While I still have big plans to upgrade PVT inside and out, these are a few of the cool upgrades I've added to the outside of the car along the way.
The stock S197 antenna is simply too long and stands out like a sore thumb. Fortunately, Moss Mustang has a variety of shorty antennas, and I picked the smoked chrome unit (PN 002-539; $20.95) to trim a bit of height and add some style.
Since PVT is one of my prized possessions, it only makes sense to protect it as much as possible. Between the beating sun and the pouring rain, it can be tough to keep it clean. As such, one of the first things I acquired for the car was a WeatherShield HP car cover (PN C16968PG) from Covercraft. Emblazoned with the coiled Cobra logo, this cover not only helps keep the car clean and shield it from the solar oven, it also does an amazing job keeping the car dry during our daily afternoon monsoons. I get grief for covering PVT, but I feel so much better when I do.
Not counting all the mods installed before I even picked up PVT, the absolute first modification I installed on the car was a real carbon-fiber tag frame from Tag Armur (PN 114261; $49.95). Not only is this unit built from my favorite composite material, it features a clear polycarbonate shield over the tag, hides the attachment bolts, and provides a bit of security for my vanity plate. It requires a special tool to remove the shield, so it's more difficult for someone to lift your plate or registration sticker. But let's face it, the best part is that it looks cool and keeps the tag nice and clean.
Along with JLT's way-cool underhood carbon-fiber bits, I also installed the company's carbon-fiber mirror covers (PN CFMC-M05+; $129). These are a subtle, classy upgrade for the larger mirrors on the S197 and are dead-simple to install. Just prep the surface with an alcohol pad, let it dry, then stick on the mirror covers. If you don't like carbon fiber, you might want to stop reading the PVT stories, as there's more to come for this ride.
The headlights and taillights really stand out against PVT's Vapor Silver paint. To tone them down a bit, I selected smoked headlight (PN 055-789; $54.95) and taillight (PN 055-786; $59.95) tint kits from Moss Mustang. If you've ever tinted windows, you'll find these thick, precut pieces are a breeze to install. Simply clean the lights, spray them with water spiked by a bit of dish detergent, position the tint, and squeegee out the water and bubbles. Only the fog lights required a bit of heat persuasion, and the result is a far more menacing look.