My Mustang GT.
For those interested, this is the story so far.
Around late 2014, I started to get wind that Ford were going to be bringing a RHD Mustang to the UK.
As a serial TVR owner, that due to health reasons, was beginning to struggle with getting in and out, and general use of an uncompromising plastic car made in Blackpool, I decided that I needed something more practical, modern and reliable. But it still needed to be fun, fast, and good to look at. My initial thoughts on seeing the new Mustang, hinted that it may just fit the bill.
I did lots of research on the American forums, and concluded that at the price, I had to give it a go, and if it didn't work out, I could always sell, and might even make a profit for once.... This is a brochure pic of the car that caught my eye. It's Guard grey (green) saddle brown leather, automatic V8 coupe.
2 weeks after I placed my order this colour was discontinued.
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So we get to Feb 2nd 2015, my 53rd birthday and I go to Stoke to order the car and place my deposit.
I'm told I'll get it around Nov 2015. The TVR is sold, and I start to plan what I'm going to do with the car.
First thing has to be an exhaust, I ordered a Borla touring system and stored it under the bed.
Next came new suspension parts and a few cosmetic bit n pieces
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November came and went, as did Dec, Jan, and Feb, by the time we got to March 2016, I was ready to forget the whole thing and buy a second hand FType.
Other people that had ordered their cars way after me were getting deliveries and I was left hanging on.
My wife persuaded me to give it a bit more time, and I'm glad she did.
Eventually delivery day arrived March 31st 2016.
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On the second day of ownership, I'd fitted the new suspension, exhaust and steering wheel from the GT350
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Next came the wheels from the USA. Made specifically for the Mustang so with the correct offsets etc. I ordered these with a custom finish.
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I was then pretty satisfied, and was using the car as much as possible, clocking up 12000 miles in that first 10 months or so of ownership. Including a trip to Holland
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Then I started getting itchy feet again, and started thinking about some more mods.
The car was now handling quite nicely for a big old coupe, I'd done a couple of track days, and really enjoyed them. But I felt I could use more power.
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So I fitted Long tube headers, a cold air intake and had the engine remapped.
The headers were from Australia, and because I wanted to run efficient Cats, some fabrication work was required to get the new headers to match up to the rest of the system.
This was where a local fabrication magician came to the rescue.
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These mods made a significant difference to performance
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I also wanted to sharpen the inside up a bit, so I bought some genuine alcantara and set about making a few parts on my wife's sewing machine..
I did knee bolsters, handbrake, and gear lever gators, and the rear parcel shelf
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Externally I had the roof wrapped Black, the mirrors painted black, and stripes over the top.
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The Mustang comes with fantastic Brembo 6 piston brakes, but ford let the side down with very heavy discs.
The next mod was to shed some unsprung mass from the brakes, this was achieved by buying fully floating 2 piece discs from America, which shed an unbelievable 14 pounds per side at the front...Yes 1 stone off each front wheel. This in combination with my lighter wheels, has made a significant difference to the steering and ride comfort, so was well worth the money.
Of course I took the opportunity to get the calipers painted, and at the same Tim unrated the rear brakes with larger 2 piece discs and 4 piston calipers....
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A few other mods on the go at the moment, is to fit a 50th anniversary grill
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Looks like this when fitted
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And some GT 350 quad tips, but I want mine custom made...
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So that's about it for now...
The car is now 20 months old and I've done 20k miles. Not bad for a car that's used as a second, and is used solely for pleasure.
Average MPG over that time is 24, with a best of 32 on some of the long runs.
A full service at Ford was £160, and insurance is less than £300 with all mods declared of course
Bottom line, I think it's a great car, certainly there are far better handling, faster, more exclusive cars on the roads.
But VFM, and fun factor, the Mustang is the best car I've owned.....