How did this foray into the addictive Mustang modification scene begin? In the late 90's it started with an eager 16 year old and $1,200 dollars. In the beginning there wasn't even an interest in automobiles, that all changed when the owner of a 1988 Mustang GT started the car for this potential buyer. It was love at first sound.

Over the next few years the modifications started out innocent enough: removing the air silencer, adding a Flowmaster exhaust and underdrive pullies. That didn't last long, however, as the 'Stang bug began working its way through the system. Soon money was being saved and spent on Cobra R 17 inch rims, a turbo rear wing, Mach 1 cowl hood, C&L cold air kit, Eibach progressive rate springs, KYB shocks, MAC shorty headers, and off-road h-pipe.

During the first part of the new millennium the 'disease' was in full effect and the modifications grew. A new 306 short block was installed with all the goodies including Trick Flow aluminum racing heads, 1.72 roller rockers, Trick Flow upper and lower intake, 70MM throttle body, upgraded fuel pump, electric fan and 3 core radiator. After several close calls with the inadequate braking system, a 1988 Turbocoupe rear was found, refinished and installed. The upgrade to full disk brakes and 3.55 gears provided a powerful 1-2 punch. A Cervinis Stalker front bumper, new black dash and interior from a '91 was purchased and installed along with Recaro seats from a Volkswagen Rabbit (fitted with custom made brackets). 

Everything was great, until one day when the Mustang went for an alignment and couldn't be brought into spec, even with Maximum Motorsports caster/camber plates. That's when the stress cracks in the engine bay became blaringly apparent. Further investigation revealed that a poor reconstruction from an R-title had permanently sealed this unibody's fate.

Without hesitation a donor car was found, a 1984 Mustang GL with 30,000 miles purchased for $100, and the work began. The Mustang went up on jacks and the deconstruction commenced. Everything came out and the old, highly unsafe unibody was taken for scrap. The gutting process was then repeated for the 1984 GL; a quick and dirty task at this point. During this time, another donor car was purchased for the AOD to T5 conversion.

For two years the rebuild process dragged on as life's priorities changed (and rightly so); a new house was purchased and marriage was on the horizon.

After working on the Mustang rebuild for over 3 years, a new plan was needed. After seeing the amount of time and money it would require to bring the almost 20 year old Mustang up to today's standards, and with the new S197 Mustang being released, the choice was obvious. The 1988 T5 donor Mustang was fixed and sold. The 1984 GL frame was taken for scrap and all the remaining performance parts were parted out. After about 6 months the money was used as a down-payment on an order for a brand new 2006 Tungsten Grey Mustang GT.

So how does this tale end? That's the thing about the 'Stang, there is no end . . . you see it's much easier to remove new bolts than 20 year old rusted bolts.