In continuing with The Mustang Stop's tradition of featuring members's Mustangs, September's Featured Car is owned by Dennis Severs (Thunderbolt64). It is a Black 1989 LX Notchback. Dennis' Mustang is exactly what this hobby is all about. It is an example of how we, as hobbyists, can take a car,  some parts, a modest budget and make something that is more then just the sum of all the parts. Too often today hobbyist are not taking an active roll in the build up of their car, but not Dennis.

Dennis recalls how it all started "It was kinda funny how this all started. I was looking in our classifieds and noticed a few of the Foxbody Mustangs (early 2003), and I mentioned to my wife that I would like to fix one up to drive. I missed one I had sold a few years before. Her response was 'well, do it'. So I started looking at different cars, nice one were out of my price range, and the rough ones were really rough.
I decided the best route was to find a decent 4cyl car, and do V-8 swap. My Step daughter was dating this kid at the time that had a 4cyl coupe they were trying to get rid of. I purchased this car and brought it home."

"Then I started looking for a donor car. I found '91 hatch with a wrecked front end. Motor was strong, but the AOD was toast. Not a big deal, because I was going 5-speed manual. The donor car gave up the engine, brakes, rearend, drivers side quarter panel, the dash, and all the wiring. Always get all the wiring when doing a swap like this. It makes everything much easier."

With most of the donor parts harvested from the wrecked '91 Dennis' attention turned to the engine. With about 100K miles on it, he decided it would be a "good idea to freshen it up" but we all know how that goes. Dennis said one thing turned into another, and before you know it, it was turned into a 347. With a bigger bottom end the next step is a better top end, so an entire Edlebrock Performer package found it's way onto the block, Edelbrock Performer heads, intake, and 70mm Throttle body. Valve timing events are controlled by a Comp Cams Xtreme Energy Hydraulic Roller cam, and a 75mm Pro M Mass Air Meter handles the metering chores. Since the intake was improved it would make no sense not to do the same with the exhaust, so BBK full length headers, x-pipe, and MAC cat back mufflers handle the exhaust chores. All this gets funneled through a 5-Spd manual transmission, aluminum drive shaft and 3.55 gears.

While Dennis waited for the machine shop to prep the block for the new internals, he turned his attention to the body. Using doner sheet metal from the '91 he repaired the damaged  rear quarter panel, and continued to prep the body for paint. The only body additions being a Cobra R fiberglass hood and a Blue Oval Industries spoiler. All this is covered in House of Kolor sealer primer and three coats of Black.

As you can see from the photos, this was not done in some state of the art paint booth. In keeping true to hot rodding tradition all this was done in his own garage, by Dennis himself. "It turned out pretty good for my first time" he says "I submitted a couple of photos to MM&FF hoping to get a mention in Reader's Ride. I was very surprised when they wanted to do a photo shoot on the car. So I drove it to Atlanta and had a blast down there"

Dennis drove the car for another two years before picking up a 2004 Mustang. At that time he noticed that the clear coat was starting to come up in a few places,so he enlisted the help of a real painter to redo the paint. The conclusion was that solvent pop had occoured, causing the paint to come up in a few places. The solution was to strip it back down and repaint. Dennis also took this down time to  change the car over to five lug hubs and added the Street Lite Billet Specialties wheels. It also has a little more gear in it but he keeping how much a secret. Dennis says he plans on taking the car to mostly week end shows, but admits it may make a few passes at the local strip. 

If you would like to ask thunderbolt64 (Dennis) any questions about his car, go here, a free forum membership is required.

If you want to have your Mustang Featured at The Mustang Stop, follow the instructions in this article.