1989 Ford Mustang LX

1987 E7TE 302: Full oiling system replaced with Milodon equipment, including oil pan; MSD 8352 distributor and TFI-style coil; Weiand manifold; Brawler carburetor; Frostbite radiator/shroud/fan; some kind of shorty headers purchased off of Facebook.

1998 T-5: Filed wear burrs off of gear teeth; new 2nd gear; Centerforce clutch; new flywheel, pivot stud, flywheel bolts and pilot bearing; 1994 Mustang 5.0L bellhousing and clutch fork; Ford Racing adjustable crossmember

1989 MUSTANG LX: Spec-D one-piece headlights; 140-MPH speedometer cluster conversion; Drake Muscle Cars quarter windows; 5.0 Resto fuel tank, fuel pump, hangar, and lock rings

Meet the most unworthy Fox body Mustang to ever get a second chance at life. Originally a four-cylinder/automatic that did not want to hurt anybody, this poor pony wound up crashed once or twice up front before going for a swim at some point in its lifetime. It was slated to be converted into a drag racer but at the last minute, the decision was made to take the high-dollar rear axle out, stuff in some unwanted 8.8 underneath, and sell the shell off to some unsuspecting sucker. Well, call me Captain Save-A-Ho, because this beast got dragged to my house for a couple hundred bucks. With parts left over from a 5-lug conversion on a different car, two 302s on engine stands, and proof that Chrysler products are haunted by personal demons, I decided to tackle the automotive equivalent of a Playskool My First vehicle. The 2.3L four-cylinder had so much water inside of it that a fountain appeared when the dipstick was pulled out...so that was trashed. The carpet had a tide mark visible...so that was trashed. Whoever applied the tint to the rear window needs to be drawn and quartered. But overall...it could be in worse shape. The electrical system is intact except under the hood, there is no rot-level rust (where I live, that’s a miracle) and as of this upload, the engine is a runner. There is still work to be done, like a custom-made transmission mount (SN-95 Mustangs do not bolt into Fox body Mustangs without anger and a welder handy), suspension work, and an interior that is not a CDC-rated hazard. But as of that startup video, I still have over $1,800 left out of a $5,000 total budget to build this car. And the end result will be one ugly Mustang that I can daily-drive and race on the road course with, completely guilt-free from the stigma of wrecking a classic or some idiot walking up, thinking that they are about to buy into an investment car.