These questions naturally led to experimentation and lots of practice. Some approaches were applied while others were tossed aside. Jay knew he wanted a radical small-block Ford commanding attention and respect. He went with an exceptionally bumpy Crane hydraulic camshaft for that traditional "rumpity-rump-rump" idle we associate with an old hot rod. He pulled the car's original 302, building a nice short-block with Speed-Pro forged aluminum flat-top pistons, shot-peened and reconditioned connecting rods, dynamic balancing, and a hot cam. World Products Windsor aluminum cylinder heads fitted with 2.02/1.60-inch valves vector and contain the action. A dual-quad F28 Edelbrock intake manifold packing a couple of Edelbrock 650-cfm atomizers makes things exciting.
Jay will tell you his engine-building experience did not go well. He wound up with too much cam going in-great for high-rpm racing, but miserable for street use. It had that radical idle he desired, but it was a dog at low rpm. It lacked the good low-end torque he wanted and needed on the street. That's a lesson for any of us planning a restomod. Cam, cylinder head, and induction system selection is crucial to building an engine you can live with. Jay opted for a milder flat-tappet Edelbrock hydraulic camshaft, keeping the rest of the engine virtually the same. Though the engine employs a smoother idle, it still isn't where Jay would like it because he still needs to fine-tune component compatibility. Dual-quads always look terrific, however they aren't always practical for street use. Larger 2.02 intake valves can sometimes be too large, which can adversely affect torque on the street. Valve shrouding is yet another issue when valves become too large-sometimes hurting power in the process.
Let's face it, this isn't a car for running to the market or Saturday night cruising-it is pure, unadulterated eyewash Jay and the family trailers just about everywhere because it is all about show. It goes on ramps above mirrors so you can see just about everything possible underneath. It is a remarkable display of thought, planning, and craftsmanship.
Jay didn't think much of the Mustang's factory coilover-upper arm front suspension system. He opted instead for a custom-built, Art Morrison full-frame underneath, giving the car more of a street/race demeanor. This eliminated the obtrusive shock towers and Falcon-style suspension system. It changed the whole personality of his once daily transportation. Those are Ford binders visible through the polished Budnik wheels wrapped in Michelin rubber. In back, an Art Morrison four-link coilover suspension system replaces those original leafs. A Flaming River rack-and-pinion steering system rounds out those awesome underpinnings.
The House of Kolor Midnight Blue Pearl finish changes color depending on the light. In bright sun, it fluoresces in a pearlescent glow that just takes your breath away. This is the same House of Kolor hue we laid down on a '66 Mustang in Mustang & Fords three years ago. Color depth is determined by how much Blue Pearl we lay down over the black basecoat-the more blue, the lighter the color. We're convinced Jay applied just one coat of Blue Pearl to achieve perfection. Then he applied several coats of rich clear to give him room for color sanding and rubout.
Surely Jay and Jan couldn't have imagined what this daily driver Mustang would become decades later as their children came of age. The Bryners view their extraordinary '69 Mustang hardtop as a rolling symbol of family unity because this is where they began some 33 years ago. That makes this Mustang a family heirloom to be treasured for generations to come.