Okay, so Jamie is a bit of a nag, and didn't sell for what she should have.  Here's a list of replacement possibilities, adjusted for reality of the sale...


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As of 09.16.07, a list of 66/77 Mercury Comets, 67 Ford Galaxies, and 66/67 Ford Fairlane 500s up as candidates for replacement of the Pony...



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So after several weeks of torturous research (def: dreaming of spending money that I don't have), I've at least consistently invisioned the '69 Coupe, henceforth known as Jamie, with lowered suspension. I'm not of a mind to think it could actually be "too low", and the tools are out there in abundance for lowering. Except that they're all for small-blocks, and I'm running a 390. Laurel Mountain Mustang, I believe, has a warning to "call for all big block applications" in their suspension kits. National Parts Depot, however, has something specifically for not only a big-block, but a 390. The downside of that is that NPD doesn't sell as complete of kits as Mustangs Plus does. The Mustangs Plus kits are nice, and priced nicely for the packaging.

But the packaging altogether is expensive. Amy already hates the car, dumping a couple thousand dollars at one time (on something she can't even SEE, at that) is not the way to endear her toward it more. So, for the sake of my marriage, I'll be taking the rebuild in small, cheap, projects.

The worst right now, and the easiest to isolate into a nice, compact (and CHEAP!) project, would be the rear suspension. That would entail (2) leaf springs, (2) polyurethane shackle sets, (2) front eye polyurethane bushing sets, (2) leaf spring front eye bolts, (4) U-bolts, (2) rear shocks, and (1) rear sway bar assembly.

Let's price that out...


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After exploring the variety of directions I could go with Jaime, The Ridiculon 4000, I'm pretty sure I've narrowed down the key design elements she is to eventually receive.

Suspension:
Beyond the urgent issues (stopping the oil and transmission leakage) and getting the doors and windows straightened out, the first thing to be addressed is the suspension. With the exception of possibly the front coil springs, nearly everything suspension-wise would be better suited with a replacing. Doing so is the .perfect opportunity to change her stance.




That stance is downright sick. But I am thinking that not possible for Jaime, as the 390 big block is heavier, bigger and the hooker headers are already eating into the ground clearance.

Keeping the silver sportback in mind, here are a few more that may be more feasible.





So now I have to look at what it's going to take to get there.

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The Ridiculon 4000 was born a 200 Sprint car, a T-Code. It has since evolved over previous ownership to a clone of a 1969 S-Type with a 390 Big Block and a C-6 3-speed automatic to match. Edelbrock 4-barrel carb and intake. Hooker headers.

As I see things, there's this: a vehicle is only original once. The Ridiculon 4000 is nowhere close to original, and really, not worth working toward for in a true "restoration."

And that's liberating.

I like the look of the 1969 Coupe, especially the plain hardtop "notchback." The hood of the American Shelby is tacky, a schoolgirl trying too hard. The vinyl roof of the American Grande and Mexican Shelby is gaudy, an overweight whore in leather pants. The striping of the Mach 1, Boss and Shelby are uninspired, a design by a workman and not an artisan. The fastbacks are nice, really nice, but people can't seem to keep from putting the louver over the back window, and/or adding a kite of a spoiler to the deck in an attempt to emulate the Mach 1.

It makes one sigh.

The 1969 Mustang Coupe is the only trim that retains the unmistakeable Mustang look. It's sleeker than previous models, the pointed nose a knife on the butter of the street. It's menacing, but unmistakably a Pony car. The unadorned Sportback is the only one that shares this feature.

Aside from the Shelby de Mexico based on the Coupe (with possibly the vinyl roofing avoided), there is nothing in 1969 worth emulating in a restoration.
v Liberated from those constraints, I've found some directions that I feel respect the unique look the 1969 Mustang Coupe added to the collection of Mustang faces.

1) GT Striping is the sole exception to the general loss of aesthetic appeal in 1969, being as it was centered lower and didn't dominate the door. The following is a paint scheme that evokes the GT, aided by the adding of the non-functional GT hood scoop. I like this look. It doesn't overpower what is unique about the Coupe.




2) Eleanor. Yeah, she was either a '73 Mach 1 or a '68 Fastback. If I wouldn't have seen this myself, I wouldn't have thought a 1969 Coupe could "go Eleanor" either. This car was found, already sold but the account never taken down, on CarDomain.com. This is inspired.






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From the Shelby American World Registry

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The story of Shelby de Mexico, first-hand account.
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