EXP500

[mert]

Body work has stalled after rust repairs were completed, as the shop is busy with other cars, and there's no hurry to spend the coin.. but these just came in today and looked so good I had to post them...





The 428PI intake arrived too... "most" of the parts are in-hand, once the shop gets some breathing room prep for paint can begin... hoping to have it done to show by next October...

[moe]

very nice!!!!!!

[mert]

Custom set done by Python Restorations in the US. Hard to find dark green (close up shows black against the green) with deluxe '68 buckles and '69 Shelby button inserts....

[mwizz]

nice

[mert]

Starting point, 68 X code coupe.

8F01X

Dearborn, 390-2V, May 20, 68 build date

Lime Gold, Ivy Gold Standard Interior, 2.75 open rear, C6

Black paint stripe, F70x14 wide ovals, whitewall, PDB, PS, AM, Deluxe wheel covers

[mert]

Inital work post strip, found more rust than expected, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Worst was peeled open cowl which had been "gooped" to "fix" the rust... similar both sides





Cowl cut back, patched on both sides, resealed





Miscellaneous other rust in passenger floor, drip rails, wheel arches (front and rear in both rear wheelwells), battery apron, rear window lower corners, and a few other minor areas cut out and patched.

As she sits now...

[mert]

The plan is to look like this....



Stroked 390, 428PI intake, Projection or similar TBI setup, 428CJ Heads and exh manifolds, 2 1/4" OEM style transverse exhaust. R servo C6. 3.25 Tru-trac rear. Ram-air hood.

PS, PDB, AC (debating Classic Air or similar as OEM is a PITA to install and maintain). Mostly OEM suspension w/roller prerches and Shelby drop. Bilsteins.

Deluxe Ivy Gold interior, w/OEM comfort weave inserts, TMI sport seat foams. Custom Shelby console w/SW Green Lines (oil, temp, amps), tilt away, AM/8-track. Custom Jarrah dash inserts. Upper console w/custom Jarrah insert. Custom color, "similar" to Highland Green, but a bit darker with more gold highlights and an almost black "flip".

All Shelby bits/fiberglass and taillights. Some custom badging (modifed 428CJ Badge to match stoker size). Black vinyl roof (not original spray on type).

Debating modified mounts for Marchal lights from OEM pedestal style to have "floating" lights in the grille.. fabrication TBD.

Should be a fun project!

[nassi]

Looks like a nice project, and an "X" code, thats only the 2nd I know off.
How common were they Richard?

[mert]

Not very. Only 733 X codes, all automatics, mostly hardtops, some fastbacks and a few convertibles. (numbers courtesy of Kevin Marti and Mustang by the Numbers).

As the engine and trans were 69's (but still a 2V 390) not original I did not have too much trouble pulling them and setting them aside (they are for sale).

An example of a "rare", but not highly desireable, car where low numbers don't mean high prices...

[ozbilt]

I like the way that your project "also" started out as a Lime Gold coupe.

Shame the independent rear end would be such a pain the ass (as well as cost) as your car then would be real close to the Green Hornet.

[nassi]

Interesting, the other I was aware of was a fastback. It dosnt have its original drive train either, its now a 428.

[ozbilt]

BTW, the real one (if you want it mert ..... ) will go through the BJ Auction in Scottsdale in January 2013.

Interesting to see what it brings.

[mert]

Yeah, but not a GT/CS. I did buy one to use as the mule for this, but it is such a tidy little driver, and pretty original, I kept it as-is. Woulda had to toss the entire small block drive train, but di have the Shelby rear fiberglass. As a big block this had more parts that were needed for the project and adding the rear fibergalss is pretty easy, lower cost than engine to diff....

I'll spend enough on this, but nowhere near the million plus the "original" will go for. If I win the Lotto... ;-)

Looked at IRS but the cost/benefit was not worth it. There is a mob in the US that sells a bolt-in setup, but at 7k or so, plus shipping, plus duty/tax a ~10k investment for something that will make almost zero differnce in general road driving and a cost I'll put into the stroker!

[chopmgw]

Nice one mert.
Cant wait to see this one.

[hybrid]

Nice job on that cowl!