10:1 flat-top pistons, chromoly rings, upgraded lifters, and numerous other performance enhancements. He also installed a shift kit in the transmission and upgraded the suspension, creating a fast, responsive car that was a blast to drive. Plans were already underway for new paint and a refreshed interior when life intervened once again. As he began raising a family of his own, he made the difficult decision to sell the car.
Even during the years when he didn't own a Mustang, his love for them never faded. Then, in 2005, Ford introduced the retro-inspired fifth-generation Mustang. Seeing the new design brought back memories of his beloved Fastbacks and reignited his passion. Deep down, he knew it was only a matter of time before another Mustang found its way into his garage.
In 2007, Mark, his best friend, and their families learned about the Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup. They began attending every year as spectators and quickly turned it into a family tradition. They spent their weekends admiring the cars, taking photos, reconnecting with friends, and dreaming about owning Mustangs again. Each year brought new cars, new ideas, and fresh inspiration.
Then, in 2015, that dream became reality.
Mark found Sally, a 2008 Mustang GT California Special. As a child, he often drew blue-and-black Mustangs with five-spoke wheels and custom styling, and Sally looked remarkably similar to the car he had imagined years earlier. But Sally was more than just another California Special. The paperwork identified her as a Foose Edition, complete with Chip Foose wheels, blackout trim, and other upgrades not typically found on GT/CS models. The seller hadn't fully realized what they had, making the purchase an incredible find.
Since then, Mark has continued personalizing Sally, making her uniquely his own while learning more about the Mustang hobby and car-show community. While he regrets selling his previous Mustangs, there is one thing he knows for certain—he will never sell Sally.
One of his favorite sayings is, “You can live in your car, but you can't race your house.”
Sally has become more than just a car; she is part of the family. Mark's grandson, Greyson, already enjoys helping wash the car and loves every opportunity to ride in it. Mark's granddaughter also developed a love for Sally at an early age and always looked forward to riding in the Mustang. While it remains one of her favorite cars, she has reached the pre-teen years and, like most kids her age, has discovered a variety of new interests that now compete for her attention. Even so, the memories she has made in the Mustang remain special to her. Someday, Sally will be passed down to Greyson, ensuring that the family's Mustang story continues for another generation
Mark has brought Sally to the Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup since 2017, The event has given him some valuable treasures —friendships, memories, and a sense of community. Every year, the Roundup is one of the first events marked on his calendar.
He also participates in autocross, although he laughs when describing himself as a very cautious racer. While he enjoys competition, he admits he's more concerned about preserving Sally than chasing fast lap times. Many of his friends think he's crazy for autocrossing a car that's also a showpiece, and he admits they may have a point.
The number 33 displayed on his car holds special meaning. It represents his Christian faith and the age of Christ at the time of His crucifixion. It was also the number he wore while playing high school football and later while helping lead a men's basketball team to a state championship. The number carries additional significance because his father served in the 33rd Infantry Division during World War II. For Mark, 33 is more than a number—it represents faith, family, perseverance, and heritage.
Another cherished memory involving Sally came when Mark had the opportunity to drive in a Memorial Day Parade while honoring family members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. During the parade, he paid tribute to his uncle on his father's side, Ernest Solis, who was killed in action in Europe during World War II. He also honored his uncle on his mother's side, Henry Mares, who was killed in action in the South Pacific during World War II. Making the occasion even more meaningful, his mother and his granddaughter rode alongside him in the Mustang. Seeing three generations of his family together while honoring two fallen heroes was an unforgettable experience. One of Mark's favorite memories is seeing his mother wave to the crowd as spectators smiled and waved back. After her passing a few years later, that moment became even more precious. Today, it remains one of his most treasured Mustang memories.
Today, Mark continues to enjoy every aspect of the Mustang community. He loves meeting new enthusiasts, reconnecting with old friends, and helping create memorable experiences for others. As a member of the Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup planning committee, he takes pride in helping make the event one of the premier Mustang gatherings in the country.
For Mark, Mustangs have never simply been cars. They have been woven throughout the story of his life—from childhood drawings and family road trips to friendships, family traditions, and lifelong memories. More than sixty years after both he and the Mustang entered the world, the connection remains as strong as ever.
