1989 Mustang LX CMC Mustang Chronological Build

CMC #17

BNS-Racing sponsored Camaro-Mustang Challenge 89LX

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Week 3 (May 24-30)

24 May 2003

Now seems as good as any to go ahead and get CMC#17 to the paint shop for some exterior TLC. Yes, I'm afraid the days of the "primer" look are long gone and a new era in CMC#17's history is about to unfold.

Mike, Len and myself strapped #17 to the trailer and we were off to get some price quotes around the Houston area. After a lead from Todd C. (thanks!), we managed to score a place that could paint it the color we wanted at the price (read: important) that was ok with everyone.

Ok, #17 has been dropped off and is undergoing a makeover to look presentable. Time to work on coordinating getting the rest of the needed parts on the way (suspension and brakes).

 

25 May 2003

Nothing really noteworthy to write today. I spent some time cleaning up the mess caused by the flurry of activity over the past two weeks in my garage (read: huge mess!). The anticipation is growing and we are one day closer to seeing CMC#17 emerge from the paint shop with a bright red exterior color.  Woooohoooo!!

 

26 May 2003

Dang! This is worst than waiting for the sun to come up on Christmas day! The empty spot in my garage only compounds the anxiety and nervousness. Isn't it Friday yet? Someone please tell me it's Friday!!

 

27 May 2003

I would rather be installing parts than cleaning up the garage. But, I've made a mess over the past two weeks and it's time to get it cleaned up and organized. Will be a good time to throw out all of the "stuff" that doesn't have resale value.

The replacement rear bumper made it in today. Might be an outside chance to get it to the paint shop before the car is painted. I'm going to have them paint the bumper cover and I will install it myself (cheaper).

Only 259,200 seconds left until Friday. Not that I'm counting.

 

28 May 2003

Could this week go by any sloooower? Ok, the rear bumper cover is in my hot little hands. I will be taking a trek down to the paint shop this evening to drop it off and to take a peek at CMC#17. I hope to pleasantly surprised and will take some pictures and post this evening.

I'm hoping to have the roll cage and some of the suspension part in by next week. That will leave the brake conversion and some other odds and ends to finish (ok, I know there still ALOT of work to do, but have to make it look like there is light at the end of the tunnel).

Only 172,800 seconds left until Friday.

 

29 May 2003

Mission accomplished today. First mission was to make it down to the body/paint shop without getting taken out on the highway (some people are just plain CRAZY!!). I don't think the body shop guy was too keen on me asking to take some pictures of it. But, I pressed it and he took me back to the bay where CMC#17 was located. On the way back there, he informed me that it still had some final prep work to be done and then washed. It didn't matter to me. I wanted to see it and get some pics before then (color me nutz, ok).

       



CMC#17 is coming home tomorrow! I will be a busy person this weekend. Not only will I be at Texas World Speedway helping Mike (AI#16), I will be there to meet up with some other enthusiasts as well! Then, I have to get to work on CMC#17 to get the other rear bumper cover fit and installed. Next will be taking care of the door panels and the rest of the wiring. I also have to finish installing the temperature and oil pressure gauges.

Rock on!!!

 

30 May 2003

Guess what? IT'S FRIDAY!! Woohoo!!  After a call to the body shop (1:00pm) and a confirmation that the car was ready along with the other bumper cover, it was time to head down after work to pick it up!!

We arrived just before closing (yikes!). Uh oh! There was one problem though. The key would not turn the ignition over to run. It wouldn't friggin' budge!! Here I am in a very hot garage bay, no breeze, sitting inside a hot car (from being outside) trying to wiggle, jiggle and pound on the ignition switch. No luck! ##$@##@$  So, we resorted to extreme measures. Break out the big screwdriver, drill and assorted heavy objects. After an hour, still no luck. The drill ran out of battery and there wasn't another one available. Dangit!!

Ok, time to forget about the ignition switch and get CMC#17 on the trailer. With the help of four other guys, we were able to get it up on the trailer first try. Woohoo! Time to get this beast home and take care of it there (with the right tools - BFH).

   

Ok, got it home (finally!). First priority is to get the ignition fixed. With the right tools in hand, it was time to teach it a lesson. It didn't take long for the old ignition switch to give and tap the map! After a quick cleanup with the shopvac, I installed the ignition switch from the original steering column. Works great!!!

This is what's left of the original ignition switch:



Time to get busy cleaning it up and put the axe to the grind!! Please stay tuned.....

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