It's all metal and all purple. Hey, it's her favorite color and happened to be painted Plymouth Prowler Purple when we found it. It had just been painted.
The picture of the car is darker than it actually is. The engine is the exact same color for comparison.
The white background horse in the grill lights up. It is tacky by day but kick-butt at night. Removed it anyways and put the original chrome horse back in. I'll rig up a removeable reflector to use in it's place with a bulb behind the chrome horse. Best of both worlds, day and night!
Thanks GMack. The previous owner took care of the sheetmetal, paint, and carpet, seat covers, and interior door panels. I've done everything else to the car including the engine compartment. I also design and machined the valve covers (bought diecast aluminium ones but I machined the text), wire looms with the stampeding Mustangs, and custom speaker grills pictured below.
The only thing I didn't do to the car was rebuild the tranny and rear axle. Friends of mine did that for me, they do it for a living. I did install the rear axle, replacing the original 6 cylinder one. Otherwise I put on all new springs, shocks, bumpers, gas tank and filler neck, door handles inside and out, brakes all around, rims and tires, misc. chrome, dashpad, instrument cluster and matching glovebox door, shifter, and a miriad of other things including the heater system.
Here's the custom speaker grills I designed and machined. No, they are not available. My wife has the only set in the world, and she likes it that way. They are in the rear package shelf.
The whole car? I couldn't tell you! Too many to keep track of.
In 2004 I took a week off of work before going to a car show (All Ford Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, largest in country) and I had been doing a lot of work on it before that. For an entire week I worked on it 14 hours a day and every waking moment that I was home (not at work) before that. That's when I was replacing the rear end, all springs, tank, bumpers, etc.
This year I worked on the engine and engine compartment. I had lots of problems with suppliers not knowing how to do their job. It was very frustrating and added months (I can't work on it as often as I would like) to the job. I didn't have it done in time for that car show this year, again another marathon week of 14 hour days trying to get it done in time. Also the whole project seemed to fight me every 1/4 inch of the way!
This year I did the entire engine and engine compartment, replaced the heater box and blower, installed an electric fan, headers, and some other things I am sure. I still have to weld in subframe connectors.
Next year we are getting new doors and associated pieces. The ones on it now are about the only things that haven't been replaced and they have lots of surface rust on the insides and are bubbling the paint in a couple places on the outside, so I just want to get all new, rust free doors and then the car should be complete......after I replace the windshield too. It is rough on the surface and just will not clean up due to exposure for 40 years. We already have all new seals and chrome for the front and rear windows.....
....and then she also wants the 1966 Shelby hood with scoop.....
Labor of love? Well, I do appreciate the feeling of accomplishment. Thre was a serious reason behind getting the car and doing to it what I've done.
1. I do like doing these kinds of things to a car.
2. Most importantly...when I decided I wanted to import an XB to Ohio I knew I had to smooth out the path, so to speak. So I got the wife's car that she has always wanted first and I am making it just how she wants it, and perhaps a little more even. Then when it was time to get my car and to start spending money on it I didn't have to listen to any complaining or opposition from her. Hey, she's got her's right? So it's only fair I have mine. So far it's worked perfectly. I paid for the car and to get it here from Australia, paid for the Mad Max body kit, ordered custom rims, and this week the zoomie exhaust pipes will be arriving at my house. Not one word from her and it's nice to not have to argue your point.
We also enjoy attending cruises together, each with our own vehicle.
Thanks again for the compliments, I am very proud fo it so far.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
My Flick'r Account
GMACK24's Myspace
They are in the rear package shelf.
Linear Mode
