The '99-and-up cars are still fairly new, so it would be tough to build a purpose-built race car from one. But for the first time in Ford's history, there have been an unprecedented number of "body-in-white" chassis available for building. The New-Edge body style is so popular with racers that they are beginning to dominate in the drag-racing series. You can even find these bodies in fiberglass and carbon fiber for your race-car project. For now, the '99-and-up models make great street performers and weekend racers or show cars.
Too Rare?
Without sounding too much like Mustang Melvin the Resto Expert, we believe there are a few key Mustangs out there that shouldn't be molested over and above anything more than the basic bolt-ons (pulleys, filter, and so on). Ford has put out some low-production Mustangs during the past 22 years, and if you're lucky enough to own one of them, we strongly suggest acquiring another car from which to build your project. On the other hand, if you have some tape-stripe special from the local dealer, feel free to fire up the Sawzall.
This section lists those cars that don't fit into the project-car classification-especially if you're looking for a potential race car. Now, if you want a potential collectible, then these models would be fine. But please don't buy one of these cars, tub it, and drop in a big-block. If that's what you have in mind, buy a beater and rebuild it the way you want it. Leave the collector cars to those who want to keep them collectible. The hands-off cars include the following.
| MODEL | REASON |
| ’79 Indy Pace Car | There are few left and parts are
hard to find |
| ’82 GT | First of the late-model GTs—
Editor Turner will cry his eyes out if
he sees one that’s been tubbed |
| ’83 Turbo GT Convertible | Few made, and it’s a four-cylinder |
| ’85 GT | Last year for the carburetor |
| ’84-’86 SVO | Short model run, and parts are
drying up |
| ’93 Cobra R | Only 107 sold |
| ’94 Indy Pace Car | Any Pace Car deserves pampering |
| ’95 Cobra R | Cheaper to build your own |
| ’00 Cobra R | If you can afford one, you can
afford to buy a beater along with it
and go crazy on it |
| Any Saleen Model | Still commands premium prices—
build your own clone and call it
yours |
Close calls
'83 GT Convertible (nonturbo)
'8411/42 20th Anniversary
'90 Emerald Green LX 7UP Convertible
'92-'93 Limited-Edition Vibrant Red, Chrome Yellow, and Bright White
Convertibles
'93 Cobra (non-R)
'94-'95 Cobra
'96 Mystic Cobra
'99 35th Anniversary
'03 Cobra [We know you will anyway!-Ed.]
Fortunes for Fame
If we had a buck for every time someone asked us this question, we could've retired by now. So, rather than tell you how not to get your Mustang onto these pages-such as by showing us your lowered, chrome-wheel-lip-molding-wearin', skateboard-looking, velour interior- sportin', metalflake-sparklin' ride-we'll give you a few tips on how to get your Mustang in the hallowed pages of 5.0&SF.