Turning his attention to the legs of his Pony, John installed a set of subframe connectors to stiffen the chassis, and then rolled underneath the front end and fortified the front suspension with Energy Suspension bushings, Gripp caster/ camber plates, KYB shocks, and Brothers front springs. In the hind quarters, he added another pair of KYB shocks and Brothers springs. He left the rear mostly stock, save for a switch to 3.55 cogs. Finalizing the stance and look of the Stang are chrome Cobra rims shod in Yokohama A520 rubbers.
The last couple of items on the checklist involved body and interior enhancements. The car has just a touch over 30,000 miles on it, and the factory red paint job still looks sharp, though a set of mudflaps and a nifty splatter-paint side-molding treatment set off the retina-searing color just a bit more. The inner portion of the car showcases a stock grey interior, though a fuel-pressure and boost gauge were installed on top of the dash in an SN-95 pod. When John wants to tune out the tone of the 302, he hits the power switch to the Blaupunkt stereo system.
"The car drives and handles great at all speeds, though I don't race it," John says. "I do enjoy what it has to offer. I'm looking for a newer Mustang, but I love the rarity of this one."
While a new S197 might soon grace John's driveway, you can be sure his '92 will always hold a special place in his heart, as well as his garage. Though we do wonder if he plans on restoring that old pedal car.
 John's Mustang is a labor...  John's Mustang is a labor of love. After losing his first Stang to an unwary driver, he vowed to see this one through to completion. |  |  John's Mustang is a labor...  John's Mustang is a labor of love. After losing his first Stang to an unwary driver, he vowed to see this one through to completion. |
 The inside of the Mustang...  The inside of the Mustang is vintage 1992, minus the Blaupunkt stereo system and SN-95 gauge pod stocked with a fuel-pressure and boost gauge. Of course, you also have that air/fuel meter in plain view as well. |  |  John's Pony rolls along on...  John's Pony rolls along on a set of chrome Cobra rims shod in Yokohama rubber. If you take a closer look at the body molding, you'll see the nifty splatter-paint John had put on. |