Fox Mustang Magazine | Issue 6

FOX SALVAGE YARD

Issue 6 $5.95

FLASHBACK 150

ALL-NEW MILESTONE MUSTANG THE

MILLIONTH FORD

DIY

PERFORMANCE: STEERING & SUSPENSION REBUILD RESTO: CONSOLE REHAB • DASHPAD DYE

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Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 3

ISSUE 6

DEPARTMENTS 24

6 8 10 13 16

34

EDITORIAL YOU GOTTA SEE THIS #1 YOU GOTTA SEE THIS #2 THE MARTI REPORT ORIGINALITY

56

22 24 30 34 94

FOX NEWS EVENTS MUSTANG NATION NEW PRODUCTS FIX MY FOX

70

78 FOX SALVAGE YARD

Issue 6 $5.95

FLASHBACK 150

ALL-NEW MILESTONE MUSTANG THE

MILLIONTH FORD

DIY

PERFORMANCE: STEERING & SUSPENSION REBUILD RESTO: CONSOLE REHAB • DASHPAD DYE

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ON THE COVER 1979. It was the era of disco, Jimmy Carter, and spiking gasoline prices.

But not every story was bad. Ford’s new Mustang turned the corner on the Mustang II and set out in a new and very successful direction. The Mustang on our cover is part of the National Parts Depot collection.

Photography by Tom Shaw.

BIO

MUSTANG 44 MILESTONE NPD’s First-Year Fox is also the 150-millionth Ford

50 POSTER ’79 Mustang hatchback

FEATURES 24 FORD NATIONALS AT CARLISLE

78 VANILLA ICE 5.0

56 THE REFERRAL

80 SVO ON THE MOUNTAIN

70 RETIRED FROM DUTY

89 FOX GRAVEYARD

Welcome to the world’s biggest annual Ford party Mark Vasquez wasn’t shopping for this ’89 Saleen, but an influential friend suggested he take a look Mike Patterson’s authentically restored SSP Mustang preserves Michigan State Police history

PERFORMANCE

Vanilla Ice brings back cool A drive through Chattanooga and up Lookout Mountain in a hot ’84 SVO The Mustangs get put out to pasture

80

36 RACK RESURRECTION

Get your Mustang back on track with a little help from Latemodel Restoration

RESTORATION 52 DYEING FOR A BETTER DASH

Restore your early-Fox dashboard for $25!

62 CONSOLE RESTORATION

Rehab for the ’87-’93 go-between

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 5

FROM THE EDITOR

by TOM SHAW

THE FLASHBACK

T

here’s something really fun about stepping back in time, revisiting our old lives, old friends, outdated fashions, trendy haircuts, and bygone music. Back then, we looked a little better, shouldered a little less responsibility, chased fun a little harder.

Even so, it’s funny how almost no one would go back permanently unless they could take their wisdom and experience with them. Well, that’s kind of what we’re doing in this issue.

Nothing zaps you back in time like an old car. It’s fashion and function all rolled into one. On the cover is a ’79 Mustang, the first of the new generation of Mustangs that would grow to become more popular than Ford could have dared hope. The plain ol’ ’79 isn’t that dynamic by itself, just a simple, compact sport coupe with a very modest inline four-cylinder engine.

Few looked deep enough into its DNA to recognize the potential therein. Gazing at the modest ’79, you wouldn’t think that the reconstituted Mustang would soon ride waves of horsepower and style upgrades to become the hottest thing on wheels — the dominant hot rod of its day.

It was a transformation of miraculous proportions.

As a newly married with empty pockets, I visited my Ford dealer toying with the idea of splurging for a new ’81 Mustang. I wanted that V-8 with manual transmission, the recipe of so many classic Mustangs. But the one I test drove was de-cubed to 255 ci, rated at a pathetic 115 hp, and — even using all of my best techniques like tromping the gas pedal while simultaneously cutting the wheel hard right to pick up that right rear tire — it refused to so much as chirp the tire, never mind lay a patch. Needless to say, I didn’t buy.

But to go from those humble beginnings to the world-beating 5.0 H.O. GT and LX was a Clark Kent/Superman conversion.

The 5.0 GT and LX are greatness. The ’79 is greatness prior to greatness: It’s Plymouth Colony. It’s Coloma, California, in 1848. It’s James Page playing skiffle. It’s Chuck Norris as a white belt.

As we leaf through the “yearbook” and reminisce about the ’79’s outdated style, we can have fun shaking our heads over the slab-surfaced bucket seats, extensive use of plastic, old-style steel-belted whitewalls, carbureted 2.3 four-banger, non-overdrive three-speed automatic, and

general old-school flavor of this rare survivor ’79.

As the Mustang grew in power, more and more people came to recognize that it was something special. Special editions were created, and collectors and enthusiasts came to realize that the new Mustang would one day emerge as a legit collector car.

So let’s set our clock for a 1979 flashback, when:

• Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan were coming down the homestretch of election-year campaigns.

• Fuel injection was reserved for a few European exotics.

• Three Mile Island had a nuclear meltdown.

• Platform soles and leisure suits didn’t get laughed at.

Let’s remember that Apple was once a couple of wildeyed geeks laboring in a garage. David was a kid in a sheep pasture playing with a slingshot. Humble beginnings are so often the soil of great things to come.

We can keep the vintage flair or we can update with new stuff

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But fond automotive memories have one major advantage: We can keep as much of the vintage flair as we want, or we can update our vintage Mustang with new stuff: tires, air filters, engine, axle and suspension, you name it, that yields an improved driving experience without eroding the OEM look.

We walk that line here at FOX Mustang Magazine, believing that most readers probably want to restore and/or upgrade their car at least to some degree. I’m personally pretty big on originality, but why run an old paper air filter unless it brings you some show points? Why run soft rubber suspension bushings when black urethane bushings still give you the OEM look but with quicker steering response and better handling? Why stick with the stock exhaust when a larger pipe and better mufflers will last longer and make more power?

I guess you could call that a limited or conditional flashback.

But the idea’s the same — having fun with our old Mustangs and sharing them with others. That’s the high calling of a FMM collector car.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 7

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS >>> SMOKE ’EM IF YOU’VE GOT ’EM Duncan Treadwell gives ’em a taste of Ford power with a righteous smoky in his ’87 Mustang LX 5.0 convertible during the burnout contest at Carlisle’s Ford Nationals.

Photography by Ron Kuhn

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Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 9

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS >>> 18 CYLINDERS Part of the rollout of the new ’79 Mustang was this publicity shot of three key engines. Up front with the greatest “Wow” factor was the 2.3 turbo, rated at 131 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. Its performance wasn’t exactly breathtaking. Engine development still had some growth to do before hitting the sweet spot and transforming Mustang into the powerhouse, but it all started in 1979 with the 2.8 V-6 (left), the 2.3 turbo, and the 302 V-8 (right).

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Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 11

PUBLISHER CURT PATTERSON curt@pattersonpublishing.com EDITOR TOM SHAW tom@themustangmagazine.com MANAGING EDITOR BRANDON PATTERSON brandon@pattersonpublishing.com COPY EDITOR LAURA BURKE ART DIRECTOR PHILIP PIETRI CIRCULATION DIRECTOR JASON JACOBS jason@pattersonpublishing.com MUSTANG NATION / EVENTS DIRECTOR JASON JACOBS jason@pattersonpublishing.com WEB MARKETING BRANDON PATTERSON brandon@pattersonpublishing.com ADVERTISING SALES TEAM CURT PATTERSON JASON JACOBS BRANDON PATTERSON OFFICE MANAGER DEB PATTERSON COLUMNISTS MATT HIGHLEY KEVIN MARTI TERRY McCOY CONTRIBUTORS NELSON CARDADEIRO HUW EVANS BARRY KLUCZYK BEN O’BRIEN JAMES PRICE FOX Mustang Magazine is published monthly by Patterson Publishing, 4755 Drane Field Road, Suite 105, Lakeland, Florida 33811. Subscription Rates (monthly frequency): U.S. 12 issues $24.97; Canada add $15 per year for postage. All other countries add $25 per year for postage. U.S. Funds only. Allow 6-8 weeks for new subscriptions.

Send address change to FOX Mustang Magazine, Customer Service, P.O. Box 7517, Lakeland, Florida 33807. Customer Service (877) 279-3010.

Patterson Publishing, Lakeland, Florida Phone (863) 701-2707 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

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THE MARTI REPORT THE SALEEN STORY

S

o you want to make the Big Time? We’re all driven to be noticed — maybe it’s fame and notoriety, a sense of immortality, a desire to serve others. I thought we’d look at how someone started making the Big Time during the Fox-body era.

Here’s how the story didn’t start.

A guy calls Ford Motor Company’s main phone number. He says, “I want to build some special Mustangs.

Who do I talk to?” Immediately, the

When you reflect back on when you started your first restoration project, there were numerous hurdles and barriers. Perhaps it’s naïveté or youthful optimism that pushes us to strive for that Impossible Dream. It’s probably a blessing that we can’t see the future, else we might not attempt half of what we do if up front we knew all the poo we’d have to go through.

Steve received a Mustang that was just like any other. It had no special

order using the DSO system. DSO is a confusing acronym with Ford Motor Company because it can stand for several things. Always the context makes it clear what it means. In this case, Steve began using the DSO (Domestic Special Order) system to get Mustangs more in line with how he wanted to customize them. This typically included Articulated Sport Seats, paint stripes deleted, and radio deleted. The accompanying invoice

SALEEN FOX-BODY PRODUCTION FIGURES FROM SALEEN INC.* 1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

Coupe

0

0

0

1

25

20

8

4

0

1

Convertible

0

2

11

33

137

165

62

30

5

33

Hatchback

3

138

190

246

546

710

186

68

12

68

Total

3

140

201

280

708

895

256

102

17

102

operator connects him to Mr. Robert Rewey, who tells the guy it sounds like a great idea. Mr. Rewey then asks, “How many Mustangs do you need, and where do you want them delivered? Oh, and can Ford give you a big discount for being such a loyal customer and all-around swell guy?”

Here’s how it really started. Back in the early ’80s, Steve Saleen switched from driving Porsches to driving Mustangs. And he was driven to make performance Mustangs available to other enthusiasts. In early 1984, he went to a local Ford dealer and purchased a Mustang (I haven’t talked to him about it, but I’m willing to bet he paid retail).

seats, nothing was custom-fitted, and there were no deletions for items not required. Shortly thereafter, he ordered a couple more Mustangs.

When we start in the hobby, we don’t know the name of the guy at the parts house, and we don’t have the phone number of our favorite parts supplier memorized. We continue to be surprised and frustrated at how we have to buy another special tool to remove a part. With time, though, we learn the counter-guy’s name (and he starts offering us a 15 percent discount), and those specialty tools start coming in handy.

In 1985, production ramped up at Saleen along with the opportunity to

*Some of these statistics are different from the numbers shown in the Ford records.

I assume that Saleen did not always convert a Mustang ordered from Ford into a Saleen.

from an ’86 Mustang clearly shows these mods.

Any endeavor we pursue eventually leads to decisions that make or break us. When restoring a Mustang, we might decide to spend extra money to make it better or cut a corner to save time. When we serve another in business, these decisions become crucial to our success. In 1987, a friend of mine, Austin Craig, asked Steve to build him a Saleen coupe, which had not been done before. Steve agreed.

At the time, front fascias on Saleens were mounted with adhesive. It turned out that this adhesive was not suited for cold weather. Austin lived in Michigan. Driving home one day, he Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 13

Steve Saleen autographs a Mustang.

This invoice from an ’86 Mustang shows DSO mods such as Articulated Sport Seats, and deleted paint stripes and radio.

caught some snow that popped the fascia off the front and flung it some 20 feet. Austin had it reattached with fasteners and notified Steve.

Would Steve figure this was a onetime incident and let it slide? Would he investigate and make mods to production? This and thousands of other decisions make or break each of us as we strive for excellence or settle for mediocrity. Steve’s Saleen Mustangs began to employ fasteners for the fascia, which did cost him more — but not in the long run.

By 1988, Steve’s operation received enough notice within Ford that the Mustangs he ordered were assigned a code within the Vehicle Order Image. He received code S in column 31. But, a comical thing about the decoding books is that the code is listed as “Saline.”

More than once I’ve caught the look on Steve’s face as someone mispronounced his name. I’ve often heard it mispronounced as Say-Lean.

And obviously within Ford it was said that way enough that when the VOI system engineers were laying out his code, they spelled his name the way they heard it. Then the ’89 model year came along, and the decoding manuals still listed his eponymous vehicle as a synonym for brine.

Ouch — like rubbing salt in a wound.

Of course, a book can’t be judged by its cover, and Shakespeare opined a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. In the end, what matters isn’t the mispronounced name, but what these vehicles do on the street or at the track. This is why the Saleen name is well known (if not always pronounced correctly).

When you hit the show circuit and you’re carrying home your first trophy, or Tom Shaw says he wants to photograph your Fox for the magazine, those old and sometimes painful memories of working on your car come drifting back in. Interestingly, they get reinterpreted. Originally, there were four-letter words associated with the skinned knuckles. Now, you tell the story to your friends about the restoration and brag about the scars you received while conquering the beast. You’ve made the Big Time.

You’ve made the Big Time when your name is spelled and pronounced correctly. That’s Saleen (suh-lean) to you. So when you see him next time, say, “Hi, Mr. Suh-lean.” Or just say, “Hi, Steve.” He’s a friendly enough guy that he answers to that, too. After all, he made the Big Time.

FMM

Marti Auto Works produces The Marti Report and is licensed by Ford Motor Company with all of their ’67-later production records.

This information is available as various reports. Marti Auto Works also has original invoices for millions of Shelbys and Mustangs.

Visit www.martiauto.com or call (623) 935-2558. Email Kevin at kevin@martiauto.com. Not all emails will receive a response.

14 FOXMustangMagazine.com

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 15

ORIGINALITY

by TERRY McCOY

DEALER DOCUMENTATION e’re switching gears a bit in this issue, going from hardware to paperwork. Last month we focused on detailed pictures of the engine compartment exactly how it left the Dearborn Assembly Plant. A lot of enthusiasts purchased ’85 GTs knowing it was the last year for a factory-built, carbureted 5.0 engine. Ford was right on target when it built the ’85 GT 5.0 five-speed, up 35 horses from the previous year.

That leads me to what we’re

reflecting on this month — dealer documentation. No matter what year Mustang you’re into, each is unique with its own collector status. Dealer documentation is a big bonus. The better the documentation, generally the more the car is worth.

However, don’t let that be a deal breaker. If it’s the right car, original, with low mileage and a fair price, don’t let it slip by. You may not have another chance. Our Fox-bodies, especially low-mileage, unrestored,

original examples, are becoming rare and valuable. It’s not like you can go to a local car lot and easily find a great, low-mile Mustang.

Pictured are some of the many examples of dealer documentation.

You can start building a collection of documentation such as Marti Reports (now available for Fox Mustangs), owner’s manuals, supplements, sales brochures, dealer albums, interior decals, maintenance logs, and so on.

Original bill of sale from the selling Ford dealer

Drive-off tag from selling dealership — not an in-depth historical record but a nice trinket

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Certificate of Origin for a vehicle, better known as a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, or M.S.O. This is surrendered for a state title.

Line factory sheet which has various letter and number codes displayed to represent the options the car was built with. This is the master blueprint for a car, and one of the most valuable documents you can have.

Invoice showing two prices; one is MSRP and the smaller is what the dealership paid for it.

Original keys, factory key ID tags, original-selling Ford dealership key chain

Original credit-union loan document

Original holder and plastic bag for owner’s manual and supplements Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 17

Various binders of Ford dealership literature and Ford shop manuals.

These went to dealers and were not intended for the public.

Odometer mileage statement issued at new car purchase

Two cassette tapes were available for the 1985 year.

The tapes pictured here have never been opened.

Owner’s manual along with the supplements and warranty card

FMM

NEXT MONTH: Limited Edition Feature Cars Terry McCoy is a collector and researcher of Fox Mustangs, having owned and studied original low-mile and no-mile cars. He shares his knowledge exclusively in FOX Mustang Magazine.

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Stainless Steel

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 19

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Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 21

NEWS NEWS

FORD WINS INTERNATIONAL ENGINE OF THE YEAR A panel of motoring press journalists have voted Ford’s small but powerful 999cc three-cylinder turbo engine the best in the Under 1 Litre category, and best overall new engine. The engine is set to be released in the ’13 Fiesta. A Ferrari 4.5 V-8 won Best Performance engine, making just over half of the Shelby Beast’s 1,000 hp.

PONIES AND SNAKES SHOW One of the nicest Mustang events in the San Francisco area is the Bay Area Mustang Association’s annual Ponies and Snakes show at the Danville Mercantile and Livery. Its country-ranch–style ambience is a great setting, with many shops and restaurants nearby.

The show is for any year Mustang and Ford-powered Cobra, hence the name “Ponies and Snakes.”

Held this past June 3, there were 93 cars registered for the show, a good turnout especially considering a huge Goodguys show was being held in nearby Pleasanton.

This year’s show was judged and led by MCA Assistant National Head Judge Chuck Wiltens. Forty awards were handed out, and with so many high-caliber cars, picking winners was tough.

Brian Salgado’s ’93 Cobra features a numbered and serialized Roushbuilt 347R motor pumping out 430 hp, a 2-inch cowl hood, and 17-inch Cobra R wheels.

SCORED ON EBAY: SPIN THIS

Info: www.poniesandsnakes.com –Nelson Cardadeiro

Jesse Vigil showed off his black ’88 LX notchback. Numerous underhood power goodies have been added, topped off with a Trick Flow intake.

Rims are 17-inch, five-lug Bullitts.

We found this little 45 record on eBay and were curious about what might be on it. We haven’t played it yet, but it looks like music of some sort. The car appears to be around an ’85 model. The record label is done like a 10-hole wheel and slides into its own jacket, printed like a fender. This was probably a give-away to get people into showrooms. One of these days we’ll drag out the dusty turntable and give it a spin.

Got a cool Fox collectible? Send us a pic and a description. Let’s see what else is out there.

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Normally held on the last Sunday in June, this year’s show was moved up because of the MCA show being held in the Bay Area the same weekend.

It will go back to its normal date next year.

NEWS NEWS

BLUE MAGIC SUPREME WHEEL & TIRE KIT

Blue Magic is putting all the goodies you’ll need to give your wheels and tires a shiny makeover in one box. The Supreme Wheel & Tire Kit includes:

• 16-oz. spray gel cleaner with aerating sprayer • 4-oz. spray tire shine with ‘”no sling” formulation • liquid metal polish for brightening wheels • high-quality bristle brush with nylon bristles • microfiber towel

Blue Magic’s products can be found at all major auto-parts retailers.

WHAT STATES AND CITIES ARE MOST LIKELY TO WRITE YOU A TICKET? To quote the National Motorists Association (NMA), a motorists’ rights group that helps drivers fight traffic tickets, “Nothing says ‘Welcome to summer’ like an undeserved traffic ticket, especially when you’re traveling in another state.”

As a heads-up, the NMA has compiled a list of which states are the most likely to write you up. As an added bonus, this year the list also includes the Top 10 metro areas that write the most tickets.

The NMA says that the 25 states that crank out the most tickets have remained remarkably consistent from two years ago when its first list was issued — only Michigan dropped off (down to number 30), to be replaced by Virginia at number 22.

This may come as a great shock, but the NMA comments that, “This may point to a certain chronic reliance on ticketing to generate revenue for state and local coffers.”

So without further ado, here are the state rankings, followed by the list of ticket-happy cities, from most likely to ticket to least likely.

2012 TOP 10 METRO AREA RANKINGS

(RANKED FROM MOST LIKELY TO TICKET DRIVERS TO LEAST LIKELY

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10

City

Score

Atlanta Los Angeles Dallas-Fort Worth Miami New York Chicago District of Columbia Houston Orlando San Diego

74 72 62 59 57 52 50 47 39 34

Rank

State

Score

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9-Tie 9-Tie 9-Tie 12 13

Nevada Georgia Alabama Florida Maryland Louisiana Texas District of Columbia California North Carolina Missouri New York Mississippi

79 70 69 67 65 63 62 61 59 59 59 56 55

14 15-Tie 15-Tie 15-Tie 18 19-Tie 19-Tie 19-Tie 22 23 24-Tie 24-Tie

South Carolina Indiana Washington Tennessee Illinois Arizona Iowa Oklahoma Virginia New Jersey Ohio Kansas

54 51 51 51 50 49 49 49 48 47 45 45 FMM

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 23

SHOW COVERAGE & EVENTS

FORD NATIONALS AT CARLISLE Welcome to the world’s biggest annual Ford party

I

t’s the biggest and best Ford party in the known universe. For one weekend in June, over 3,000 Fords and Mustangs roll into the Carlisle Fairgrounds, followed by around 45,000 enthusiasts.

EVENTS NOVEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

11.18 | SARASOTA, FL PONIES UNDER THE PALMS MUSTANG AND FORD SHOW Elaine Lunkes 941.704.4474

1.12-1.13 | OCALA, FL FORD AND MUSTANG ROUNDUP Derek Putnam; 352.861.8701 x4207

2.16 | ORLANDO, FL FORD AND MUSTANG ROUNDUP

www.mustangclubofwestcentralflorida.org

24 FOXMustangMagazine.com

www.midfloridamustangclub.com

John Jones of the Fox-Body Feature Mustang club brought his triple-white ’93 Feature Mustang, and some fellow Feature Mustang owners.

From the swap meet to the show field to the special displays, Carlisle has consistently produced outstanding events, eclipsing the smaller club events and giving Ford enthusiasts a single place to gather and share the joy.

The one weak spot is that the only access to the fairgrounds is via a two-lane blacktop, which can get pretty backed up at peak periods of traffic, and there’s no backway in.

But once you’re in, you’re a part of something special. Fox Mustangs are making a bigger showing every year.

Regional clubs come together in sizeable displays. The swap meet at Carlisle is legendary. Big-block stuff for the old muscle cars still brings the biggest bucks, but Fox parts are common and still inexpensive. Serious shoppers should get there early, because the best parts and best deals are the first to go.

Friday brought some late rains, making a casualty of some drag racing, but overall, weather was very good, and attendees went home happy.

If you missed it, you missed something special. But don’t take it too hard. The Ford Nationals will be back next June in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with the best Ford party on the planet.

EVENTS MARCH

3.1-3.3 | BRADENTON, FL NMRA www.nmradigital.com

3.16 | PINELLAS PARK, FL MUSTANG & FORD POWERED ROUNDUP www.suncoastmustangclub.com

3.23 | BAYTOWN, TX FUN FORD WEEKEND

www.funfordweekend.com

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 25

SHOW COVERAGE & EVENTS

This clean, low-mile ’80(?) coupe was offered for $2,500.

Pay more and get more. This ’93 GT/five-speed, a 66,000mile Georgia car, was available for $7,500. It did not sell.

Hot rod to go. This built ’93 coupe, with a laundry list of goodies and fresh paint, was offered for $12,000.

26 FOXMustangMagazine.com

Brian Sams and Lisa Moxey own this extra-nice ’89 Florida Highway Patrol coupe. It chased law-breakers from June 1989 to February 1993. It’s still driven regularly.

FMM

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 27

Fox Mustang Restoration Thanks for helping us Save the Foxes!®

www.foxresto.com Fox Mustang Restoration is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of 1979-93 Mustangs. We have a passion for Fox-Bodies unlike anyone else in the business. This passion fuels our mission to provide quality parts at a great price.

We know that you are not just bolting parts on; you are bringing to life a part of history, a part of your history.

We know that somewhere along the way a fox-body grabbed a hold of you and never let go. We know that because we feel the same way.

We also know that it can be difficult to find all of the parts you need to get your ride back on the road and looking good.

To better serve you not only do we offer a complete line of quality reproduction parts we also have a large stock of NOS

Come see us at a show! We’d love to meet you!

Columbus Spring Swap - Columbus, OH, April 7-8, 2012 Charlotte AutoFair - Charlotte, NC April 12-14, 2012 Ford Nationals - Carlisle, PA June 1-3, 2012 Mustang Week - Myrtle Beach, SC July 20-21, 2012 Charlotte AutoFair - Charlotte, NC September 21-22, 2012 Foxtoberfest - Locust, NC, October 13, 2012 Columbus SuperSwap - Columbus, OH, November 24-25, 2012 28 FOXMustangMagazine.com

parts (New Old Stock – brand new, original Ford parts that are no longer available through Ford) as well as good used parts.

These additional resources are incredibly valuable when it comes to finding those pieces that are not being reproduced or are not reproduced to look the same as the original. Whether your vision is concours, modified, or just a nice driver we can help you find what you need.

When you make a purchase with us you are not only improving the look and feel of your Fox-Body, but you are also helping us fight the good fight to keep these cars on the road.

Thanks for helping us Save the Foxes!® Fox Mustang Restoration 105 Pine Forest Rd Locust, NC 28097 Near Charlotte, NC p: 704.888.1278 Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5 EST e: parts@foxresto.com w: www.foxresto.com

www.foxresto.com

1979-93 Fox-Body Mustang Parts

Weatherstrip

Lighting

1179003 79-93 Door Weatherstrip .......................... $15.99 1179001 79-93 Hard Top Window Run Channel LH $26.99 1179002 79-93 Hard Top Window Run Channel RH$26.99 1279002 79-93 Hatch Weatherstrip......................... $19.99 1187001 87-93 Exterior Dew Wipe Set ................... $34.99 1179005 79-86 Exterior Dew Wipe Set ................... $89.99 33830041 81-93 Hard Top Interior Dew Wipes ....... $59.99 41079001 79-93 Firewall to Hood Seal ................... $32.99 1783012 83-87 Conv Rear of Door Run Channel ... $39.99 1579002 79-93 Sunroof on Glass Weatherstrip ...... $24.99 1481006 81-88 T-Top Beaded Felt Weatherstrip..... $24.99 1783013 81-86 Conv Front of Door Run Channel ... $59.99

21287003 87-93 6 pc Stock Headlight Set .............. $89.99 21279007 79-93 Tag Light Lens ................................ $6.75 21287022 87-93 Stock Fog Light Assembly ............ $29.99 21287026 87-93 Headlight Weatherstrip Set ......... $19.99 21287034 87-93 14 pc Headlight Mounting Kit ....... $64.99 21287006 87-93 Ultra Clear Headlight Set ........... $149.99 21279005 79-86 Amber Parking/Marker Light ......... $17.99

Interior

Door Components 31079005 79-93 Hatch Lift Support..........................$16.99 31279021 79-93 Clutch or Brake Pedal Pads ............$6.99 3187006 87-93 Manual Shifter Bezel .......................$19.99 3179014 79-86 Automatic Shifter Seal .......................$6.99 3379005 79-93 Door Lock Actuator ......................... $23.99 3379002 79-93 Door Panel Retaining Push Pins ...... $6.99 3381001 81-93 Hard Top Window Guide Bushing .... $4.99 2479010 79-93 Exterior Door Handle Rivet Set ........ $1.99 3379015 79-93 Door Lock Actuator Rivet.................. $1.99 2479003 79-93 Exterior Black Door Handle Set...... $18.99 3379008 79-93 Black Door Handle Cup Set ........... $18.99 2479001 79-93 Door Hinge Pin Kit ............................ $7.50 3287010 79-93 OE Key Blanks ................................. $6.99 21187002 87-93 Complete Chrome Lock Set ......... $34.99 21187003 87-93 Complete Black Lock Set ............. $59.99 3382001 82-93 Door Tension Check Arms .............. $18.99 3383005 83-93 Door Lock Striker Bolt ...................... $9.99 3379004 79-93 Door Lock Striker Bushing................ $2.99 3383035 79-93 Door Jamb and Switch Boot Kit...... $35.99

Exterior

2679002 79-93 Chrome 5.0 Emblem ........................$7.99 22870021 87-93 Door Belt Molding Set ..................$54.99 2983001 83-93 Cowl Grill ........................................$59.99 2983003 83-93 Cowl Grill Nuts & Screws .................$8.50 2283099 83-93 Lower Windshield Molding Set .......$19.99 2187025 87-93 LX 10 pc Molding Kit ....................$294.99

From seat upholstery, to headliners, to carpet... We’ve got you “covered” Full Upholstery Sets starting at $299.99 Seat Foams starting at $118.99 Seat Belts starting at $194.99 Door Panel Sets starting at $329.99 Carpet starting at $129.99 Headliners starting at $169.99 Convertible Tops starting at $148.99 Need swatches to get that perfect match? Just ask!

704.888.1278

located near charlotte, nc Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 29

TRAVEL

MUSTANG NATION

A DIRECTORY FOR MUSTANGERS, BY MUSTANGERS MIDWEST EDITION Welcome to FOX Mustang Magazine’s regional directory of the Mustang world, which includes parts vendors, restoration and mechanical shops, shows and events, great diners and restaurants, roadside attractions, races, drive-ins, and just plain old neat things.

ANNUAL EVENTS 1

SHELBY SPRING FLING Nashville, IN May

2

ALL FORD CAR SHOW AND SWAP MEET Des Moines, IA June

3

4

BRANSON MUSTANG RALLY Branson, MO June

MUSTANG AND ALL FORD SHOW Grand Rapids, MI June

5

MUSTANG AND ALL FORD WEEKEND Sellersburg, IN June

6

MUSTANG AND FORD ROAD RALLY AND CAR SHOW West Chester, OH June

7

NMRA Milan, MI June

30 FOXMustangMagazine.com

8

RACE TO INDY ALL FORD SHOW AND SWAP

14

Bourbonnais, IL August

Indianapolis, IN June

9

SHOW AND GO

10

MCCI @ MID-AMERICA MOTORPLEX

11

15

ALL FORD CAR SHOW

16

MUSTANG & FORD SHOW

17

MUSTANG AND ALL FORD SHOW

Dearborn, MI June

Pacific Junction, IA July

Elyria, OH July

MUSTANG ROUND-UP AND ALL FORD CAR SHOW 19

NMRA/NMCA STREET LEGAL DRAG RACING Joliet, IL July

Elkhart, IN August

NMRA FORD EXPO Columbus, OH August

Alton, IL July

13

Springfield, MO August

Springfield, IL August

MUSTANG AND FORD SHOW 18

12

A DAY IN THE PARK

MUSTANG MEMORIES ALL FORD CAR SHOW AND SWAP Dearborn, MI August

50

MINNESOTA

39

46 32

47

72 1

MICHIGAN

77 1

WISCONSIN

63

48 40 57 42 44 74 1 27 24 58 13

51 2

14

10

ILLINOIS

53 76 1

70 1

1 61 28 22 41

MISSOURI

68 1

29

67 1

66 1

11

OHIO

78 1 8 31 1

1 60

34

69 1

17 1

73 12

16 1 49

INDIANA 65 1

37

71 1 55 62 30 59 7 1 54 19 26 9

45

IOWA

20 1

4

52 33 5

38

6 43

56

21 1

64 1

18

25 75 1

15 1 36 20

35 3 1

ALL FORD & MUSTANG CAR SHOW Birch Run, MI September

21

ATTRACTIONS 23

ALL MUSTANG CAR SHOW

Springfield, IL (217) 558-8844

Akron, OH September

22

MUSTANG & ALL FORD SHOW St. Louis, MO September

ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM

24

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO Chicago, IL (312) 443-3600

25

CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDENS Cincinnati, OH (800) 944-4776

26

FORD MOTOR CO.

27

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOME AND STUDIO

Dearborn, MI (800) 392-3673

Oak Park, IL (708) 848-1976

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 31

GATEWAY ARCH RIVERFRONT

39

29

HA HA TONKA STATE PARK

40

30

HENRY FORD MUSEUM

41

28

St. Louis, MO (877) 982-1410

31

CIATTI’S RISTORANTE

45

COMET CAFE

46

CONNELLY’S GOODY GOODY DINER

47

St. Cloud, MN (230) 257-7900

Camdenton, MO (573) 346-2986

Waverly, IA (319) 352-9170

Milwaukee, WI (414) 273-7677

Dearborn, MI (313) 982-6001

MARTIN’S BRANDENBURG

MICKEY’S DINING CAR St. Paul, MN (651) 698-0259

St. Louis, MO (314) 383-3333

OLD POST OFFICE RESTAURANT Ephraim, WI (920) 854-4034

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY Indianapolis, IN (800) 822-4639

32

MALL OF AMERICA

33

MARENGO CAVE

34

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

Bloomington, MN (952) 883-8800

Marengo, IN (888) 702-2837

Cleveland, OH (216) 781-7625

35

TITANIC MUSEUM Branson, MO (800) 381-7670

36

VETERANS MEMORIAL MUSEUM

HENRY FORD MUSEUM, Dearborn, MI

42

37

ARTHUR BRYANT’S BBQ Kansas City, MO (816) 231-1123

38

CAP CITY DINER Grandview, OH (614) 291-3663

32 FOXMustangMagazine.com

48

43

JIM DANDY’S FAMILY BBQ

49

LOU MITCHELL’S

50

SOUTH SIDE SODA SHOP Goshen, IN (574) 534-3790

Sharonville, OH (513) 771-4888

44

ROSIE’S DINER Rockford, MI (616) 866-3663

Chicago, IL (773) 506-1720

Branson, MO (417) 336-2300

RESTAURANTS

GLENN’S DINER

SYL’S CAFE

Ontonagon, MI (906) 884-2522

Chicago, IL (312) 939-3111

51

VERNON INN Cedar Rapids, IA (319) 366-7817

MUSTANG PARTS & SERVICE 52

AJE RACING N. Vernon, IN (800) 877-7233

53

54

DANA FORRESTER AUTOMOTIVE FINE ART Independence, MO (888) 755-8388

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM, Cleveland, OH

IDIDIT

MUSTANG RESTORATION SHOPS

Tecumseh, MI (517) 424-0577

55

63

INLINE TUBE

Shelby Township, MI (586) 582-1338

64 56

K.A.R. AUTO GROUP

KENNY BROWN PERFORMANCE

65

66

MONEYMAKER RACING

MRT

67

Plymouth, MI (734) 455-5807

60

Edwardsville, IL (800) 327-2897

61

62

68

69

DVS RESTORATIONS

73

MUSTANG CORRAL

ED MEYER HI-PO FORD PARTS & RESTORATION

74

MUSTANG RESTORATIONS

75

PAUL’S AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING

GOEBEL’S PERFORMANCE CORNER

MARION COUNTY MUSCLE CARS

70

MID AMERICA CLASSIC MUSTANG St. Charles, MO (636) 946-4444

MUSCLE CAR RESTORATIONS Chippewa Falls, WI (715) 834-2223

Edwardsville, IL (800) 327-2897

E. Dundee, IL (847) 428-9889

Cincinnati, OH (513) 791-1087

76

R&A MOTORSPORTS

77

SHELBY PARTS & RESTORATION

78

TOUCH-N-GO COLLISION AND RESTORATIONS

McCOART’S AUTO Somerset, IN (765) 981-4342

NATIONAL PARTS DEPOT Canton, MI (800) 521-6104

72

Salem, IL (618) 912-1032

MUSTANG MUSCLE High Ridge, MO (636) 677-9987

BUCKEYE AUTOMOTIVE RESTORATION

Evansville, IN (812) 897-2890

MUSTANG CORRAL

MROZ MUSTANG RESTORATION Redford, MI (313) 465-6307

Huntingburg, IN (812) 536-3673

La Porte, IN (219) 861-1214

59

71

Crawfordsville, IN (965) 361-1822

Rolling Meadows, IL (855) 847-4477

58

Juneau, WI (920) 696-3788

Berlin Center, OH (330) 997-0090

Columbus, OH (800) 341-5949

57

BOB PERKINS RESTORATIONS

CONNELLY’S GOODY GOODY DINER, St. Louis, MO

Lees Summit, MO (866) 409-3542

Green Bay, WI (920) 434-3645

Carmel, IN (317) 846-6718

FMM

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 33

NEW PARTS

PRODUCT SHOWCASE ’87-’93 EXTERIOR RENEWAL KIT Latemodel Restoration introduces its exterior renewal kit for hatchbacks and coupes. The kit contains all the weatherstrip and trim to replace the parts that weather and fade on Fox Mustangs.

Latemodel Restoration www.latemodelrestoration.com; (866) 507-3786

X302 CRATE ENGINE Ford Racing’s new X302 crate engine features forged pistons and high-performance aluminum heads, and is topped with Ford Racing polished aluminum valve covers.

Ford Racing www.fordracingparts.com; (800) 367-3788

STEALTH BLACK CERAMIC COATING Performance Coating’s new “Stealth Black” ceramic coating has a durable, heatproof, satin-black finish. It’s great for enhancing intake manifolds, exhaust manifolds, or suspension parts.

Performance Coating www.headercoatings.com; (770) 478-2775

REMANUFACTURED FORD 347 BLOCK Summit Racing’s remanufactured Ford 347 engine block has a 0.030-inch overbore and proper clearances for a 3.40-inch stroker crank and H-beam rods. The block is treated with a rust-preventative coating and finished in black.

Summit Racing www.summitracing.com; (800) 230-3030

34 FOXMustangMagazine.com

FMM

|| Satisfaction Guaranteed! || Exciting variety of interior & exterior styling upgrades! || Over 30 years of automotive manufacturing excellence. || Unrivalled quality, engineering & fit for 1979-1993 Fox Body Mustangs.

Call Toll-Free For a Dealer Near You:

1-855-372-5362 www.DrakeMusclecars.com

A Division of

130 CASSIA WAY • HENDERSON, NV • 89014

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 35

RACK RESURRECTION Get your Mustang back on track with a little help from Latemodel Restoration story and photography by Huw Evans

D

ue to the very task required of it, the Fox Mustang’s steering system is a common wear area.

Sway bar links loosen up, bushings become brittle and mangled, and the rack-and-pinion itself wears out, making the car drive like there’s a bowl of rice pudding turning the wheels instead of a steering box. And that’s not good.

Such was the case with our Oxford White ’86 GT hatchback. For over a decade, the car served as a daily driver.

Miles of potholed streets had taken their toll on the steering. After noticing mangled sway bar bushings, loose

36 FOXMustangMagazine.com

sway bar links, and a leaky steering rack, it was time for a rebuild.

A call went out to Latemodel Restoration, who sent a complete frontend rebuild kit (P/N LRS-3504A-KIT) for ’85-’93 5.0 Mustangs. It includes a remanufactured 15:1 power-steering rack (standard on ’83½-’93 5.0L cars), new outer tie rod ends, new sway bar links, plus polyurethane (instead of rubber) sway bar bushings, upper strut bushings and bumpstops, and a set of steering rack bushings.

For those lowering their ride height, Latemodel Restoration also stocks a

rebuild kit with offset steering rack bushings to prevent bumpsteer when lowering springs are installed (P/N LRS-3504B-KIT). The company also offers aftermarket power racks from AGR and Flaming River, and even manual 20:1 and quicker 15:1 ratio setups for drag racers.

Before ordering, measure your car’s front sway bar diameter to ensure getting the correct bushings.

Once our kit (affordably priced at $289.99) had arrived, it was time to break out the wrenches and get to work.

1

When possible, a hoist is preferred over jackstands to provide better access to the front-end components.

2

Unhook the negative battery cable. Remove the steering rack bolts and the dry-rotted rack bushings. Drop the assembly; then disconnect the steering shaft and tie rod ends.

3

Fox Mustangs with power steering have a high-pressure line and a return.

Have a catch can in place since the next task is to disconnect the power steering lines, releasing the old power steering fluid. Cracked or not, it’s a good idea to replace the lines since they hold old, dirty fluid that can contaminate your new steering rack and likely void your warranty.

4

Remove the cotter pins, castleated nuts, and then the tie rod ends from the spindles. Separate the tie rod ends with a “pickle fork” and a big hammer, or by unscrewing the nut until it’s flush with the top of the stud, then landing a few sharp blows with a hammer to knock it out.

FOX MUSTANG STEERING RATIOS AND SETUPS During the course of its production run, the Fox Mustang came with several different steering configurations, something to bear in mind if you’re planning a rebuild or upgrade, since not all parts are equal. The ’79-’83 Mustangs came with a 20:1 ratio steering system. This was offered as either manual or power assisted (the latter was a mandatory option on V-8 cars). It uses a variable ratio system with the gear teeth on the rack featuring varied angles and spacing. As the steering wheel is turned, the front wheels turn at an ever-steeper angle until they reach the stops. On V-8 cars, a quicker 15:1 constant ratio steering system was phased in halfway through the ’83 model year and remained until the end of production. It’s sometimes called a variable ratio system because the steering arms and tie rod ends move at different angles when the wheels are turned, but the gearing is constant. Four- and six-cylinder Mustangs continued to use the 20:1 variable system, though power steering was standard from 1985 onward.

If you plan on installing wider 225 section tires on a Mustang equipped with a 20:1 rack, you’ll need to install additional shims on the rack to prevent the tires from rubbing the inner fenders during cornering.

Also, if you plan on fitting a quicker 15:1 steering setup on a car that originally came with a 20:1 rack, you’ll need to change the pump if the car features power steering.

An earlier 20:1 pump will not work with the quicker rack, since it can’t supply enough fluid.

For 1990, Mustangs also received new tie rod ends with extended vertical threads where they attach to the spindle. These were introduced to reduce the risk of bumpsteer due to changes in the K-member and positioning of the lower control arms. As a result, if you plan on lowering your Mustang, besides installing offset rack bushings, these threaded sections can help compensate for changes in tie rod angle relative to the lower control arms, reducing steering wander when the car hits a bump.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 37

5

Disconnect the high-pressure line from the rack. You’ll probably need some penetrating oil to loosen it. Let the lube soak in for at least 5-10 minutes.

6

Use a bungee to tie the rack to the K-member, or have an assistant hold it as you wiggle it free. The idea is to prevent it from dropping like a rock once it’s free.

7

Once the old rack has been removed, remove the outer tie rod ends so you can access the align adjustment nuts (these will be reused). The nuts are essential to correctly set toe-in.

8

Remove the high-pressure fluid line from the old rack with an 11/16-inch wrench. One will hold the line; the other will loosen the nut. Clean all parts that will be reused, removing any rust, oil, grease, or other contaminants. Thoroughly flush the inside, too, to remove burned fluid metallic particles and other contaminants.

9

These little plastic washers, included with the kit, fit over the hose fittings to mate the old high-pressure line with the new steering rack.

They prevent fluid from leaking out once the line has been attached to the rack.

10

Next we install new rack bushings on the K-member. The polyurethane bushings supplied in the kit (right) are harder and more durable than the stock rubber pieces (left). That reduces deflection and gives you quicker steering response. If your Mustang is lowered, or if you plan to lower it, you’ll need to install offset rack bushings (popular sources include BBK Performance, Steeda, and Energy Suspension) to ensure the tie rod ends align with the lower control arms. Otherwise, they can move in different arcs, causing bumpsteer.

11

Because they generate a sizeable amount of friction, coat the new bushings with plenty of grease before installing them on the K-member.

There are four of them, two front and two back.

12

14

Once the rear bushings are in place, you can slide the new rack into place. When it comes to the front bushings, it’s a good idea to use a ball-peen hammer to seat them and ensure they’re nice and tight.

13

After the bushings have been checked, slide in the bolts that secure the steering rack to the car’s K-member. Tighten to the correct torque (use the specs in your service manual).

Here comes another fiddly bit. Trying to mate your shiny new steering rack to the car’s original steering shaft takes a bit of patience. In our case, utilizing an extra pair of hands and a prybar was necessary to get the two to link properly.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 39

15 With the rack in place, thread the tie rod lock nuts onto the shaft before attaching the tie rods. The LMR kit comes with new outer tie rod ends as well as cotter pins and bushings.

16

Installing the passenger-side tie rod end, we discovered the cotter pins supplied in the kit were actually too large to fit through the spindle holes, so we ended up using fresh ones from the spares box. Never reuse cotter pins.

18

We’ve installed the new rack and tie rod ends, but there’s still plenty to do, like replace those mangled sway bar bushings and end links. The LMR kit comes with new links and polyurethane bushings, not only for the sway bar but also the strut mounts and bumpstops. This should really help tighten up the handling.

40 FOXMustangMagazine.com

17

Now we grease the fittings prior to our first drive. Use plenty of grease.

Repeat the process on the driver’s side.

19

Starting with the sway bar, remove the four bolts (two on each bracket) that secure it to the frame, and remove the top link bolts at the sway bar ends.

20

To remove the worn, original sway bar bushings, pry open the brackets with a big, honkin’ screwdriver or equivalent.

22

Now that our sway bar is naked, so to speak, we use a rotary grinder to clean the dirt and corrosion from where it will contact the new bushings. This allows smooth movement and prevents noise, friction, and premature wear.

21

Factory sway bar bushings on Fox Mustangs are pure one-piece units, unlike many aftermarket replacements, meaning that they have to be cut to be removed.

23

LMR’s replacement polyurethane bushings come with precut splits for easy installation. Like the tie rods, make sure you coat the inside surface with plenty of grease to help prevent squeaking.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 41

24

Remove the old end links from the sway bar. You’ll need some penetrating oil, Vise-Grips, and a powerful driver like an impact gun, since the nut is likely a bit frozen. With the old links off, we grease the holes at the end of the bar before installing the new, kit-supplied sway bar links.

25

With the new bushings and links installed and greased, the sway bar can be reattached to the frame.

42 FOXMustangMagazine.com

26

There’s one last major task: Install the polyurethane strut bushings supplied in the kit. We’ll need to unbolt and remove each front strut, since the bushings and stoppers install at the top of the strut tower. The lower control arms are supported with jackstands to prevent the arms from flopping and releasing the springs. Leave this step to the pros if you’re not sure how to do it safely.

27

While installing the bushings, we discovered that the upper mount bushings fit fine, but the replacement bumpstops didn’t clear the original factory strut cover sleeves. Our original rubber bumpstops were still in reasonably good condition, so we reused them.

28

29

Once both front struts were reinstalled, we had a noticeable toe-out situation, needing several turns on the passenger side to make the car able to drive to an alignment shop. This was followed by refilling the power steering system with fresh fluid.

Our last task was the alignment. Don’t cut corners on this critical step. Choose a shop that’s close by, preferably one with highly trained technicians and quality equipment.

30

Ready for the road. Our trusty ’86 was noticeably tighter through the corners and more confidence-inspiring. Total cost, including alignment, was approximately $350 — well worth it.

FMM

SOURCES LATEMODEL RESTORATION 400 Jan Dr. | Hewitt, TX 76643 (866) 507-3786 www.latemodelrestoration.com

DASILVA RACING 960 Brock Rd. | Pickering, ON L1W 2A1 | Canada (905) 837-7700 www.mustangtoystore.com

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 43

FOX MUSTANG

MILESTONE MUSTANG

NPD’S FIRST-YEAR FOX IS ALSO THE 150-MILLIONTH FORD

story and photography by Tom Shaw

I

t was a judgment call choosing which car line — Fairmont, Thunderbird, Granada, LTD — to assign the honor of producing the 150-millionth Ford built. Running tallies showed that the milestone would be reached during the ’79 model year, but with dozens of assembly plants each producing dozens of cars per hour, picking the actual 150-millionth unit was virtually impossible. Do you count prototypes and unsolds, incompletes and crash tests, and

44 FOXMustangMagazine.com

pilot cars? The point is that there are numerous ways to wrangle the numbers and arrive at the one you want. So Ford could have reasonably steered the 150-millionth-car attention to any of its lines.

Choosing the Mustang as the line for the hoopla meant that the corporation believed in its new model.

It made perfect sense from the company standpoint.

Mustang was brand new for 1979 and coming off a

William Clay Ford, Henry Ford II, and Philip Caldwell sign the hood of this ’79 Mustang, recognizing it as the 150-millionth Ford built worldwide. design that didn’t exactly set the world on fire. Given the right car at the right time, the ponycar segment could be a huge seller, and with rival Camaro riding its aging design for a couple more years, Mustang looked that much more fresh and exciting by comparison. In the ponycar market, the newest entry attracted the greatest sales. Chumming the waters with marketing and promotion just made sense.

The date arrived on December 14, 1978 — still early in the model year — as the Detroit’s Rouge Plant, a.k.a.

Dearborn Assembly, put together

a modest Bright Yellow hatchback, powered by the basic Y-code 2.3-liter four-banger and automatic transmission. This would be the 150-millionth Ford. Two members of the Ford family, William Clay and Henry II, along with Vice Chairman and President Philip Caldwell, were on hand for the big doings. All three autographed the car on the passenger’s side of the hood.

The publicity, distributed to newspapers, trades, and enthusiast magazines, touted Ford as an automaker of highest volume and great demand, and brought its new

Mustang into the spotlight. It was the right move, as this Mustang, even in the midst of a slow economy and climbing gasoline prices, closed the year with production of 369,936, highest of all Fox Mustang models.

After its exposure as a production milestone, the car was sold to Floyd Moore, a prominent collector based in Chicago. Floyd was well connected with Ford, and through that pipeline acquired many specialty and historic cars. It resided with Floyd for many years, but he was getting older, and his sons didn’t share his interest in old cars.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 45

FOX MUSTANG

SPECIFICATIONS SUSPENSION

PRODUCTION ’79 Mustangs

369,936

61R Mustang hatchback

120,535

DIMENSIONS Wheelbase (inches)

100.4

Overall length (inches)

179.1

Overall width (inches)

67.4

Overall height (inches)

51.4

Tread, front/rear (inches)

56.6/57.0

Curb weight (pounds)

2,635

Base price

$4,828

ENGINE Type

Inline 4-cylinder, OHC, thin-wall iron block/head

Bore and Stroke (inches)

3.80 x 3.10

Displacement (liters/cubic inches)

2.3/140

Compression ratio

9.0:1

Horsepower

88 @ 4800 rpm

Torque

118 @ 2800 rpm

Induction

Motorcraft 2V carburetor

Camshaft

belt-driven OHC, hydraulic

Rods

forged steel

Exhaust

Single w/catalytic convertors

46 FOXMustangMagazine.com

Front Suspension

MacPherson strut w/coil spring on lower control arm

Rear Suspension

Live axle, 4-link, coil springs

Steering

Rack/pinion

Manual Steering Ratio (variable, center/stops)

24.93:1/21.69

Power Steering Ratio (variable, center/stops)

20.03:1/16.05

Brakes

manual front disc/rear drum

Tires

BFGoodrich CR78-14 Lifesaver steel belted radials

DRIVETRAIN Transmission

manual (standard) 4-speed optional 4-speed Overdrive optional automatic

Axle

Solid

Ratio

w/manual transmission 2.73:1 w/automatic transmission 3.08:1

FEATURES

First of the four-eyes, part of a Euro-influence restyle

William Clay Ford’s signature

Coupe and hatchback, carry-over strategy from 1978

Philip Caldwell’s signature

Sporty metal-spoke steering wheel remained a popular option

Henry Ford II’s signature

Standard engine, 2.3 I-4 with 2V carburetor

The blue printed sticker in the doorjamb, first used in 1970, records the car’s colors and basic equipment.

Center stack has a new warning monitor.

High-tech for its day

Door panels were molded plastic. Latch handle near floor was unhandy and was raised for 1980 Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 47

Rick Schmidt, of National Parts Depot, picks up the story from there: “My dad was reading Hemmings back in the mid-’90s and came across a classified ad for a ’77 Thunderbird, ‘VIN 00001.’ This caught his interest, knowing that VIN 1 cars rarely made it into public hands. He called about the T-bird, discussed the car with the seller, and eventually agreed to purchase it sight-unseen. At that point, my dad and the seller began to swap personal information.

The seller introduced himself as Floyd Moore. My father replied, ‘Floyd Moore? Of the Chicagoland CTCI [Classic Thunderbird Club International]? This is Jim Schmidt, CTCI of northern Ohio!’

“It turned out that Floyd and my father knew each other back in the ’60s, as their respective CTCI club chapters participated in many events together.”

Once they realized they knew each other from way back, Floyd began to offer Jim some of the other cars he had, this Mustang being one of them.

48 FOXMustangMagazine.com

Today it’s part of the National Parts Depot collection and shows only 846 miles, not even broken in yet. Having been stored indoors its whole life, it remains about as original an example of a first-year Fox as exists. It has some equipment, but it isn’t a rolling option catalog. The engine is the base 2.3 inline 4, with power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning. Wheels are stamped steel, with plastic turbine wheel covers. Tires are BFGoodrich CR78-14 Lifesaver steel-belted radial whitewalls. Inside, there’s an AM radio, Sport steering wheel, and console with Graphic Warning Module. The starting-instructions card is still on the visor.

Under the hood are all the original assembly-line service parts: Motorcraft stamped-logo fan belts; Duraspark plug wires; paper stickers on the engine and fenderwells; and original plating, grease-pencil marks, and color codes all over the place. It’s a candy store of originality. It drives and operates, and was driven for this photo shoot.

FMM

1979 MUSTANG HATCHBACK 150 Millionth Ford

Owners: Jim and Rick Schmidt / National Parts Depot Collection photography by Tom Shaw 50 FOXMustangMagazine.com

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 51

DYEIN FOR A BETTER DASH RESTORE YOUR EARLY-FOX DASHBOARD FOR $25!

I

story and photography by Barry Kluczyk

t’s one of the most common maladies of ’79-’86 Fox cars — unsightly dashboard pads.

If you’re lucky, your Mustang only has a weathered, faded dashpad. Because of their extreme brittleness, other all-too-common afflictions of the pads include cracking and splitting, particularly around the speaker grilles. And let’s not even bring up the times we’ve ruined an original pad by cleaning the dash and inadvertently pushing through a speaker grille.

Thankfully, the original dashpad on our black ’86 GT convertible project car survived more than a quarter-century without physical damage, but the sun wasn’t kind to its charcoal finish. Faded and blotched, it looked really bad in our otherwise great-shape drop-top.

Although there are reproduction dashpads (see sidebar), we knew that a little elbow grease, some vinyl dye, and careful preparation could renew our faded pad.

Vinyl dye is available in just about every early-Fox Mustang dashboard color, from just about every restoration supply company. A single can is more than enough for the dashpad and will run about $15. Another can of preparation spray is recommended, too, for about another $10, so the entire outlay is a measly $25. The restored, original dashpad looks better than terrific; it looks brand new.

A note of caution, though. The old vinyl covering gets stiff and brittle. Keep this in mind during removal and handling.

In other words, go slowly and gently. The pad also must be absolutely cleansed of any dirt and oils, such as years and years of Armor All or, like ours, cigarette residue. As with any paint job, the dye won’t adhere without a clean surface, and that’s where the preparation spray comes in. It will help clean the pad to really lift off the ingrained grime.

The investment in materials and time were low, but the return in appearance was very high. Not bad for $25 and a couple of hours’ work!

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NG 1

After 26 years, the dashpad on our ’86 GT convertible was faded and blotchy. And the gummy feel of it gave us the distinct impression that a previous driver smoked more than a small-block Chevy. But, with no splits or crack in the pad, it was definitely worth saving.

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First, the pad must be removed, beginning with the visible screws that also attach the instrument panel cover.

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At the top of the dashpad is a pair of screws in each defroster vent. Because of the rake of the windshield, they can be a little tricky to reach and will easily drop into the vents. We held a 99-cent extendable magnetic pick-up tool to the screws as they came out. We didn’t lose a single screw to the vents this way.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 53

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With all visible screws removed, pull off the instrument panel cover, revealing a couple more attaching screws.

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After all screws were removed, we carefully lifted up the pad to release it from its quarter-century resting place. These old pads were delicate, so patience was required when removing ours. It doesn’t take much pressure to remove it — or damage it.

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Can you stand one more photo of funk? This is a close-up of the driver-side front corner of the original pad. It’s grimy, faded, and blotched.

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8 Here’s the $25 in materials we invested in our restoration: a can of prep spray and a can of charcoal-color vinyl dye.

The prep is a must for getting out deep grime and cigarette goo.

10

Apply the dye like spray-painting.

Use a very light touch at first, misting the pad to get a feel for the way it covers. Then apply a heavier coat.

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A couple of sawhorses make an excellent platform on which to work. This view really shows how gross the pad got over the years. It looked terrible, but again, it wasn’t split or cracked.

After first cleaning the pad thoroughly with standard cleaners, we used the prep spray to remove the grime that lurked deep in the grain texture. A second can of prep would have been a good idea.

After letting the first coat of dye soak in and dry for a while, we applied a second coat. At this point the pad was completely covered, and we followed up with a few extra coats at the corners to ensure adequate coverage in those hard-tosee areas. We used about 90 percent of the can of dye during the job.

12 Finished and dried, the dashpad looks remarkably better than when we started.

The dye covered the darker blotches on the dash but didn’t fill in the pad’s grain pattern. The smooth, even appearance looks first-class, too.

13

After allowing the pad to dry outdoors for a couple of hours, it was ready to be handled, and we simply popped the pad back on to the dashboard.

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Reinstallation of the pad was the reverse of removal, including sliding the instrument panel cover back into place and screwing it down, which was the final step in our project.

15

The results — it looks like new, and required only $25 in materials, an afternoon’s time, and a couple of screwdrivers.

SPEAKER UPGRADE FOR THE ORIGINAL AUDIO SYSTEM After 26 years of rock, rap, and country buzzing through their cones, the original, tinny front speakers in our ’86 GT convertible were ready for the heave-ho. And this was the Premium sound system for 1986!

While our dashpad was off, it was a perfect time to replace the stock 3.5-inch speakers with some off-the-shelf, 30-watt Rockford Fosgate speakers we

picked up at Best Buy. They dropped right in to the stock speaker holes, requiring only a few minutes for installation.

The difference in sound quality was night and day, and it didn’t require hacking up any original parts. They’re not on par with the amped-up system of a new ’Stang, but our old Van Halen tapes have never sounded better.

Trick tip of the month. Because the rake of the windshield makes it almost impossible to access the A couple of 3.5-inch, 30-watt forward screw heads of the speakers, we improvised Rockford Fosgate speakers were by using a pair of pliers to hold a Phillips-head just the ticket for our worn-out, screwdriver bit for a nut-driver. The low-profile setup tinny-sounding original “Premium” was just right for the job. Grip those pliers tight, and front speakers. keep that magnetic wand handy.

The rear screws of the speakers are easily accessible with a small driver. The new speakers simply drop in the place of the originals and are covered by the dashpad. There’s no outward giveaway to the new speakers (we even pulled off the chrome tips seen in this photo), but you can expect a major improvement in sound FMM quality.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 55

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THEREFERR

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Mark Vasquez wasn’t shopping for this ’89 Saleen, but an influential friend suggested he take a look

story and photography by Nelson Cardadeiro

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 57

THEREFERR

hen your buddy who owns a Boss 429 tells you there’s a Mustang you have to see, your ears perk up and you follow orders.

So Mark Vasquez of Stockton, California, listened when Mark Johnstad told him to take a look at a Saleen Mustang that he spotted at a Ford dealership in nearby Oakdale.

This was back in November 1997. Mr. Johnstad knew that Mark had been looking in vain for a ’93 Cobra, but he also knew that at Haidlen Ford, the owner’s son had decided to sell his ’89 Saleen. Erich Haidlen had used the car as his daily driver during his senior year at the University of California, Irvine. He had purchased it a few years earlier when he found No. 571 of the ’89 model year in the Autoweek classifieds for sale in Atlanta. By now, though, it was time to move on and ready the hatchback for its third owner.

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This wasn’t just any Saleen; this one had a Vortech supercharger installed by the original selling dealer. That definitely got Mark’s attention. It also didn’t hurt that it had just 25,600 miles and was in perfect condition. Then came the test drive. “After driving it, there was no looking at another car,” Mark says.

Though Mark has numerous vintage Mustangs in his stable and wanted an SVT Fox-body Cobra, back in 1997 he wasn’t really in tune with Saleen Mustangs. “I had no idea what Steve Saleen had done to the Mustang,” Mark says. “It held the road like no other car I had driven to that point.” Steve Saleen, who raced in the SCCA TransAm series, had taken his roadracing experience and directed his knowledge toward making the 5.0 Mustang a fearsome, track-worthy street car. Instead of modifying the engine and be subject to expensive and time-

L

consuming tests for emission, fuel consumption, and warranty standards, Saleen concentrated on aerodynamics, brakes, chassis, and suspension.

This formula worked for Saleen as it enabled him to sell his “tuned” Mustangs through Ford dealers with a Ford warranty still intact. Where it hurt was with the automotive press, which didn’t understand the cars’ higher price tag yet would do worse in acceleration trials than their bone-stock counterparts since they weighed a little more.

Obviously Mark’s Saleen had that problem corrected with the Vortech supercharger with a 10psi pulley. This would make the rare hatch rise up on its hind legs and head for the open road. “It’s kind of scary,” Mark admits. “You can’t really use First gear. You can’t shift fast enough.”

At first glance the areo-nose Saleens look very similar, but in 1989 a few changes were made.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 59

THEREFERR

Of all the Fox-era Saleens built, 1989 had the highest production with 895. The only other year close to that is 1988 with 708 manufactured. All other Fox-based Saleens are in the 200s or below.

1989 PRODUCTION

BY BODY STYLE Coupe

20

Hatchback

549

Hatchback SSC

161

Convertible

165

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The windshield band, decklid graphic, accent stripes, and dash emblem were new. Also, the Saleen Autosport edition urethane rear valance was revised for the model year.

Today, this Bright Red Saleen with silver accents has just 29,300 miles and is mostly original. Obviously the serpentine belt and upper radiator hose were changed by the original dealer during the supercharger installation, but everything else is factory correct. Mark even swapped in the correct Pioneer DEH-55 CD player to replace the Sony unit that Erich had installed.

The interior is decked out in gray and sports the Flofit sport seats with adjustable lumbar support and matching rear seat and door panels. And, like many of the vintage Shelbys that now have

Carroll’s signature, this Saleen has the not–concours-correct signature of its builder, Steve Saleen, above the glovebox door.

There are some drawbacks to having an original vehicle. In this case, it’s the tires. The original 225/50VR16 General XP2000Vs are still wrapped around the optional silver mesh Saleen Autosport/American Racing wheels. Mark is hesitant to take the car on any long journeys because of this but is reluctant to buy a new set of tires or a spare set of rims/tires.

The last long trip he took the Saleen on was back in August 2009 when he drove from Stockton to Van Nuys, California, to enter the Mustang Club of America National Show at the Airtel Plaza. In its only MCA

appearance, the Saleen raced home with a Silver award in the Unrestored category. It has also done fairly well at other local shows in the Central Valley.

Another negative, in Mark’s eyes, is the higher production of the Saleen in 1989. Saleen built 895 that year, so if Mark had to sell one of his Mustangs, which includes a ’70 Boss 302 and a ’66 K-code GT coupe, this Saleen would be the first to go.

“They built so many that year,” Mark says. “Maybe I would think differently if Steve had stayed with Saleen and not sold it.”

Though Mark didn’t get his Cobra — at least not yet — by being open minded and listening to his performance buddy, he brought home a serious performer. Now how about a grudge match with that Boss 9?

FMM

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 61

CONSOLE RESTORATION Rehab for the ’87-’93 go-between

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et’s face it; the interiors in our beloved Fox Mustangs weren’t terribly sturdy. Made of mostly plastic, they were plagued with plenty of issues, like the notorious ashtray lid and armrest pads that blow out. In our shop we have a very clean, 60,000-mile ’92 SSP sergeant’s coupe that proves that even well-maintained Mustangs are not immune to these issues.

In this article we’ll tackle all of the common issues with the ’87-’93 center consoles with a console restoration kit ($174.99) from Fox Mustang Restoration, P/N 3187100.

This kit includes the ashtray repair kit, new ashtray, ashtray lid, e-brake seal, armrest pad and trim panel, shifter bezel,

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Start by removing the console armrest assembly. Use the flat-head screwdriver to slide underneath the oval access plug, and pop it out. Repeat on the other side.

3

With the armrest now loose, tilt the whole assembly back toward the rear seat.

Be careful to not pull the assembly out before making sure the two locking tabs in back, and on the bottom, have been disengaged. Set the assembly aside. We will finish the work on this on a workbench.

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story and photography by Matt Highley a pair of the round and oval console access plugs, and a complete hardware kit. There are no special tools required for this project, just a basic Phillips and flat screwdriver; 7mm, 8mm, and 10mm sockets; paint pen or marker; side cutters; Super Glue gel; and a good solvent cleaner.

One thing to keep in mind is that the plastic interiors in our Fox-bodies have a tendency to discolor and fade over time. Matt at Fox Mustang Restoration recommends having some original color dye for your interior color to freshen up the console while you have it out. We will show you how to completely remove your console even though it is not necessary for this project.

2

Under each oval access plug you will find two bolts. Use an 8mm socket to remove both bolts per side.

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Now we move to the front of the console. There are no locking screws or retainers on the T-handle. To remove the shifter handle, grab the handle, depress the button, and yank up. It may take several tries because the handle is on very tight. The button is spring loaded in the handle, so be sure to not lose it. On a five-speed shifter, just unscrew the knob.

5

The shifter bezel will just pop up. There are retaining clips at each corner, so you will have to use a little upward pressure to break it loose. The five-speed bezel comes off the same way, but the shift boot will be attached.

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Before the tray can be completely removed, unplug the cigarette lighter and mirror switch wiring. Place the tray and armrest assembly (removed earlier) on the bench, to be restored.

9

The console is held to the dash with two screws on each side. On the passenger side, open the glovebox and squeeze the two sides together, allowing the glovebox to drop down out of the way. Now you have access to remove the two passenger side screws.

6

At this point we have exposed the four mounting screws that will allow us to remove the e-brake/coin tray. There are two in the front and two in the back.

Once the screws are removed, pull up the e-brake handle and remove the tray.

8

If you’re not going to re-dye your console, then this concludes disassembly. If you’ll be re-dying, then we’ll continue with removal of the whole console. The shift indicator assembly will need to be removed. It has four Torx T-15 screws that need to be removed. Then lift the assembly off the shifter handle. Unplug the two-wire plug.

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On the driver side, remove the two screws holding the steering column shroud.

Remove it and set it aside.

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Now move to the bottom of the dash, and remove the two 10mm bolts on the hood release cable. Next, remove the three 8mm bolts on the lower dash cover.

To completely remove this piece you will need to pull it directly toward the rear of the car. Do not twist, pry, or bend — the plastic mounting tabs break very easily.

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Sometimes these screws can be extremely tight, so I use an impact driver to break them loose. It won’t strip the screws and does a great job of breaking loose stubborn screws. On some years, Ford used a 7mm head screw instead of the Phillips.

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To repair the ashtray spring part of the tray, first trim the arm that the spring attaches to. Trim it at the line shown. Use the side cutter to cut a straight line.

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Behind the plastic cover is the metal bracket. There are two more 8mm bolts holding this piece on. Once removed, the last two screws holding the console to the dash are exposed. This is for a ’90-’93 version. On the ’87-’89s, just pop out two panels to access the two driver-side screws.

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There are just two more Phillips-head screws left. They are toward the rear of the console. Once removed, tilt the rear of the console up and remove it.

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Use the Super Glue gel to glue the new arm provided in the repair kit onto the stump. Let the gel fully dry.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 65

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Remove the old ashtray lid and install the new lid. It goes in from the bottom of the tray.

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Close the ashtray lid, compress the spring, and insert the other end of the spring in the repaired arm.

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Use the Super Glue gel to glue the new seal to the tray. The gel doesn’t run and make a mess like the standard, runny Super Glue. Install the old retainer with the new push clips on the remaining, unmelted studs.

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Install the spring into the lid arm with the lid in the open position. Slip the end of the spring that has the two 90 degree bends in the lid.

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Ford retained the seal by melting over most of the plastic studs, which usually break off. But they didn’t melt them all. To install the new rubber e-brake seal, completely remove the old seal and retainer. Clean the surface of the tray with a good cleaning solvent like lacquer thinner. Make sure to save the seal’s retainer.

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Let’s move on to the armrest assembly. Remove the four screws holding on the old armrest pad and trim panel. When reinstalling the new pad, make sure the hinge is sandwiched between the trim panel and pad as shown. Install all four screws, but do not tighten them yet. There is a small amount of adjustment in the pad. Test it by closing and latching the lid. Once you’re satisfied with the fit, tighten the screws.

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Swap the rubber insert from the old shifter bezel to the new one. Install new retaining clips on the new bezel.

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Install all new hardware provided with the kit.

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The new ashtray just drops into place.

When installing the armrest assembly, line up the locking tabs, then allow it to drop forward. Install the four new 8mm bolts. The oval and round access plugs snap into place.

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Make sure to depress the button on the shifter T-handle before installation. The handle will snap into place. Install the shifter bezel.

Now you can sit back and admire the fruit of your labor.

SOURCE FOX MUSTANG RESTORATION

105 Pine Forest Dr. | Locust, NC 28097 | (704) 888-1278 www.foxresto.com 68 FOXMustangMagazine.com

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Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 69

Retired From Duty Mike Patterson’s authentically restored SSP Mustang preserves Michigan State Police history story and photography by Barry Kluczyk

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Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 71

hile other states bought Special Service Package (SSP) Fox Mustangs by the hundreds, the Michigan State Police (MSP) — home state of Ford Motor Company, Motor City, and Woodward Avenue — commissioned only 34. Fourteen hit the Wolverine State highways in 1989, followed by 20 more in 1992. And that was it, although in 1991 the agency experimented with a pair of Camaro B4C police cars (see sidebar).

In the late ’80s, the MSP cruiser of choice was the stalwart Chevy Caprice 9C1, but the department launched a years-long experiment with higher-performance patrol cars. Factory performance was on the upswing again in Detroit, and while the Caprice was rock-solid in reliability and delivered respectable performance, its sub-200hp output was outgunned by turbo Buicks, TPI-fed Corvettes, IROC-Z Camaros, and lightweight Fox Mustangs with 225hp 5.0s.

The MSP Mustangs represented a radical departure for an agency long on tradition, especially when it came to their full-size sedans. And the state troopers weren’t about

to forsake that tradition for performance. Their vehicle models have changed with the times, but they’ve almost always incorporated visual cues that are among the most unique in the nation, including:

• An MSP-specific (special order) blue exterior color

that’s been used since 1956

• Door shield graphics that have remained unchanged since 1956 • A red “gumball”-style roof light exclusive to MSP cars, making them instantly identifiable from a distance and which they still incorporate today, albeit with LEDs replacing the revolving bulbs • A lighted, hood-mounted “stop” sign known as the “shark fin” that predates modern roof lights and was originally developed to provide an indicator for motorists to pull over. When the MSP pulled alongside your car and the stop sign lit up, you pulled over.

MSP’s Pair of Pony Cars At the Michigan State Police’s training academy just outside of Lansing, a small fleet of historical state police cruisers greets visitors. It includes a ’92 Mustang, a ’91 Camaro B4C, a ’95 Caprice 9C1, a ’75 Plymouth, and even a ’37 Ford that shows an early version of the “shark fin” hood sign.

While all of them represent significant eras in the agency’s patrol history, the Mustang and Camaro get the most attention. The Mustang has less than 60,000 miles and has been cosmetically maintained, although it is admittedly a few details shy of the stunning condition on the privately held example in our main story.

We couldn’t find a definitive answer why only a pair of Camaros were purchased, although a logical explanation was to simply explore their performance potential, even if their lower-slung bodywork and almost useless rear cargo area made them less fit for daily duty when compared with the Mustangs.

Both of the MSP’s pony cars serve as fourwheeled ambassadors for the agency, making appearances at car shows, county fairs, and other events.

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Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 73

21Century st

Gumball

The Michigan State Police are updating their old-school “gumball” roof lights but not eliminating them. If they look like remnants from a ’70s’ trucker chase movie, they are — sort of. Some are nearly 30 years old, and all are based on the basic design that dates back more than 50 years.

“They’re bright, and everybody in the state recognizes them,” says Sgt. Matt Rogers of the Michigan State Police. “You can see one from a mile away.”

Unfortunately, the old-school technology is getting harder to maintain. Parts for the units are difficult to come by, and the lighting elements themselves require a lot of maintenance.

“The bulbs are actually aircraft landing lights,” says Sgt. Rogers. “They use a lot of energy and have to be replaced constantly. A busy trooper might replace the bulbs once a week.”

Rather than scrap the traditional and recognizable roof lights, MSP is giving them a hightech makeover, replacing the revolving bulbs with super-bright LED elements. They use only about a tenth of the power of the bulbs and last infinitely longer. They’re bright enough to require day and night settings.

So, the Crown Vics are headed out to pasture, and the roof lights are receiving a 21st-century upgrade, but another MSP cue — the sharkfin hood signs — are here to stay. Tradition evolves, but doesn’t completely change.

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The agency’s SSP Mustangs matched those cues, except for the large roof light, which was too big for the compact Mustang. The same case could have been made for the shark-fin hood sign, but on it went (the Camaros had neither the roof light nor the shark fin).

Interestingly, although Ford was able to handle the special-order, MSP-specific exterior color for the steel parts of the body, the company apparently wasn’t able to do it for the plastic bumper covers. So the cars were delivered — and went into service with — dark blue bumpers.

With only 34 built, finding an authentic MSP Mustang is rare. A handful of restored examples exist, and you’re looking at one of the best on these pages. It’s one of the 20 ’92 cars, owned by Detroit-area SSP enthusiast Mike Patterson, and it shares garage space with his restored Missouri Highway Patrol Mustang. Truth be told, however, Mike wasn’t responsible for the car’s meticulous restoration.

That was done by Bruce Howard, who sold him the car. The

With only 34 built, finding an authentic MSP Mustang is rare.

SSP Mustang is a tight community, and the cars often trade hands like that without going “public.”

Bruce traced the car’s history from the MSP, which was helpful throughout the car’s restoration and even donating period-correct state police license plates, installed for show only. The Michigan State Police technically leased the car from a company called Wheels Inc., a fleet management company, which bought it on July 9, 1992, for $13,806.20, the equivalent of about $22,350 in today’s dollars, adjusted for inflation. It was originally assigned to the Paw Paw, Michigan, post in southwest Michigan, just west of Kalamazoo, and transferred to the Bridgman post, southwest of Paw Paw, near Lake Michigan. It was in service until September 30, 1997, when it was retired with only 48,279 miles.

The MSP drove the Mustangs only in fair weather, and in the precipitation-prone state of Michigan, that meant plenty of down time, particularly throughout the winter.

So, with the car only about five years out of service, Bruce dove into the restoration, and the result is fantastically authentic, right down to period citation books and other items with which the troopers would have patrolled. Equipment

ACT_Ad_FoxMustangMag_Issue6_HalfHoriz.indd 1

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 75 5/15/2012 2:31:11 PM

includes the shark-fin sign, Unity spotlights, Sound Off headlamp flashers, Ham Sar flashback flasher, Whelen Mini-Max red grille lights, Whelen Responder oscillating red light, Peterson red deck lights, Federal Signal PA500F siren control box, Whelen Project-A-Flex siren speaker, Motorola Syntor X Systems 90-S VHF high-band and UHF low-band radios, Kustom KR-10 SPF radar/TSS VASCAR, and a door-mounted shotgun rack. In the trunk, the troopers carried a small shovel.

Like the other MSP Mustangs, this one has the AODbacked 5.0-liter engine rather than the five-speed manual.

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The slushbox trans sapped some of the “oomph” from the Mustang’s performance feel, and long-term reliability was never a strong suit, as the overdrive band tended to burn up, generating an expensive repair. All MSP Mustangs were believed to have black interiors, as does this one.

The 160-mph “certified calibration”–denoted speedometer is an SSP-specific feature, and this example was built with many of the items commonly assumed as standard-issue. But features including the full-size spare tire, single-key operation, relocated trunk release button, and even the iconic blue silicone engine hoses were

options. By the way, the 160-mph speedo became part of the SSP package in 1990; earlier models used a 140-mph unit (and non-SSP Mustangs had an 85-mph speedo).

Ten years after its restoration, this retired cruiser’s appearance looks fresh and meticulous, owing to its owners’ dedication to preserving its historical importance. Besides, it works pretty much only as a show car, because covering the lights and insignias for even a brief jaunt onto the highway is a time-consuming process — which we witnessed when we told Mike we’d have to take his car away from his driveway for our photo shoot.

“It’s a lot of fun to own one of these cars, even if you can’t drive it every day,” he says. “It generates all kinds of questions from people, and it’s great to know I’m helping maintain a piece of history.”

Here’s to a continued and relaxed retirement for this 225hp member FMM of the Michigan State Police.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 77

VANILLA ICE

5.0 Vanilla Ice brings back cool

by Nelson Cardadeiro

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R

ob Van Winkle, better known as reason to be proud back in the day. rapper Vanilla Ice, has always The following year, Vanilla Ice been a car guy. Growing up released a single that paid homage to in Houston and southern Florida, his his 5.0 in the song called “Rollin’ in My father was a car salesman who also 5.0.” Using a song sample from The liked to tinker with cars. So Rob came Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like an Eagle,” by this naturally, along with his ability Ice describes racing his Mustang, that to work on houses as evidenced by “It’s not a Benz or a Jag, it’s a 5-0 with a his DIY Network show, The Vanilla Ice rag.” But in the live intro to the song on Project, where he and his contractors the Extremely Live CD, the DJ talks to remodel his Palm Beach home.

When Rob reached driving THE 5.0 MUSTANG WAS age, he had various cars, ROB’S FIRST TRUE LOVE. working up to a Camaro IROC-Z. The Camaro was fast but not quite as fast as Ford’s 5.0 Mustangs. So with his father’s Ice about the hard work it took to get to connections, Rob was able to purchase the top and about the things they miss. an ’88 Oxford White 5.0 GT convertible, He tells Ice the thing he misses most is which he proceeded to accessorize in “your clean 5.0 you used to drive.” the style of the day. The car ended up So what happened to the Vanilla Ice 5.0? Recently Rob was in the changing his life.

It became probably the most famous movie That’s My Boy with Adam Fox-body Mustang of all time when Sandler, where he plays the Vanilla it was immortalized in the 1990 song Ice character, complete with a white “Ice Ice Baby.” The lyric “Rollin in my 5.0 convertible. In an interview with 5.0 with my ragtop down so my hair Yahoo Entertainment, the interviewer can blow” will forever be ingrained in asks if that was his old car. “It’s not the the mind of 5.0 enthusiasts of that era. actual 5.0.” Rob says. “I wish it was.

The video, showing Vanilla Ice slowly No, some collector guy bought my 5.0, cruising across the television screen in which I should have never sold. Had I the convertible with its white rims and known that it was going to be such a Saleen rear wing, gave 5.0 owners big persona attached to that time of my

life… We would have never known that back in the day.”

In the movie, four replicas were built of Rob’s convertible. One was used in a jump scene and destroyed.

The nicest one was used in pre-race parade laps for the Pocono 400 on June 10, with Rob participating in the opening ceremonies and serving as the honorary pace car driver in the official pace car. Though he states that they are “exact replicas,” Fox-body aficionados will note that the chrome wheels, different rear spoiler, and the red body-side molding insert are obvious differences to the original car.

Today, Rob is a collector of vintage Cadillacs. In fact, at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Palm Beach last March, he could be seen on Speed TV’s coverage of the event, bidding on some classic Caddies. He also cruises around in a 2007 Rolls Royce Phantom.

But the 5.0 Mustang was Rob’s first true love. He said it was a lot of fun making the movie, doing the pace laps, and reminiscing about his old ride. He even left open the possibility that maybe one day he would get another, and will once again be “rollin’ in my 5.0.”

FMM

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 79

Approaching the base of Lookout Mountain, the turbocharged SVO looks “old school” but definitely is not.

SVO ON THE MOUNTAIN A drive through Chattanooga and up Lookout Mountain in a hot ’84 SVO

by James Price and Ben O’Brien | photography by Ben O’Brien

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own an engineering company, and we design radio and TV stations. This job absorbs a lot of my time. After a busy day and good quality time with my family, I’ll remember my great car and the rolling terrain in and around Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’ll pull it out of the garage in the dark and head towards nearby Lookout Mountain, with its incline railway, Rock City, and spectacular views. Lookout Mountain is one of the Southeast’s most popular “must see” destinations. Knowing the best roads and unwinding on them in my SVO is a weekly requirement. Driving uphill on curvy blacktop leading to the top of Lookout Mountain, where no straightaway can be found, is ideal real estate for my tweaked ’84 SVO. To see the car through fresh eyes, my friend and fellow SVO owner, Ben O’Brien, will drive and provide commentary. — James Price

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This is Terminal Station, the name given to the Union Pacific-built station that is home to the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Beautiful and almost out of place now is this time capsule of the previous century. This is rest, food, and entertainment headquarters for many people enjoying the Chattanooga area.

Currently with 18 pounds of boost, this original engine makes 332 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque.

More power is just a delivery of the new turbo away.

At rest in Chickamauga National Military Park, the SVO biplane spoiler poses with one of the hundreds of cannons on display. It’s the largest military park in our country, with 8,000+ acres and over 20 miles of great scenic driving.

The venerated Chattanooga Choo Choo is a 4-62 type steam engine. This train, although dubbed the Chattanooga Choo Choo since the early ’70s was, until that time, just an old train. But it’s representative of the type around the Chattanooga station.

Ben O’Brien: I’ve been an SVO man since 1998 when I acquired an 11,000-mile ’86 SVO Comp Prep (Competition Prepared). Unfortunately, I haven’t driven mine in a year since my home and Mustangs were slammed by the “Ringgold, Georgia, Tornado” of 2011.

But, here I am, back in an SVO’s driver seat. I love Mustangs, especially Fox-bodies. There’s nothing like a Mustang — it’s always been the best

bang for the buck. And stepping into the SVO was like dancing with an old girlfriend — familiar, and one fondly remembered.

I slid into the Corbeau racing seat, closed the door, and clicked the seat belt. I immediately began to reminisce about my own SVO. Mine is absolutely stock, and before the tornado I usually entered it in the Concours class. James’ SVO looks the same for the most part, both inside and out, if I

exclude under the hood. I adjusted the tilt wheel, set the mirrors, and turned the key. The exhaust note clued me in to this being a different car than I expected. The ’84 SVO roared to life with an exhaust note and cam lope that screamed power; I was already impressed. I moved the T5 gearshift into First and eased out the clutch, heading for some curvy blacktop.

As the car warmed up, I immediately noticed the quick and

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 81

SVO man James Price, working towards 500+ horsepower, more than 125 per cylinder.

I purchased this car in April 2002. My brother-in-law kept telling me about this turbo Mustang called an “SVO” with a small engine that was much faster than his 5.0. He said it was easy to mod, and with a twist of something called a “boost valve” under the hood, this car was beating his repeatedly.

As I learned more about SVOs, I realized I needed one past its prime, one that I could modify, that wouldn’t take away from its value.

After a couple of years I found this car in south Georgia. It was sunbaked but not rusty, with a blown head gasket and the wiring harness unwrapped under the hood, but otherwise all stock. It looked good, but was beat-up for certain. Carfax revealed it had been in three separate, pretty hard accidents — hit in the rear, the driver-side door, and in the front. All sheetmetal had been fixed or replaced, but not real well. This was the car for me. I could modify without hurting the value. All stock parts have been retained and can be reinstalled

ABOUT JAMES’ SVO easily, except for the wiring harness. When I get it painted eventually, I’ll tackle that old damage.

Several years later I found it was built on the second or third day of SVO production in October 1983. According to the SVOCA Registry on the SVOCA.com website, there are only three SVOs still existing with lower VINs. To my knowledge, these still don’t run.

So this car merits the distinction of being the “oldest running SVO.” My goal was to get above the 500+ horsepower mark (with matching torque) but without a freakishly crazy powerband or being unreliable. I wanted great, strong, usable power, and knowing I’m a better “wrench” than driver, I can work towards that.

While 5.0 owners have a multitude of aftermarket parts, 2.3 turbo owners mostly scrounge for used parts from various cars, eBay, salvage yards, and Craigslist. We often look for parts from turbo Volvos to Dodge

The most visible building in all of the Chattanooga and surrounding area, the tower of what was once the Lookout Mountain Hotel, built in 1929. Since the ’60s it has become known as “Covenant College” atop Lookout Mountain.

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Omnis (seriously). These days, thanks to a renewed interest in the Ford turbo cars, getting to that power is actually almost simple. My car has everything in place now for the 500+ hp/torque range, except for a larger turbo which should arrive late summer.

I drive my SVO about 500 miles a year now and love it. It’s smooth and strong, and the car handles and stops like a modified SVO should. My brother, who is a European turbocar fan/owner, has had several vehicles for me to test modifications against, including an Audi TT, a Volvo sedan, and a Subaru (all turbo’d). In the end, we both prefer my SVO for sheer fun. It’s just a blast, with a lot of pure “oldschool” feeling horsepower. I had a guy tell me it’s like his car on nitrous, which isn’t a bad compliment.

responsive rack-and-pinion steering. In fact, the power steering and brakes were substantially better than those in my ’86 SVO or my ’93 Cobra. This car uses a ’93 Cobra rack, but the similarity ends there — it uses later SN-95 A-arms, a big Herb Addams front sway bar, and solid endlinks. The OEM brakes, and nearly all suspension front and rear, are replaced with much better autocross pieces.

Going down a two-lane back road, I tapped into the turbo.

Once again, the “girlfriend” memories surfaced as the car responded with the whistle of the T3/T4 turbo and a powerful lunge forward. We continued to accelerate. I lifted off the throttle to navigate some fast switchbacks. I felt the turbo come to life again. Oh, the rush of horsepower and torque in a lightweight car made to handle! It’s something the V-8 guys don’t know. This car has a great balance of power/ weight/handling and brakes. Nothing has been overbuilt at the expense of something else, and James tells me he has a Cobra Independent Rear Suspension almost completed to install. This car will definitely outperform my SVO and Cobras.

And, with the additional larger turbo James has planned, I’m concerned about my “R” and the Boss. This SVO feels like it’s in the same neighborhood as my 440hp 2012 Boss. James later told me that the SVO has dyno’d nearly 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. That’s a big step up from the factory 175 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque.

The car’s responsiveness was amazing, not only on the

Honest Charley, next to Coker Tire Company in downtown Chattanooga, was a speed shop founded in 1948 by Honest Charley Card. Back in the Ford Flathead V-8 days, this company was king — a mail-order giant. After more than 50 years in business, the company closed but Coker Tire reopened it in 1998, primarily in memory of Honest Charley.

In Chattanooga, the Incline Railway’s steep climb up Lookout Mountain is a spectacular ride. The last quarter-mile is nearly straight up — a grade of 72.7 percent. Established in 1895, the railway still uses the same electric motors installed in 1905.

Issue Issue 6 6 FOX FOX Mustang Mustang Magazine Magazine 83 83

Cannons everywhere! This is from the Cravens house, which was built before the Civil War but completely knocked down during the war and rebuilt as we see it today. The family owned much of Lookout Mountain during the 1800s. Both sides of the Civil War headquartered here and eventually used it as a hospital. The appropriately named “Battle Above the Clouds” happened on this mountain. Union and Confederate troops used the strategic mountaintop to watch opposing forces travel down the Tennessee River and countryside.

Corbeau seats were installed to save the original leather ones; the extinguisher meets a requirement at the Barber Motorsport Track in Birmingham, Alabama; and the power converter is for the laptop. The shifter is a short-throw made by Kirban, shifting the third tranny installed since the power upgrades began. How about that original ’84 premium stereo? Three factory console switches are for octane choice, stereo amp, and fog lights. Other than the big red things, the interior looks stock.

Due to mileage, parts have to be replaced. Gone are the SVO solid A-arms with non-replaceable ball joints. The car now has SN-95 Maximum Motorsport arms, and solid endlinks between the A-arm and Herb Addams sway bar, Cobra rack-and-pinion, Koni Reds, Ford Motorsport Springs, and custom brake lines. A tubular K-member will be installed this summer.

back roads and the interstate, but also while climbing the long, winding road to the top of Lookout Mountain, pulling the steep grade in Third at low rpm. Torque or horsepower — which did I want to use?

We got a lot of double-takes and thumbs-ups while driving through local traffic. The black wheels make this car look mean. A few locals tried to provoke a race. The owner of a new red Porsche Carrera convertible just had to see if this “’80s Mustang” could keep up with his expensive German import. I think we scared him with the blow-off valve. We didn’t hesitate

to leave behind the $100,000-plus sports car.

Do you remember the SVO’s factory specs: specific Koni shocks and struts, thicker sway bars, stiffer/longer A-arms, and Recaro seats? Wider wheelbase, better weight distribution, and four-wheel disc brakes, and that boosted and injected 2.3 four-cylinder making the same horsepower as the V-8? To that, James added suspension, brake, and engine upgrades, and built an SVO that can outperform some of today’s performance cars, yet it’s user friendly. It could be a mild grocery getter if you could stay off the throttle.

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Here is a much smaller railway station that used to serve Rock Springs, Georgia. This area is a favorite of mine, where just off the road great old stuff is there to enjoy. Most people on the highway 200 yards away never see this building.

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Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 85 Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 85

I love the OEM SVO 16-inch wheels and have a chromed set running Kumhos, but I wanted something to hold a stickier 17-inch tire. The front calipers on SVOs are the same as Lincoln Continentals of the same period. They stop the car just fine with the Hawk street/strip pads.

The Point Park entrance at the tip of Lookout overlooks the Chattanooga basin. And this is just the entrance gate. How did they afford this back then, and where did we go wrong?

“Roadwarrior” just seemed to fit the car. It’s a gray 20-foot paint job that covers three wrecks by two previous owners. It’s the oldest SVO still on the road, highly modified (and never done), and it still gets a lot of track time.

On Lookout Mountain, between the Incline landing at the top and Point Park, it’s a beautiful view at about 1,200 feet above sea level, looking towards the south.

A lot of the area below is Georgia.

A couple hundred acres of open field surrounded by woods is just one of many really cool spots to stop and take it all in when you’re in Chickamauga Park. You’ll see a herd of deer and sometimes fairly big coyotes loping along.

86 FOXMustangMagazine.com

Turbo cars like cool, moist air. The stock intercooler was just under the hoodscoop, and just over the exhaust manifold. When stopped, heat rises, so that’s not a good idea. There’s even a rumor that wind-tunnel testing showed at most speeds air was pulled from the engine bay out of the scoop. Move the intercooler up front. Problem solved!

In downtown Chattanooga, the Walnut Street Bridge spanning the Tennessee River was a major route between central downtown and northern downtown. However, it was deemed unsafe and was closed to traffic. It received a “facelift� and is now a popular walking bridge through the tourist area.

On the road in light traffic, this oldgeneration Fox-body likes to run.

FMM

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 87

FOX GRAVEYARD The Mustangs get put out to pasture story and photography by Huw Evans

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ou may have heard about the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center just outside Tucson, Arizona. It’s home to thousands of retired military aircraft that sit quietly, row upon row. A lucky few return to service. Many end up being cannibalized for parts. Most however, will end their days at the hot end of a torch, melted down into ingots, emerging as saucepans at the local Ikea.

Some 2,275 miles away in Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada, is Jeff Chapman’s Mustang Specialteaz — an unassuming facility specializing in sales, service, parts, and restoration of our favorite Mustangs, though it may not appear to have much in common with AMARC. Yet, if you peek around the

back of Jeff’s shop, you’ll find rows of Fox Mustangs that have seen better days. Jeff has been rounding up these lame foals for years, but rather than see them crushed or shredded for their steel content, Jeff brings them to the back lot, where they’ll serve as parts donors for other Mustangs, until they’re picked clean and there’s no further use for them.

Recently, FOX Mustang Magazine paid a visit to Mustang Specialteaz and took a spin through the yard. If you’re looking for a particular used part or even a project car to get your teeth into, Jeff always has a ready selection, and as you can see, looking around the yard is a great way to spend to spend a happy afternoon.

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1. Early-and later-model Foxes rest side by side. The black ’88 LX notch nearest the camera has some pretty good sheetmetal on it for a Rust Belt car; most of the passenger-side fender has already found a home, by the looks of things. 2. Here’s an ’84½ Mustang GT that’s been stripped

almost bare, at least on the inside. It still sports the desirable three-spoke steering wheel, factory fitted to ’84½-’86 models without cruise control.

By the time you read this, no doubt that wheel will be gone. 3. It’s amazing what you can find in places like this. How about an original ’79 Cobra hatchback that still sports its 302 two-barrel V-8? Out of all the cars we saw, this was probably the most intriguing. It also appeared to be fairly solid, too. Can you say restoration project? 4. Although many of the cars here are too far gone for resurrection, towards the front of the yard you’ll still find a few that are definitely salvageable, like this ’85 GT. Jeff says he always has a stash of project cars, looking for the right enthusiasts to bring them back from the brink.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 89

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5. The vast majority of cars behind Jeff’s shop are Mustangs, but you’ll find a few Foxes of slightly different colors, too, one of them being this

rather complete, albeit rusty, ’86 Mercury Capri GS. Considering that only 20,869 Capris were made that year, finding one, even in this condition, is a treat. 6. Now doesn’t that tape and stripe job take you back? Judging by the looks of things, this ’87 LX hatch was last on the road sometime during the ’90s, though it does look like it’s seen many Great Lakes winters (check the rust and bondo on that front fender). Parked next to it is one of only a few SN-95 Mustangs in the yard. 7. One of the oldest residents in the yard is this ’83 Mustang GT, now hosting some vines through what used to be the floorpans. Nonetheless, those seat cushions look to be in good shape, even if that gas tank isn’t. 8. The gray LX nearest the camera sports what appears to be a DECH body kit. DECH Motorsports, founded by Derek Hanson in 1985, was a Canadian outfit that specialized in late-model Mustang performance parts (particularly body kits and suspension mods) as well as complete turnkey road-race–inspired cars that could be built to order. Although the company ceased operations in 2000, surviving DECH Mustangs are highly prized in some circles. 9. A fairly complete, later LX hatch sits on space savers. That nose cap appears to be in excellent condition, and most of the sheetmetal doesn’t look too bad either. 10. Clearly hit hard at the front, this ’84 Mustang will never see the road again. It sits quietly at the very back of the yard, awaiting its ultimate fate.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 91

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11. Not as badly damaged, this ’90 LX notchback (a recent arrival) offers lots of good parts. 12. The dash looks familiar, but it doesn’t belong to Mustang. 13. Instead it’s part of the lone Fairmont sedan in the yard, also a Fox-based car, and one that’s missing its driverside B-pillar. 14. Here’s one that’s almost been picked clean, save for the hood, quarter-window glass, and that windshield-washer-fluid reservoir. 15. Although Jeff has been collecting Fox parts cars for years, he says there aren’t as many as there used to be. “Once upon a time, I’d get several each week. Now it’s several in a good month.” 16. One of the cars closest to the entrance of the yard was this black ’86 GT riding on ’80s vintage five-spoke Fittipaldis. We inquired about the seats, but they were already spoken for. 17. One of this author’s favorite Foxes is the ’83 T-top GT hatchback. This one, which was once painted Bright Red, has turned almost orange due to sun exposure.

It was fairly complete and appears to have sported that ever-so-popular ’80s accessory, a car bra.

FMM

SOURCE MUSTANG SPECIALTEAZ

9811 Trafalgar Rd. • Halton Hills, Ontario L7G 4S4 • Canada (905) 877-7726 • www.hearthethunder.com

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310.784.1010 Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 93

by Matt Highley, Fox Mustang Restoration

FIX MY FOX Have a question about your Fox Mustang? Ask our expert, Matt Highley, of Fox Mustang Restoration.

Send your question, and a pic if possible, to brandon@pattersonpublishing.com. Put “Fix My Fox” in the subject line.

GETTING HOSED

Q

I am in desperate need of help to find an A/C hose for my ’86 SVO 2.3 Turbo with factory air. The hose is located near the firewall, with one end connected to a black can and the other end to the compressor.

The hose is leaking so bad that the A/C only works for a week. The Ford dealer said they don’t have the hose, and I can’t find it at any auto parts store.

Please help.

Frank Rutherford Seattle, WA

A

SVO-specific parts can be very difficult to find.

The hose you need is called the suction hose, and it’s usually attached to the accumulator, the black can by the firewall. The ’84 SVO had the hose as part of the accumulator, while the ’85-’86 hose was its own part, connected to the accumulator with a quick disconnect.

As you’ve discovered, this hose is not available anywhere, even through the aftermarket. The only option is to repair the existing hose by replacing the reinforced rubber hose section. Cut a slot in each end, remove the old hose, and replace it using new ferrels. Specialty A/C shops do this routinely, or supplies are available online from sites like www.mastercool.com and others. Concours guys can get some bulk hose with the Motorcraft markings for a factory look.

HOT BLOODED

Q

My ’89 GT started running warmer than normal while driving through town and at idle, but when I’m driving on the highway it cools down to normal. I replaced the thermostat and fan clutch, and made sure there are no leaks. I’m missing the overflow bottle. I was thinking about installing a high-volume water pump. Will this solve my problem?

Matt Brooks Little Rock, AR

A

It sounds like you’ve covered the basics. The first thing is to get a good overflow bottle on the car. This provides the crucial function of allowing the cooling system to expel a small amount of coolant when the vehicle is hot and allows it to recover the coolant back into the system when it cools down. Without this, over time you will continue to lose coolant little by little.

I don’t believe a high-volume water pump will solve your issue. Have your radiator cap tested to make sure it’s holding the proper amount of pressure. This number will be noted on the cap.

Finally, the radiator may be partially blocked. You can verify this with an infrared heat-detection gun. You’re looking for a section of the radiator that is cooling significantly more than the rest.

94 FOXMustangMagazine.com

WORRIED ABOUT NOTHING

WATERTIGHT SEAL

Q

I’m tired of aftermarket headlights leaking water. Can you recommend a company that has a good-quality headlight set?

Phil Costa Miami, FL

A

Unless you dish out big bucks for a Ford headlight set, there will be no difference in the leaking issue. I can offer you an explanation of why they leak and a solution. Ford’s headlights were hypersonically welded together, creating a better seal. The housing and lens were assembled in a machine that vibrated so fast, the parts melted together.

Aftermarket lights just glue the housing and lens together which can separate in spots.

The solution is simple and can be purchased at any autoparts store or even Wal-Mart. Get some clear RTV silicon and smear it along the entire seam of the headlight. While doing this, push it into the seam. Installing the headlight weatherstripping will cover any unsightly mess.

Q

I want to buy a 140-mph speedometer to put in my ’88 GT. What should I do to make sure the speedometer reads correctly?

Dave Willoughby Houston, TX

A

If you’re just changing your speedometer, there are no adjustments necessary. The 85-mph and the 140-mph speedometers are made of the same parts; they’re just calibrated differently for the indicated speeds. This way there are no other adjustments needed. The only time an adjustment is needed is when you change the differential gears.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 95

MORE OPTIONS THAN YOU THOUGHT

Q

Are doorskins available for an ’83 convertible? Mine is rusted at the bottom, and the passenger door has a huge dent. Fixing it is a lot more work than I want to do, especially if replacement parts are available.

Mike Sheppard Columbia, SC

A

The only sheetmetal available for doors is a lower patch panel; it does the lower 9 inches. I don’t recommend using these because of the thinness of the sheetmetal in that area. The welding can warp the doorskin, which will require a lot of filling and block sanding.

I recommend finding a good ’88-’93 door to use on your ’83. When Ford added the different holes for the interior armrest for the ’88-’93, they did not remove the ’81-’86 holes. You can even use a hardtop door for your convertible by cutting off the window frame to match your convertible door and swapping over all of the inner reinforcements.

FMM Stay away from ’87 doors. They were their own stamping and do not interchange.

Matt Highley, owner of Fox Mustang Restoration, brings years of experience, a passion for Fox-bodies, and a deep knowledge of these cars to Fix My Fox. In 2004, Matt opened Fox Mustang Restoration (www.foxresto.com; 704/8881278) to help keep these cars on the road.

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96 FOXMustangMagazine.com

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88794 BBK1557

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H-Pipes ‘86-93 5.0L Off-road w/ Shorties . BBK1507 .......$179.99 ‘79-93 5.0L/5.8L Catted w/ Shorties ....................................................... BBK1521 .......$399.99 ‘79-93 5.0/5.8L Off-road w/ Long tubes ....................................................... BBK1510 .......$129.99 ‘79-93 5.0L/5.8L Catted w/ Long tubes ....................................................... BBK1509 .......$349.99

Clutch Kits

BBK1556

BBK1617

Cold Air Kits ‘86-93 5.0L Fenderwell Power-Plus Series...BBK1557...... $159.99 Blackout Series .......BBK15575 ... $189.99 Underhood ...............BBK1556 ..... $144.99 Fuel Pressure Gauge .................................BBK1617 ...... $59.99

BBK1515 BBK1516

Shorty Headers ‘86-93 5.0L, Chrome1-5 / 8”............ BBK1515 ....... $194.99 Equal Length 1-5 / 8” ....................... BBK1512 ....... $239.99 Long Tube Headers ‘79-93 5.0L and M/T. 1-5 / 8” primaries Chrome .......................................... BBK1516 ....... $319.99 BBK1572

Header Gasket BBK1575 5.0/5.8L, 1-5 / 8” Primaries ..............BBK1575.......$14.99 Throttle Body Gasket Kit ‘86-93 5.0L 65/70mm ...................BBK1572.......$13.99

BBK2525

BBK2522

R98794HDT

Throttle Bodies 65mm ‘86-93 5.0L..............BBK1517* .... $199.99 70mm ‘86-93 5.0L..............BBK1501* .... $199.99 ‘86-93 EGR spacer ..BBK1502 ..... $59.99 75mm ‘86-93 5.0L..............BBK1503*.... $209.99 ‘86-93 EGR spacer ..BBK1504 ..... $69.99 80mm ‘86-93 5.0L. Race throttle body .................................BBK1514* .... $229.99

R98794HDT

‘86-93 4.6L & 5.0L .......................R88794HDT .......... $219.95 ‘86-93 5.0L, 10-1/ 2” .....................R98794 ................. $309.95 ‘86-93 5.0L, 26-spline 10-1/ 2” .....R98794HD ............ $359.95 ‘86-95 5.0L, w/ Tremec TKO 26-spline 10-1/ 2” ......................................................R98794HDT .......... $359.95

Flywheel

R1525

‘86-93 5.0L, 50 oz.

Steel .......................... R1525 ........................$269.95

‘79-93 Headlights

‘86-93 throttle bodies must be used with matching EGR spacers. Gaskets are included.

BBK2501

BBK2510

Lowering Sport Spring Kit ‘79-04 4.6/5.0L except ‘99-04 Cobra w/ IRS .................................BBK2510 ..... $229.99 Gripp Coil Spring Kit ‘79-04 4.6/5.0L except ‘99-04 Cobra w/ IRS .................................BBK2501 ..... $209.99

Quicklift Hood 2156SET Lift System

6442PS

5636A

5636C

Clear Side Marker ....................2156SET.................... $119.95 Euro-Style Clear .........................................6442PS ..................... $154.95 Amber Side Marker ..................5636A ....................... $89.95 Clear Side Marker ....................5636C ....................... $99.95

BBK5008

BBK2521

Rear Control Arms ‘79-93 Upper ..............................................BBK2522 ......$119.99 Lower..............................................BBK2521 ......$199.99 Upper and lower .............................BBK2526 ......$299.99 Oxygen Sensor Extension BBK1676 Harness ‘86-09 4.6L/5.0L . BBK1676 ....$42.99 Underdrive Pulleys ‘79-93 5.0L........... BBK1553 ....$124.99

‘86-01 5.0L, 4.6L 10-1/ 2” .............88794 ................... $154.95 ‘86-01 4.6L & 5.0L 10-1/2” ...........88794HD ............... $209.95 ‘86-93 5.0L, TKO 26-spline 10-1/ 2” ......................................................88794T ................. $164.95

R98794

BBK1514

BBK2506

Subframe Connectors ‘79-93.............................................BBK2506 ..... $109.95 Caster/Camber Plates ‘79-93.............................................BBK2525 ..... $204.99

88794HD

SSI-R Series Manifold Kit ‘86-93 5.0L ..............BBK5008 ...... $749.99 Manifold Spacer ‘86-93 5.0L SSI-R intake ..............BBK1530 ......................... $59.99

Clutch Fenderwell BBK15055 Adjuster Kit ‘79-93.. BBK15050 ... $42.99 kit BBK1553 Firewall adjustable ‘82-93 .. BBK15055 ...$119.99 kit

2156US

5636D

5636G

5636F

Smoked ....................................2156US ..................... $159.95 Stock Amber Side Marker ..................5636D ....................... $119.95 Euro-Style w/ Driving Light Clear .........................................5636F........................ $179.95 Smoked ....................................5636G ....................... $179.95

Headlight Hardware

‘87-93 ..................FR1006 ................... $41.95

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Some parts are not legal for sale or use in California with emission controlled vehicles. Prices subject to change.

Mustangs Unlimited is an independently owned and operated company and is not affiliated or associated with Ford Motor Company.

Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 97

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Wheel and Tire Packages

CW93PL

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• Hundreds of Wheel Size/Finish/Tire Combinations from which to choose (Including Deep Dish).

• Available in 17", 18" 19" and 20" wheel sizes.

• Packages available with or without TPMS. • Kits in staggered set-ups avaiable.

Featuring the following Tire Brands:

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Engine Gasket Sets

MW8452

‘86-93 5.0L Stainless Hi-Flow Shorty Headers M9430P50

AB65 248ST

‘75-95 5.0L/5.8L .................... M6003A50 ..........................$114.95

‘83-93 5.0/ 5.8L 248ST...........$199.95 ‘87-93 ..... $34.95

‘79-93 Front and Rear Sway Bar Kits HW6701

4 oz.

Bottle F1860

FRONT 1-5 /16", 4 & 6 cyl ......................................HW6701 ......................................... $259.95 1-5 /16”, 5.0L V8 ........................................HW6709 ......................................... $195.99 1-3 / 8”, 5.0L V8 .........................................HW56709....................................... $179.95 REAR 1” .............................................................HW6801 ......................................... $199.95

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Driveshaft ‘79-95 5.0L...................M4602G .......................... $309.95

‘79-93 5.0L Off-Road H-Pipe 438690V

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98 FOXMustangMagazine.com

8.8” Ring & Pinion Gear Sets

Water Pump

3.08 Ratio .......... M4209F308....... $149.95 3.15 Ratio .......... M420988315 .... $149.95 3.31 Ratio .......... M420988331.... $149.95 3.27 Ratio .......... M4209F327....... $149.95 3.55 Ratio .......... M4209G355 ...... $164.95 M8501C50 3.73 Ratio .......... M4209F373....... $149.95 ‘86-93 5.0L Stock replacement 4.10 Ratio .......... M4209G410 ...... $149.95 ......... M8501C50 ........... $44.95 4.56 Ratio .......... M4209G456 ...... $169.95

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Underdrive Pulley Set

Engine Assembly 340hp 306 CID w/ “X” Heads

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Coil Spring Kits

95

Heavy -Duty Clutch Kit

Pushrod Set

Rugged, double-row roller chain 5.0/5.8L M6268B302 $109.95

Flywheel

M5300B

M5300C M7560A302N

‘81-95 5.0L. 157 Tooth, 50 oz.

‘79-85................ M7560A302N ................$214.95 .......... M6375C302.....$239.95

‘85-95 5.0L...M6565L302 .. $39.95

Valve Covers

NG KI

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5-Lug Rear Conversion Kit SAVI

“Mustang Powered By Ford” Black ................... M6582B301............$132.95 pr

Fender Covers

Ts M

‘79-93 w/ 7.5 or 8.8” Rear Axle ...................... MU1126R ..................$274.88

Lifters

M6300R302

High-Miler Radiator Hose Kit

279 88

Horn Button Switches

Clutch Fork

‘87-93 Master Weatherstrip Kits

5001

‘91-93 13805F

64 95

$ ‘85-95 5.0L... M6500R302 ..............$129.95 ‘86-93 5.0L w/ AC ...5001 ...$109.95

MSD50K

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MU1126R

SAVI

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M5059A

‘79-93..................... M5059A ............ $54.95

M6582B301

NG KI

“Double Hump” Crossmember

‘86-95 5.0L Digital Ignition Kit O NE Y

‘79-04 4.6L/5.0L “Sport” ......................M5300B..................... $169.95 ‘79-04 4.6L/5.0L “Super Sport” ......................M5300C..................... $174.95

M6375C302

Coupe MWK87C ... $174.88 ‘79-93 Hatchback w/ 5.0L & T-5 MWK87H ... $174.88 MWK87H transmission Convertible F2935R MWK87V ... $299.88 $24.95 Issue 6 FOX Mustang Magazine 99

“NPD is proud to sponsor 11X True Street Champion Chris Escobar

Restoration Parts available for

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PRO-M RACING MASS AIR METERS

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They are available with or without cold air calibration and come in many different injector sizes. Please check out our online catalog for your correct calibration.

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HEAD LIGHT KITS

These quality reproduction head light kits are designed to replace your worn out yellowed factory head lights.

They include 2 - Headlight assemblies, 2 - Parking light assemblies and 2 - Front marker light assemblies.

They are available in many different styles with pricing starting at $89.95. See our online catalog for styles and pricing.

You want a quality aluminum radiator without paying those crazy prices?

Look no further. NPD now offers Champion Cooling products. Their tanks are made from 2mm thick aircraft grade aluminum, fully TIG welded for strength and durability. With three styles to chose from we are sure to have the one that fits your needs.

2 Row .....................................M-8005-2AL $159.95 3 Row .....................................M-8005-3AL $229.95 4 Row .....................................M-8005-4AL $289.95

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