Inline Is Real Fine - Part 1 In A Three-Part Series

Building For Power
Many of us put the cart before the horse with our car projects. We build powerful engines and plunk them into vehicles with lame brakes and suspension. A good rule of thumb is to build a car that's ready for horsepower and torque. This is what Winterboer had in mind when he came to us with his '69 SportsRoof. What does it take to build a hot six-cylinder Mustang that's safe and reliable?

• OpenTracker Racing Products control arms
• Adjustable sway bars fore and aft from Stam Bar
• Edelbrock gas shocks from Mustangs Plus
• Adjustable Global West strut rods from Mustangs Plus
• Grab-A-Trak 620 coils from Mustangs Plus
• Five-leaf mid-eye Grab-A-Trak leaf springs from Mustangs Plus
• Power rack-and-pinion steering from The Mustang Shop
• Subframe connectors from The Mustang Shop
• Baer disc brakes in all four corners
• American Racing Torq-Thrust D five-spoke wheels
• Yokohama radials from Discount Tire
• Grant steering wheel
• Maaco Screaming Yellow single-stage budget paint job
• Mach 1 hoodscoop

This is how we began a terrific turbo-six Mustang special from Classic Inlines and The Mustang Shop. Winterboer hauled the decrepit SportsRoof to Maaco in Phoenix for budget bodywork and paint. The car turned out better than we ever imagined. With tacky paint and masking tape hanging from the body, Winterboer hauled the car to The Mustang Shop in Phoenix for special preparation.

Meet Mr. Inline
Winterboer began his passion for inline buzz saws in the Blue Oval camp, teaching us how to build and enjoy hot small and large Ford sixes. His hobby became a business recently when he turned Classic Inlines into a full-time operation. There's plenty available for those who'd rather build a hot inline six. What's more, Winterboer has plans for the rest of Detroit, with performance goodies available for Chrysler, Chevrolet, and even American Motors. Expect to see more in Mustang & Fords.

Built For Durability
When we discussed the rear axle, Winterboer had to do a lot of thinking about what he wanted from his Mustang. We talked about building a strong 9-inch rearend. The discussion then led to cost. Winterboer was interested in both speed and cost. To build an entire 9-inch Ford rear wouldn't happen quickly. He needed a strong differential quickly-overnight. We called Randy's Ring & Pinion and asked if they had an 8-inch limited-slip with 3.55 cogs. This is a blueprinted piece that arrived ready for installation with all hardware and gaskets.