PROJECT CAR STORY
pg 3

            We’re pretty sure this car would fall into the street/strip genre. Since it is street driven regularly there’s really no excuse for not incorporating an overdriven top gear, say like what’s in a 700R-4. For now, Mark plies a 3,500rpm stall speed converter against that Turbo 350. The third member is a 9-inch with a mini-spool and 4.10:1 gears. The mini is a very cost effective way to produce positive traction but it hinges on the stock internals. Mark, do you enjoy the engine singing at 3,200 at highway speed? The price of petrol isn’t going down soon. An OD tranny would make you feel on vacation. That new 2.88:1 top gear would relax you as well as the engine, and maybe it would entice you into driving it for longer distances.

PERFORMANCE

            The mild 383 is a satisfying rudimentary power module. Puts out 312hp at the wheels and enough torque to make Mark’s driving experience always smooth.

CHASSIS

            Sub-frame and collateral pieces were sand blasted and assembled with Energy Suspension bushings and the body was settled down on it with solid mounts. There are no frame connectors because Mark doesn’t feel the need them right now. He planted NOS stock springs and Competition Engineering shocks between the stock control arms. At the rear of the car, he retained the mono-leaf springs and stymied everything but forward motion with Southside Machine bars.                               

WHEELS & BRAKES

            Mark economized temporarily by using bigger drums on the rear axle and setting up the front with calipers and spindles from a ’72 Monte Carlo. The rotors carry a ’70 GTO part number. An effective combo for not a lot of bucks, folks. Yesteryear spins back on American Torq-Thrust D wheels (15x5, 8.5) set with BFG 165R skinnies and some long, tall 255/70Rs. An attractive but minimally invasive way to stuff a wild wheel arch.   

INSIDE

            A vintage 3-spoke steering wheel is hawked by Auto Meter gauges and is a good complement for the Year One seat covers and full interior kit (carpet, door panels, sail panels, headliner, and sill plates) as blocked out by buddy Marlon Boring. Mark rolls gears with a B&M Street Bandit shifter.

BODY

            Before everything else, Mark replaced the floor pans, the trunk floor, both quarter panels, and the tail pan. In the meanwhile, he found an RS donor for the headlight doors and bought a new grille and trim. J.R. Carnes sprayed the car a ’95 Mustang Electric Current Red right there in Mark’s hometown.