Inside, the main changes are the shifter, steering wheel, gauges and stereo tuner. Pull them and the Palomino interior is bone stock.
The performance upgrades enhance the retro look without sacrificing the vintage looks. But, with a modified, one change leads to another and there are many changes. You have to be part designer, part builder, part mechanic, and downright dedicated to get the car just right. Greer had boxed the lower A-arms to make them stiffer. Jerry took those off and installed upper and lower A-arms from Global West as they are much stronger and stiffer. He didn't mess with the Koni shocks and five-leaf rear springs in the back.
The longer Pitman arm, la the original '65 GT350, made the steering a little quicker. The new Flaming River box took all the "slop" out of the steering and was a major improvement. Jerry also added the Baer Claw disc brakes. The rotors measure 12 inches in diameter in the front, and 11 inches in the rear.
Jerry feels as though the car is now done. The high-performance engine is balanced with a tight, modern suspension, worthy of such a high-performance modified. The car will also do one thing that's more important than getting from 0-60 mph, and that's going from 60-0 mph.
Jerry mostly drives his modified to cruises and car shows, where it has won almost every show entered. "I was surprised to win at Nashville, at the 40th, from Mustang & Fords," Jerry says. "I think it's because it's a tastefully done car." There's a line builders cross that separates the best modifieds from the also-rans. Knowing that line and not crossing it is the secret to building cars like Jerry's that win shows.