In order to get the car this low to the ground, a fair amount of re-engineering was required. Much of it is hush-hush, but Mike did admit to us that he had steering arms fabricated, added different spindles and reworked a bunch of Total Control Products parts up front, then cut the Air Ride bar out back. The end result is a stance that is absolutely dumped in the weeds. Mike even fabricated a 3⁄16-inch stainless steel skidplate that would help protect the oil pan from more than the occasional ant crossing the road.The original '69 SportsRoof is a dramatic yet subtle extension of the '65-'68 Mustang fastback with it's longer hood and rear window lines. This is why Mike Gerace of Hot Rodifications chose it to modify for his wife Dianne. "She puts up with me doing this all hours of the day, so the least I could do was build her a hot rod," Mike explained. Taking an already fantastic Ford and turning it into a menacing emissary with the scowl and stance of a crouching mongoose is a feat in itself. When it's done properly, the result is pure hot rod magic.
The Details
Mike and Dianne Gerace's '69 Mustang SportsRoof
Engine
428 Cobra Jet
Edelbrock aluminum heads
Edelbrock intake manifold
750-cfm Speed Demon carburetor
MSD Pro Billet distributor
MSD 6AL ignition
FPA ceramic coated headers
Be Cool aluminum radiator
Transmission
C6 three-speed automatic
Rearend
9-inch axle
Traction-Lok differential
4.11 gears
Suspension
Front: Total Control Products tubular A-arms and strut rods, Randall's rack-and-pinion, Air Ride Technologies Shock Waves
Rear: Air Ride Technologies Air Bar and Shock Waves
Brakes
Front: Baer Racing Track Kit, 13-inch cross-drilled/slotted rotor, two-piston aluminum caliper
Rear: Baer Racing Track Kit, 13-inch cross-drilled/slotted rotor, single-piston aluminum caliper
Tires
Front: Michelin, P265/35ZR19
Rear: Michelin, P315/35ZR20
Wheels
Front: Bonspeed Huntington, 19x9
Rear: Bonspeed Huntington, 20x12
Interior
Saleen bucket seats, Auto Meter gauges in stock cluster
Exterior
Ford Vermillion Red base/clear, rear-wheel openings enhanced for 20-inch rims and rear wheel house mini-tubbed, rear end narrowed for wheel fitment, shaved sideview mirrors and antenna, original shaker hood