Progress...

Welcome to the backup plan. I can't see any way I'm going to get all the metalwork done on the Mustang in time for Hallet in the fall. Not to mention that the new rear axle requires a new drive shaft, and it wouldn't make sense to build a new drive shaft for a temporary transmission. Oh, and 14" performance tire are almost impossible to find and stupid expensive, especially given the temporary rims.
So now what?
I have a complete but non running XJS. Its only significant rust issue are the floor pans. I now have a bead roller.
It needs new bushings all around, but poly bushing kits are available.
There are a selection of performance tires for the 15" wheels.
If the engine and transmission are in decent shape it could be in running order faster and cheaper than the Mustang.
If. 
http://xj-sprehe.blogspot.com/

Ugh.

I guess you can consider it a lap joint. Wouldn't have needed nearly so much bondo if they had stepped the panel's edge.

 That's not good. Directly over the leaf spring shackle.

 Oh yea, it looks the same inside and under neath too!

 Formerly known as front floor pan.

Shoot me now.
The only bit of bright lining is that all of the panels that are mangled, rusted through, or hacked up are the panels that are different between a fastback and coupe. I'm considering doing a very bad, bad thing.

Stripped to the frame.

More of the same.












Bondo depth test. I have a lot of work ahead.

A fully stripped frame. No bolts, brackets, lines, wires, just welded sheet metal... excluding the rust, bondo, and fiberglass.

Rocker panels without trim clips.











Those better acquainted with Mustangs will notice the dash looks odd. I drilled out the spot welds and removed the dash pad extension/support. Underneath there's a nice smooth rounded dash. It will end up painted flat black.

Hallett!!!

Hallett is a nice 1.8 mile 10 turn road course in Oklahoma. It has 80 feet of elevation change and is considered Technically Difficult. It has wide, grassy run-off areas and zero concrete or Armco barriers. Hallett is unique in that it can be run in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions ­ making it two completely different race courses.


Hallett also has a nearly monthly open track day for street cars. I'm trying to get the mustang ready for a late spring or early fall run, dragging along a few friends with a '71 Datsun 240Z and a modified 1959 Jaguar Mark II, perhaps even a V12 XJ-S.


My plan is to continue breaking down the mustang to Shelby R model specs. Anything that doesn't help accelerate, brake, turn, or make the car road legal is dead weight and comes off. I won't have the finances to get a 5 speed by then, so the 3 speed will be pushed into service. It's plenty strong enough, just far from ideal. I should be able to manage the 8.8 swap, and really need to for the braking improvement. The old mustang drums will handle exactly two(2) back to back 0-60 stop then brake fade is so severe it would amount to having front brakes only. I will relocate the battery and fuel pump to the rear for space and weight distribution reasons. Additional brake cooling, very good brake fluid, and track capable pads are imperative. 

More disassembll - under dash.

More and more parts being pulled out. Wiring harness, glove box, heater, wiper motor, instrument panel, ventilation ducts, speakers, radio, steering wheel and column, pedals and pedal box all out.
I have the front suspension, steering box and linkages, engine, transmission, drive shaft, fuel lines, brake lines and exhaust left. Then the metal work starts.

New V6 Mustang, the perfect car?

http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/
305 Horsepower.
31 Miles per gallon.
0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.7 at 102.0 mph
$22,000.
The perfect daily driver?
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_1003_2011_ford_mustang_v_6_test/viewall.html

Spark?

How do you get good spark for a 289? A MSD system, for example, means a controller, coil, and distributor, and about $565. Much better than stock.
Or for about the same, you can get Ford EDIS (Electronic distributorless ignition system) and most of the parts for aftermarket EFI.

http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawiki/index.php?title=EDIS
http://www.fintechcommunications.com/funstuff/
http://brickspeed.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=453