UPR Products Ford Fest - Live Free Or Drive - Web Exclusive!

We've heard love hurts, but Mark Cuomo's 5.0 tattoo takes his allegiance to another level. Mark was originally a Chevy guy, but when a Mustang LX put a whoopin' on his big-block Monte Carlo, he joined the good guys. He now owns a super-clean Fox GT with a 308ci stock block mill with a Vortech S-Trim supercharger. Mark and his wife Jackie have spent the last couple years getting the car up to their standards, and it makes 461 hp to the feet. Mark spent the first part of the car's reintroduction mostly attending shows, but he soon discovered he liked driving the car way more than showing it. Now he is content to stop by local cruises and shows, but only on the way to see more street driving.

Frances Paul from Springfield, Massachusetts had his car '95 GT convertible in the car show. His Laser Red droptop is outfitted with a full Saleen package, and retrofit with a Mach 1000 audio system. The car is well done, and the Mach 1000 is a nice touch.

Lest people think we're cavemen assuming a woman could never build an engine, we're not surprised at all Nicole Belanger was able to build the engine in her '93 LX-turned-GT. Anyone can achieve when they put their mind to it, and Nicole put her mind into building up her LX, a former four-cylinder car. She yanked the four-banger so she could swap in a 5.0. However, when blow-by got the best of the short-block, Nicole yanked it out for a performance rebuild. It is now a 306 sporting forged connecting rods, Probe Industries pistons, a Comp Cams Extreme Energy camshaft, Trick Flow 1.7 ratio roller rockers, AFR 165cc heads, and a '93 Cobra intake. Nicole has dreams of installing a Kenne Bell supercharger on the car in 2010.

Here's a row of cars from 5.0&SF's past and future. In the foreground is Rich Graswald's '95 GT, with Thomas Clark's Cobra, and Charlie and Monica Grandll's '95 GT convertible next to it. Both Rich and Tom received trophies for their Mustangs as well, deservedly so. Tom and Rich's Mustangs are in line to be featured so keep watch for them in upcoming issues.

It seems the Northeast hasn't forgotten its past when Paul Revere rode through the streets announcing the British were on the way. New England Dragway uses this flagpole to notify racers when their classes are about to run. For those without a radio, or out of earshot of the track PA system, all one has to do is look at the flagpole for their corresponding color, which matches their wristband. At least they don't use smoke signals.

The '91 LX coupe of James Tyler and Tammy Jowders won Best of Show on Sunday. Their Calypso coupe features a 310ci mill utilizing an FRPP A4 block, a Bennett Racing billet crank, Carillo rods, JE pistons, a Vortech YSi-Trim supercharger, and more good stuff we don't have room for here. However, you'll be able to read all about it in an upcoming issue. I'm guessing James' legs don't see the light of day too often. Sorry pal, I couldn't resist.

Adam Brown and his buddy Brandon Noye had Adam's '10 GT apart in the hotel parking lot Saturday evening looking for answers. Adam's GT was way down on power, and the intake was off to check things out, and install Steeda Autosports' CMRC delete plates. The GT's mods up to that point were 4.30 gears, OBX long-tube headers, an off-road H-pipe, a one-piece aluminum driveshaft, an electric water pump, a K&N filter, a Steeda Autosports' Hardcore upper control arm/third link, a Blow-By Racing tune, and Weld Racing big 'n' littles. For racing, Adam removed the front sway bar and the spare tire to reduce weight and aid weight transfer. The car weighed 3,460 with Adam in the car, and he averaged 22 mpg to and from his Baltimore, MD hometown. Since the Epping race, Adam's added Ford Racing Hot Rod cams, UPR Products lower control arms and adjustable panhard bar, and QA1 rear shocks for a new best-of 12.07 at 113 mph. He's adding 4.56 gears to take a shot at the 11-second zone.

Joe Bellandi had his S197 GT at the event as part of the New Hampshire Mustang Club's sponsorship of the car show. Joe's GT boasts a Saleen supercharger, Bullitt wheels, and several UPR billet items inside and under the hood. Not just a show car, Joe's run in the 11s with the car in street trim, and through a stock automatic. As I was working on this article I heard Joe had been in an automobile accident (Not in his Mustang), and thankfully, he's OK, and will make a full recovery.

We can't let this shot go. We looked all over this rock at New England Dragway for Charlie Grandll's name, but were unable to find it. Evidently, the New England Hot Rod Hall of Fame has never heard of Charlie, which is kind of surprising to Charlie. However, it is Charlie's goal to someday see his name on this rock, but in a legitimate fashion. Maybe Santa Claus will bring you something to help the cause. Good luck, my friend.