 The in-the-weeds stance of...  The in-the-weeds stance of the Stage 2 can be attributed to Air Ride Technologies' airbag system that found its way onto the chassis. The bags provide a killer stance along with improved handling when Bill carves corners. |
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 The power created by the mostly...  The power created by the mostly stock 4.6 Two-Valve was boosted 10 pounds courtesy of a Vortech SQ-series huffer. Combined with a Vortech intercooler and improved fuel system, the powerful Blue Oval sets Bill back in his seat every time he gets into the loud pedal. |
 The Roush-specific 18-inch...  The Roush-specific 18-inch chrome rims are wrapped in BFGoodrich rubber on all four corners. The front meats size 265/35/18 while the rears measure 295/35/18. |
In the world of high-performance cars and going fast, few of us are ever fully content with our rides. Every day, we scour the Internet, talk to our friends, and flip through the latest issue of MM&FF looking for different parts and pieces to bolt on in search of more tire-melting horsepower.
Take Bill Abendschein, for example. Bill, who also owns a '96 Mustang, found his '00 Roush Stage 2 in New York after a search on the 'Net. "I originally had plans to purchase a Cobra," he says. "I happened to come across a Roush on a new-car lot and fell in love with it. After researching Roush Mustangs on the Internet, I talked to a few dealers locally. To make a long story short, I met a dealer over the Internet and ended up purchasing the car from Bud Kearny Ford in New York."
Notice Bill says he "originally had plans." Like the saying goes, best laid plans of mice and men, right? He changed his mind about buying a Terminator, and took the brand-new Performance Red Roush Stage 2 back to his Edgewater, Maryland, home. After driving the car and enjoying it, however, Bill realized the Roush just wasn't finished.
The transformation from Stage 2 to Stage Bill began by refining the original Roush platform. An awesome car in its own right, Bill's Stage 2 came from Roush with upgraded brake and suspension packages in addition to the Roush body kit and ultracool side-exit exhaust system. Bill started from the outside before moving to the interior and, eventually, under-the-body work. He swapped out the original GT taillights and replaced them with APC pieces. After painting the cowl and mirrors the same hue as the car, he dumped the factory grille for a billet piece. He then moved into the interior portion of the car, where an array of Auto Meter gauges was added. Bill enlisted the help of Conley's Upholstery, which performed the interior work, including the seat inserts and door panels. When the crew at Conley finished, Bill hopped in the Roush and cruised over to Jorgy's Customs, which stitched the embroidered Roush Racing logos in the seat's headrests.