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.
| 5.0 TECH SPECS |
| ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN |
| Block | Stock, DSS-prepped |
| Cylinder Heads | Edelbrock Performer 6039 |
| Intake Manifold | Performer RPM, equalized by Panhandle Performance |
| Carburetor | Holley 650 Double-Pumper |
| Camshaft | AFM N-6 |
| Exhaust | MAC equal-length headers, off-road H-pipe, DynoMax mufflers |
| Fuel Pump | Holley Red |
| Transmission | M-7003-X T5 |
| Clutch | FRPP King Cobra |
| Rearend | 8.8, FRPP 4.10 gears, Traction-Lok |
| ELECTRONICS |
| Ignition | MSD 6AL, MSD distributor, and coil |
| Gauges | Auto Meter |
| SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS |
| Springs | Suspension Techniques |
| Struts/Shocks | Monroe Formula GP |
| Front Suspension | Steeda C/C plates, BBK bushings |
| Rear Suspension | HPM Panhard bar, HPM Mega-Bite Jr. control arms, FRPP HD upper arms |
| Wheels | ROH Reflex 17x8, Diamond Racing 16x8, Weld Draglites 15x8 (15x3 fronts) |
| Tires | Sumitomo, Kumho, and ET Streets |
| Brakes | Power Slot Rotors, Performance Friction pads, Turbo Coupe rear discs, '93 Cobra master cylinder |