The modification process isn't all about making a few "love taps" on the rear wheelwells.
We suggest using a piece of 2x4-inch wood to really get the inner edge to conform.
We like to make sure the tires don't come in contact with any metal under the car, so we spent a great deal of time shaping the area and creating more than enough clearance on the front and back sides.
For comparison's sake, here's a look at the back of our coupe with a 315/35ZR-17 mounted on the 17x10-inch wheel (left) and a 17x9-inch-mounted 275/40ZR-17 (right).
...and here's the aggressive look that our project car now has with its big rear wheels and tires planted firmly on the ground.
One thing we really dig is the fact that 3-inch wheel studs have plenty of room for a clean fit underneath the Pony R's slick center caps.
Sure, our T-top coupe is without many things common to most street 'Stangs-namely a full exhaust system; standard rear shocks and coil springs; and in some instances, the original quad-shock system-but achieving this look is still possible for these cars, as the main modification is only the adjustment of the inner fenderwells. Removing the quad shocks is mandatory, and you may have to check for proper e-brake cable and tailpipe clearance, which can be achieved by rotating these pieces or moving them out of the way.
As Editor Steve Turner would say, Mavromont's big 'n' littles 17-inch Pony R setup is "the hotness" on a Fox-body 'Stang. We finished up just as the SoCal winter rain returned, which prevented us from adjusting the rear coilovers to bring the back of the coupe down a bit for a level ride height. The front springs don't require any adjustment. You can bet we'll make the suspension tweak as soon as it's dry again, and we'll be out on the road, cruising and turning heads with the project car's sinister new look.