January 9-10, Silver Springs, FL

• 16th annual Ford and Mustang Roundup at Silver Springs, hosted by National Parts Depot and co-sponsored by Mustang Monthly and Modified Mustangs & Fords magazines.
• Free registration to first 1,000 pre-registered cars by January 1, which includes two passes to Silver Springs. People's Choice judging, Mustang Monthly, Modified Mustangs & Fords Editor's choice awards.
• Info: Stacy Gunn, 352/861-8701 (ext. 4208) or email to sgunn@npdlink.com.

Jim Curry's '92 Feature Mustang LX 5.0l Convertible
A set of angel wings and a halo in "MOM" air brushed around the trunk lock are a subtle key to Jim Curry's '92 Feature Mustang. Ford built these limited edition convertibles in 1992 and 1993-one variant was the Vibrant Red convertible you see here. Are they collectible? "Absolutely," Jim Curry said. This didn't stop him from modifying his Feature Mustang to his personality. However, radical changes to the Fox body were not part of his agenda. He replaced the original plastic decklid and fender badges-LX and 5.0-with airbrushed versions. Just about as subtle is the taillight swap-'93 Cobra lenses in place of the stock LX versions. Jim considers them a cool upgrade.inline_mediumwraptextright25492721/featuredvehicles/mdmp_0912_1992_mustang_lx_convertiblemdmp_0912_11_+1992_mustang_lx+front_headlights.jpgTrue

February 7, Deland, FL

• Inaugural Cruise-In hosted by Central Florida Pony Sports at Hampton's Drive-In, 250 International Speedway Blvd.
• All vehicles welcome.
• Info: www.cflponysports.com

Matt Neuharth of Nash-ville, Tennessee, is a Southern gentleman and drag racer at heart. He is also the ambitious owner of this very cool '95 V-6 Mustang. The truth is that you can find good solid six-cylinder Mustangs for a reasonable price and they can be a real value-packed platform. That's what Matt was thinking when he started with his V-6 Mustang project. He had it in his mind to create a Mustang that he could take to the digs and put on a good show, but also wanted to march to the beat of a different drummer. When he was asked why he decided to make a racer out of a six-cylinder car he began by saying that everybody asks him that same question. In addition to the fact that it's easy to find an affordable six-cylinder car in great condition for much less than the cost of a GT version, he had the desire to create something truly unique. He also says that he enjoys situations where his opponent is an overconfident owner of a V-8 powered Mustang or some other unsus-pecting fodder.inline_mediumwraptextright30633177/featuredvehicles/mdmp_0911_1995_mustang_coupemdmp_0911_09_+1995_mustang_coupe+front_side_angle.jpgTrue

Tech | Exhaust Upgrade Practicality sometimes gets in the way of driving a Mustang on the daily commute, so many of us have to resort to more prosaic forms of transportation (but that's OK: it keeps the "toys" fresh for weekend or after-hours enjoyment). In my own case, the latest driver is an '09 Fusion SEL V-6, and I suspect I'm not alone amongst the readers of this magazine in choosing Ford's midsize, agile, and affordable sedan for its many practical virtues. Not to mention that it's a pretty handsome ride. Though I don't really need its four doors and generous rear seat area, that huge trunk swallows all my photo gear and the Fusion's available all-wheel drive system is just the ticket for the oft-inclement weather of my northern location. Good weather or bad, one can never have too much launch traction.inline_mediumwraptextrightWe suspect that, like us, many of you drive a Fusion every day. Though its appearances in these pages will be few and far between, we plan to share our experiences with some aftermarket Fusion enhancements, starting with an exhaust system. Check out those manly tips!26443873/techarticles/mdmp_0911_installing_borla_exhaust_systemmdmp_0911_01_+install_borla_exhaust_system+2009_ford_fusion_rear_view.jpgTrue

Fox Mustang Weatherstripping Replacement
For many of us, our daily drivers sit in our parking spot at work all day, taking a beating from the sun, wind, ozone, and other elements. Rubber-based products don't last forever in this kind of environment, and sooner or later you find crumbling weather stripping, dried out window trim, cracked window gaskets, and much more (one reason auto manufacturers went to glue in glass instead of using a perimeter rubber gasket product). It's especially rough in the Sunbelt-Florida, Texas, California, and so forth. Owners in these states know all too well how the sun, ozone, and even acid rain chew through black moldings like a termite through wood. Sure, you can use a car cover if you keep your daily driver spotless, and you can try rubber conditioners and other magic in a bottle solutions, but over the years these rubber parts simply dry up and wear out.inline_mediumwraptextright30650622/techarticles/mdmp_0911_weatherstripping_replacementmdmp_0911_01_+replacing_weatherstrip+ford_mustang_doors.jpgTrue

The '65 Mustang you see on these pages has certainly come a long way. While it didn't hap-pen overnight (in reality it was more than five years), Rick Lane's idea to build a drag car with some street manners he could enjoy at the local dragstrip started with a solid plan. The '65 had been sitting forlornly under a carport behind a friend of a friend's mother's house for almost 20 years. Time and the elements weren't kind to the little coupe, but that didn't matter to Rick, who hails from Mt. Airy, Maryland. He was building a drag car, remember? Sure, it'd have some minor creature comforts, but his main plan was to attack the nearby 75-80 Dragway with a stout performance package in a light classic Mus-tang. Rick has owned nearly a half-dozen Fox Mustangs over the years and knew that they were great performance machines. For this specific car, he wanted to do the same but in a classic Mustang body.inline_mediumwraptextright25495100/featuredvehicles/mdmp_0912_1965_mustang_coupemdmp_0912_01_+1965_mustang_coupe+rearview.jpgTrue

If you haven't heard of Vaughn Gittin Jr, you will soon. The Joppa, Maryland, native has earned the reputation of being one of the world's best drifters and is the next big thing at Ford Racing. His accolades include winning the 2005 D1 USA vs. Japan competition, the 2007 D1 World Championship, and the final event of the 2008 Formula D season at Irwindale Speedway. Gittin, piloting his well-known '05 Mustang, is also responsible for helping to bring American muscle to the sport, which has historically been dominated by Japanese cars.inline_mediumwraptextright30624204/featuredvehicles/mdmp_0911_2010_falken_tire_ford_racing_mustang_gtmdmp_0911_13_+2010_mustang_gt+drifting.jpgTrue

Chuck Winters' '65 Mercury Comet Cyclone
As many of us older enthusiasts have found out, qualifying for Social Security is a definite plus, especially when the checks arrive every month. Probably the only downside is that it formally signals the end of childhood. However, if you work it right, you can get a second shot at that magical time. Chuck Winters, a postal employee in Tampa, Florida, isn't quite ready for Social Security yet, but is definitely taking steps to guarantee a second childhood, thanks to his beautiful '65 Mercury Comet Cyclone, a car he's been dreaming about since age 16.inline_mediumwraptextright26429611/featuredvehicles/mdmp_0911_1965_mercury_comet_cyclonemdmp_0911_10_+1965_mercury_comet_cyclone+1965_comet_cyclone.jpgTrue

When the project was finally complete, Karl and his wife Jan didn't waste any time getting the Mustang out on the road. There were only 20 miles on the refurbished Pony when they left on a road trip for Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Car show and auto cross duty were included. Later on, when Karl tried to run the car at the Chandler, Arizona, dragstrip, a spider gear in the 9-inch axle let go. The dyno jet later recorded more than 480 horsepower at the rear wheels, so there's little doubt the car would have performed well in the quarter-mile. After some serious road time, Karl and Jan report that the car is very fast, handles and brakes incredibly, and provides endless big-time enjoyment. They also report that this Mustang generates a lot of interest at car shows, and that the real exclamations come when the hood goes up. We can see why.inline_mediumwraptextright26428081/featuredvehicles/mdmp_0911_1965_mustang_2_by_2_fastbackmdmp_0911_02_+1965_mustang_2_by_2_fastback+cobra_engine_cover.jpgTrue

The 2009 KONI Challenge series came to a close earlier this month. We started our new No. 61 ROUSH/Valvoline Mustang team this year under the banner of Horsepower Ranch. With it came plenty of challenges, especially on the side of bizarre mechanical problems: a failed brake line, a loose wheel, failed suspension parts (three separate times), etc.

Nothing personalizes your ride like a distinctive set of upsized rims. Our Bullitt-style 18-inchers are from Ford Racing. They're retro-stylish, factory-tough and surprisingly affordable - just what the accountant ordered for a daily driver.inline_mediumwraptextright25634528/techarticles/mdmp_091020_ford_racing_performance_parts_wheel_upgrademdmp_091020_01+ford_racing_performance_parts_wheels+done.jpgTrue

Let's get it over with right now - It was unseasonably HOT Thursday, Friday and Saturday with temperatures over 100o in the shade. Track temperature at the Saturday drag races was 134 degrees at 2:00 pm. Then a weather front moved through early Sunday morning and typical nice summer weather greeted us for the Car Show. The next week, Tulsa had temps in the mid 80s - Go figure.inline_mediumwraptextrightThe national vendors always show up at Mid America with their guns loaded and Classic Design Concepts was no exception--showcasing all of the new goodies for the '10 Mustangs such as their Classic Light Bar, Chin Spoiler, Shaker Hood and more!26740069/eventcoverage/mdmp_091020_35th_annual_mid_america_ford_performance_and_team_shelby_nationalsmdmp_091020_01_2009_mid_america_ford_performance_and_team_shelby_nationals+vendor.jpgTrue

YearOne and Chip Foose teamed up to throw another successful Braselton Bash and raised more than 100k for charity.inline_mediumwraptextright25499345/eventcoverage/mdmp_091015_2009_yearone_foose_bash_wrap_upmdmp_year_one_foose_bash_wrap_up_winners.jpgTrue

Tech | Audio Upgrade
If you look back at Carroll Shelby's history it has always been about improving the performance of a vehicle. From more horsepower to better handling and braking, Shelby has always demanded more from the cars he built and it's no different with today's Shelby products (GT500, Shelby GT, et al). But one thing that is different is today's buyers. Back in the '60s and Ford's Total Performance era (as well as the general muscle car wars of the time) meant power, and lots of it. Today, however, owners of Shelby automobiles want their power with 100 percent perfect driveability, ice cold A/C, and all the power accoutrements, including a sizzling audio system. That last entry has been "Shelbyized" as well now thanks to a partnership with Stillwater Designs, better known as Kicker Audio. Together they have designed the new Shelby Kicker Sound System.inline_mediumwraptextrightThere are two complete kits from Shelby Performance Parts. The non-Shaker-based kit is PN KA-NOSHAKER-KIT and retails for $1,249.99. It includes four 6x8 two-way speakers, a four-channel amp, and a 10-inch sub enclosure with all wiring. The Shaker 500/1000-based kit, PN KA-SHAKER-KIT adds the two 8-inch door subs to the mix and will set you back $1,399.99.25505504/techarticles/mdmp_0912_installing_shelby_kicker_sound_systemmdmp_0912_01_+install_shelby_kicker_sound_system+shelby_kicker_sound_system.jpgTrue

Coming to Milan, Michigan, for the third year now, the 6th Annual Aeromotive NMRA Ford Nat-ionals brought a compacted schedule and cooler weather to the event for the first time. The compacted schedule, while surely a money saver for the NMRA, allowed local enthusiasts, as well as the racers and spectators, to enjoy the NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday (the NMRA event was held Friday and Saturday only this year). This meant only two days of racing, late into the evening, and only a single car show day on Saturday. We thought the reduced schedule was a great idea, and apparently so did the racers. Saturday's car show was down a bit from past events due to the threat of rain (which drizzled on us for maybe 10 minutes), but nonetheless, the turnout of cars was impressive. From '60s era muscle to the latest and greatest from Ford, there was certainly a lot of interesting Ford iron in the car show area; ably run by the NMRA's Lisa Bodrey and the Milan event's host club, the Motor City Terminators (www.motorcityterminators.org/).inline_mediumwraptextrightAs noted in the intro, with Milan in Ford's backyard you never know what the guys in the red polo shirts are going to bring out. This year Ford Racing introduced its new Boss 351 block and the '10 FR500CJ program. Most notably was the availability of official "body in white" '10 Mustangs, along with several packaged kits to build your own race car (interior, wiring, and so on).30845010/eventcoverage/mdmp_0910_6th_annual_aeromotive_nmra_ford_nationals_eventmdmp_091000_nmra_02_o+2009_Aeromotive_NMRA_ford_nationals_event_milan_michigan+.jpgTrue

Variety is the spice of life they say, and nowhere will a Ford fan see more variety than at the annual Carlisle All-Ford Nationals, held at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the first weekend in June. With thousands of cars on the fairgrounds all weekend you're apt to see just about anything Ford has made over the last 105 years. For many it was their first real glimpse at the '10 Mustang GT500, the SVT F-150 Raptor, and other new Fords. For others it was a chance to see their favorite Fords that don't usually come out but a few times a year. Rarities like Cobra Jet drag cars, Mercury Montego GTs, Mustang IIs, Mavericks, Falcon sedan deliveries, trucks of all years and body styles, and much, much more. The Carlisle All-Ford Nationals is truly a homecoming for many a Ford fan.inline_mediumwraptextrightEvery year Ford gets more and more involved with the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals, including displays of new products, ride and drives, and more. At this year's show several daily seminars were held in front of the famous Carlisle grandstands detailing the latest from Ford to the crowd. Various Ford engineers and celebrities on hand gave the crowd the inside scoop. Here, Linsey Weenk, driver of the Built Ford Tough Blue Thunder monster truck (which was on display as well) describes some of the attributes of the '10 F-150 SVT Raptor pickup.25373792/eventcoverage/mdmp_0910_2009_annual_carlisle_all_ford_ford_nationalsmdmp_091000_all_01_o+2009_carlisle_all_ford_nationals+.jpgTrue

We've been on quite a roll lately in KONI Challenge competition. Two races ago Billly Johnson (my co-driver) and I finished third at Barber Motorsports Park. Then we finished second at Le Circuit de Trois Rivieres. As we headed into Miller Motorsports Park a couple of weeks ago, the hope was high that we could continue moving up the podium steps.

Stoptech
If it's tremendous stopping power you want, you'll get it with Stoptech's "Big Brake Kits" for Mustangs from '79-'09. Carefully engineered to maintain a balanced brake system, Stoptech calipers use different piston sizes within the same caliper family depending on the vehicle and rotor size of the application.inline_mediumwraptextrightStoptech's biggest Mustang brakes are offered for S197s, and include six-piston ST-60 calipers, along with either 14-inch or 15-inch two-piece slotted rotors. Calipers are offered in red, black, or silver, with blue and yellow available at extra cost.30772905/techarticles/mdmp_0910_mustang_brake_system_buyers_guide_part_2mdmp_091000_stop_06_o+brake_buyers_guide_part_2+.jpgTrue

If you're looking for a visual and performance enhancement for your S197 Mustang that looks great and will set your car apart from the rest, you might wish to try a set of these cool replacement head- and taillight assemblies from Mr. Bodykit. For improved safety and brightness it's hard to beat light emitting diodes (LED), so for the taillights we chose to go with a set of the "Generation 3" True Red LED taillights. Each taillamp assembly has 24 LED lamps and uses the factory back-up light in a bright silver quadrant similar to the factory assembly. However on the Mr. Bodykit unit the silver reflective surface is carried clear across the bottom of the housing. The overall effect is that they look stock but somehow nicer. When they're lit, they blow the factory lights away in intensity. The lamps fit both V-6 and GT Mustangs. Their list price is $239.99.

Very rarely in life does one get to have the best of both worlds. Most things have a downside, and this can be especially true when it comes to classic cars. Older cars just don't handle or brake as well as modern cars, not to mention a lack of modern conveniences and safety features. Enter Modern Muscle , a Hudson, Florida-based company that combines the styling of classic muscle cars with modern components. "Our mission is quite simple. We take classic muscle cars and apply state-of-the-art engineering and technology," said Mike Staveski, co-founder and owner of the company. "These cars can be used as daily drivers or weekend cruisers that will either out perform or stay with any modern day sports car." The current lineup includes a '69 Camaro, a '70-'71 'Cuda, and the '69-'70 Mustang SportsRoof you see here. Each is available as a conversion from the original chassis or a "supercar" version that utilizes an all-new chassis custom built for the car.inline_mediumwraptextright30549846/featuredvehicles/mdmp_0910_1969_mustang_sportsroof_enginemdmp_0910_01_+69_mustang_sportsroof_engine+passenger_side_view.jpgTrue

You may be tired of hearing us harp about the comparative virtues of disc brakes but in this case the advantages were especially significant. That's because our '67 Fairlane Ranchero with the factory drum brakes seemed even worse than the usual drum-brake cars we've owned and driven, and getting the rig stopped in a tidy fashion was a crapshoot. Sometimes drum brakes work well and stop a vehicle in a relatively straight line; but on this vehicle, a jam at the brake pedal meant a fight at the steering wheel to keep the car going forward in a straight line. As a matter of fact, during our stopping distance testing, where we were simulating a panic stop at 60 miles per hour, things got downright scary as the Ranchero pulled violently to the left much harder than during a normal stop, so the magnitude of our problem was made very apparent to us.inline_mediumwraptextrightOur '67 Ranchero project not only stops safer and without drama, but the Vintage Wheel Works and BFGoodrich combo certainly helps improve the utility vehicle's handling and looks as well.30555270/techarticles/mdmp_0910_1967_ford_fairlane_ranchero_brake_upgrademdmp_0910_01+master_power_brake_upgrade+ford_fairlane_ranchero_driver_side_front_view.jpgTrue