1985 Fod Mustang GT - The Work Horse

Last on Jeff's "To Do" list was a killer paint job and some body touches. He likes things understated, where people have to take a second look to notice something, so no outrageous tribal flames here. No, what he wanted was a slightly tweaked look. Using an HO Fibertrends 2-inch cowl as a start, Jeff also mixed in some '93 Cobra with a Cobra rear wing and Cobra taillights, and finished off the look with Saleen side skirts and rear spats. The body was completely stripped and refinished in Deep Canyon Red (the original color) using PPG materials, but all graphics and accents were painted burgundy, with a clearcoat applied over everything. No black hood decal to worry about fading here. Inside, Jeff brought the interior up to enjoyable (and safe) standards with '86 SVO seats, '88 door panels and switches, a full set of Auto Meter gauges, RCI five-way harnesses, and a killer Sony stereo with CD-changer and 13 Kicker speakers.

Jeff came up with a low-buck yet effective induction system that utilizes the stock, dual-snorkle air cleaner base (painted to match the body) with a K&N filter and Extreme filter lid.

Jeff uses the car only on weekends and dry days (remember the gravel road and dirt-floor barn) and has other Blue Oval motivation (including four Broncos and a '66 Mercury Cyclone) to get him and his wife around. While he is pleased with the GT, he wants to squeak a bit more power out of it. And, if he can get a swingin' deal on some wheels, he just might go up to those big, 13-inch brakes he's been eyeing.

Jeff has his tire swapping down to a NASCAR-like art with gloves, cordless drill, lug nuts, and center caps all organized for quick work between rounds.

In the meantime, if you're parked next to a gorgeous '85 Mustang GT hatch at a car show, and you see the owner start to jack up his car and pull the wheels off, don't freak out. It's just Jeff getting ready for the next gig.