Words & Photos: Gary Rosier
Start with a 1989 rust free Mustang Fastback, add in one damaged 2001 Mustang Cobra SVT and what do you get? It’s one sweet (and fast!) Mirror Image of itself now… a ’89 Mustang Fastback Cobra.
Roger Thompson of Port Orange, Fla. is always scouring the internet for “deals.” He was looking for his next project car when he came across this 1989 Mustang Fastback, which was in need of some TLC and finishing. Roger’s specialty!
To set the stage properly, it seems that the seller had a 1989 Mustang that was pretty pristine body-wise, and when his beloved 2001 Cobra SVT Mustang got side-swiped and nearly totaled, he envisioned combining the two cars into one.
Imagine, now: a complete 2001 SVT Mustang’s running gear, including the independent suspension that was all new (99-2004 SVT Cobra’s) in an 1989 Fox body Mustang. Not only that, but the interior as well – including the dash, steering column, AND its 2001 complete wiring harness and console!
Powered by the 32 Valve 4.6 L engine, rated at 320HP with 317 ft lb torque (credit Wikipedia/Ford, as tested new for 2001- capable of a 5.4 sec 0-60, 13.8/102 mph 1/4 mile). Its original 5 speed was replaced with a B&M AOD-E Automatic with an on-board programmer.
This was a complete rotisserie, nut and bolt build on a 38,500 mile drive-train. The Cobra independent rear has a 3:55 trac/lock rear with a Maximum Motorsports rear subframe independent rear adapter. It also has their front K-member kit with coil-over shocks. Its floor-pans are original, and the chassis too; it was painted with Ford’s Grey Epoxy Primer/sealer, original to the car. The dash is from the 2001 Cobra and shows the correct mileage (now at 39,100) of the original 2001 Cobra drive-train. The power leather seats are from a 2005 Mustang GT. A Kenwood DVD, Bluetooth head unit with USB port and JL Audio speakers takes care of the tunes. A full Dynamat sound deadening and new carpet finishes it all off nicely.
Just a few other mods include: new door seals, new front windshield, braided fuel lines, Walbro in-tank fuel pump with Aeromotive fuel filter and regulator and a Hydroboost brake system for greater stopping power with those massive 13″ slotted and drilled COBRA calipers and rotors. It rolls on a set of one-off chrome Alloy wheels (17×8) with 235/45/17 Hankook tires (front ) and 245/45/17s – (rear).
It’s all cooled by the four row aluminum radiator with Cobra 2 speed fan. A C&L cast aluminum air intake/runner with a Moroso aluminum oil pan, pump and pick up and Canton aluminum overflow system helps out in the reliability/horsepower department as well as the all-aluminum Ford Racing polished driveshaft. Ceramic headers with stainless exhaust and Magnaflow polished stainless mufflers exit the gasses with a sweet sound unlike ANY other ’89 Mustang you’ll hear!
Other “bells and whistles” include: new rear hatch gas shocks and seals, built in visor garage door openers, power trunk and remote entry with alarm system. All the power windows, tilt, cruise, intermittent wipers and door locks operate as stock from the 2001 Mustang.
Countless man-hours, blood, sweat and tears… not to mention dollars invested… In the end, this little Scarlet Red Mustang Fastback is just a Mirror Image of itself, sure, but it all goes much deeper than that. It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, to coin an old phrase.
