Hello all. Wanted to take a few minutes and introduce myself. Name is Mark, from a little town in northern IL. Been a gear head since I was a kid. I'm a ford guy, always have been, always will be. However, I was turned on to fieros by a buddy of mine. I love my mustangs but with my budget (wife,2 kids...) I just couldn't get them to where I wanted them. Plus I've always had a "secret" desire to see what these little cars were all about. One thing led to another, sold both my mustangs and picked up this 86 GT, auto. Payed $600 for the car, extra engine (complete) and he swapped the crappy chevy rims that were on it for a stock set of rims. After a little work and fixing/ replacing things I was driving it. Though it still has small issues, it doesn't run half bad. Quickly decided that she needed some customizing and picked the interior to start with. Here are some pictures.
1st on the agenda was to get rid of the TALL T handle shifter. Cut it down and made a new push button shifter knob (did I mention besides being a mechanic, I'm also a machinist) and plate to go around shifter. Ends up the shifter doesn't move in a straight line. That's why the plate is angled (to be fixed later)
Next I decided I didn't like the ashtray's or power mirror switch. And the window switches are to far apart/ not in a comfortable place. So it was time for a whole new plate. Here are some pictures to show the steps
Next up was to install my deck. BUT, I didn't like it down on the bottom. So, I decided to change things a little
Looks like it should fit ok..
After a little "massaging", it fits good.
Now for the surround plate.
Finally a semi finished job. Extended the wires for one of the switches so it could easily be unplugged when lifting the plate up. Still need to hook up the push button start and devise a way to do away with the key all together.
I am thinking about just omitting it completely. The drivers side doesn't work with the switch and I don't use them anyway. Right now it is just tucked away under the new plate.
Looking good, I like the custom work on the shifter plate.
I hope I do not offend you, but you are a female? I see the legs, painted toe nails and pink flip flops. Not many female's on here, and a nice addition to the forum!
Looking good, I like the custom work on the shifter plate.
I hope I do not offend you, but you are a female? I see the legs, painted toe nails and pink flip flops. Not many female's on here, and a nice addition to the forum!
Thanks, and nope not a female, that's my youngest daughter (6 yrs old). She likes to help when I'm working on the car.
Innovative use of plexiglass. I made some covers out of plexi, but I left it clear for the effect.
We take a lot of grief for collecting these relatively uncollectible cars. But they are a lot cheaper than Mustangs. But we have almost no aftermarket. You can build a 'Stang completely out of a catalog if you got the cash. Here we have to be a little more creative.
