Palestine cancelled... Yet...

Thanks to the wonderful change in weather the North Texas Mustang Club leaders decided to cancel the road trip to Palestine.  I was SO DISAPPOINTED having worked for months to prepare the car for its grand debut back into showing. :) So, not willing to go down without a fight, I suggested to Susan that after dinner we head out to the Friday night show on Little Road.  Didn't know at the time that our friend and fellow NTMC Members Tara and Justin were going out there to hand out flyers anyway.

Well, our dinner for two at Pluckers became three and Tara invited Justin who invited Troy & Sarah as well as Annie & Vinny.  Party time!  After dinner we headed over to the show.  It was a light crowd but I think it satisfied that "need to show" feeling for a little while.  It also let me see that the time and money spent back in December for the LED's was well invested.  We had a steady flow of folks over to check out the Stampede and the light show.  I had the underbody lights and engine lights on sound and the interior and trunk on steady.  Bass notes would kick the underbody on hard and the treble and mid tones had seven colors beating from under the hood.  I had anticipated the lights drawing the younger crowd and the little kids but was surprised to see the adults that came over too.  I was so stoked when we headed out for the night. :)

All in all, a good evening!  I'm looking forward to the next one!

Recent Changes

Here are some pictures of the recent changes. I've removed the door lock pins and replaced them with flush mount billet LED's (blue of course) from RadLites LED Lighting that are tied to the factory alarm system. When the key is removed and the factory system displays the Armed status in the cluster the lights in the doors also flash. The key, when inserted and moved to the on position, disables the factory alarm and thus the lights. These guys are BRIGHT at night.

These pictures also show the Kicker Subwoofer in the trunk and the kicker subs in the doors both of which now have the blue piping to set them off.

I've also added the blue piping to the top of the dash and returned it to the sides of the center stack (may not keep it there though). You can also see the new AC knobs, the shifter surround, the shifter handle covers, and etc.

Its all coming together! Scary part is I have a whole laundry list of things I still want to do. Of course very little of it has to do with the interior. :)


- Reba

Putting on the final touches...

It is almost here... the beginning to the show season - Palestine! The road trip to Palestine, the Dogwood Festival and the car show. There's nothing like 50+ Mustangs cruising down the highway!

We have a couple shows before Palestine but, to me, Palestine is the beginning of the season. This is what I have been working towards and waiting for. When the doctor gave me good news on Thursday, 3/11/10, it was Palestine that I was excited about. I finally get to show my car again!

I've got one item on the way but it may not get here in time. I've got a few more that I'd 'like to have but will have to wait on. I think at this point with the IRS money and Susan's generosity I've dropped a serious amount of cash into the car since December. More than I really want to add up to be honest. I'm already paranoid that someone is going to run into it.

I just added 6 more items. Two of these replaced items I already had. The others were new to the car:

* Action Artistry Auto Shift Bezel - Chrome Smooth
* Artistry Seat Strap Covers - Chrome
* Artistry Seat Release Levers - Chrome
* Artistry AC Knob Covers - Smooth Chrome
* Artistry Mustang A/C Trim Pieces - Smooth Chrome
* Chrome Billet Auto Trans. Handle Shrouds

The fun part was finding my original A/C knobs. Did you know those sell for $36 EACH from Ford? WTH? Anyway, luckily I didn't have to replace them.

She is looking VERY GOOD! New photos will be available soon!

- Reba

Good Progress...

Yeah! The x-rays from yesterday's appointment showed that there is, in fact, bone growth. This is GREAT news! Of course, I'm nowhere near being completely fused but it is a good sign. Doctor says I can move a bit more, even twist a little, but to remember that I'm still healing. I can increase my activities but I'm still limited quite a bit. That's okay... I can show the car in 2010! I just have to be careful. I'm having to realize, and accept, that this may be how things are for the rest of my life. Even if it does heal completely there's still the chance of another level (disc) being injured or this one being re-injured since it is technically "weaker". The hardware is there to help support it but it can break. Next appointment is in 9 months...

The Big Day

No, the Big Day isn't about a show or an event. This is the day that I go back to the doctor for a follow up and we see how/if the bone is fusing in my spine. Today is the day I've been waiting for since I woke up 6/8/09 in the recovery room following my surgery... Hopefully it be the end of the "recovery" period, time to relax a bit and begin to enjoy being pain free for the first time in YEARS (as in double digits here).

The appointment is at 4 PM, 3/11/10. PRAY and wish me luck!

- Reba

CHANGES SINCE MY LAST SHOW (May 2009)

Wow... I just took an inventory of the Mod List and put together a list of everything added since my last show. Impressive. I know that I want the car to reflect the transformation that I feel I've made in my life both physically and spiritually and I think I've accomplished that. Here is the list. I still have some to add to it hopefully before the next show. :)

INTERIOR:
• Chrome Upper Center Button Highlights - Action Artistry
• Chrome Wiper Accents - Action Artistry
• Chrome Side Air Vent Covers - Action Artistry
• Chrome Steering Wheel Accents - Action Artistry
• Chrome Steering Wheel Badge - Action Artistry
• Chrome Radio Button Highlights - Action Artistry
• Chrome Radio Knob Cover - Action Artistry
• Satin Billet Shoulder Belt Mount Accent - Scott Drake
• Satin Billet Windshield Washer Nozzle Covers - Scott Drake)
• Satin Billet Stock Door Lock Pins
• Polished Billet Headlight Knob - Action Artistry
• Polished Billet Lock Switch Covers - UPR
• Blue LED Trunk light (StreetGlow LED Pod)
• LEDGLOW Blue LED Lighting - Interior & Trunk
• Center Console 6-PC Dash Completion Kit - Silver

EXTERIOR:
• Chrome Mustang Taillight Trim- Stack Racing
• Chrome Mustang Third Brake Light Trim - Stack Racing
• Chrome Mustang Quarter Light Trim - Stack Racing
• Chrome Mustang Headlights with CCFL Halo (05-09)
• Chrome Pony Package Upper Billet Grille
• Chrome Billet lower Grille - V6
• OPTX by StreetGlow - Blue LED Lighting - Underbody
• SilverStar Headlights (H13) & Foglights (H11)

ENGINE BAY:
• LEDGLOW 7 Color LED Engine Lighting Kit

AUDIO:
• Shelby Kicker Premium Sound

We've had some record snowfall here lately (9-12 inches) in North Texas and we are expecting some more tonight and tomorrow. I won't be able to get some new pictures for you until the weather turns more Texas Like... which is in the high 50-60's. :) Thanks for stopping by!

- Reba

Install of dash kit pieces...

Check out some of the pictures of the install Susan and I did yesterday on my Mobile Me Gallery....   The kit is from Silver Horse Racing and is designed to finish off where the Interior Upgrade Package left off...  

Looks sharp!

:)

As always... more to come! 

- Reba

Recent Upgrades (Slideshow)

EXCITED!!!

Heading up to the installer's momentarily... This Shelby Kicker Premium Shaker Upgrade is on the UPS truck for delivery this morning and should (hopefully) be installed today along with some other minor additions... :)

Other items recently added:

• Action Artistry steering wheel highlights
• Action Artistry steering wheel badge
• Action Artistry side mirror knob cover

Photos soon...  

- Reba

Side Vent Covers arrived...

When I last posted I stated I was waiting on two items:

• Side Air Vent Covers - Chrome (Action Artistry)
• Billet Lock Switch Covers - Polished (UPR)

Yesterday the Side Air Vent Covers arrived from V6MustangStuff.com. The Billet Lock Switch Covers are being drop shipped directly from UPR on behalf of V6MustangStuff.  I'm still awaiting an update on those. 

Of course, the vent covers were promptly installed. They had the tiniest amount of 3M tape on them and, strangely enough, only on the bottom edge. I found that this really wasn't enough to hold them in place. I applied a very light and thin strip of silicone adhesive to the top and bottom of each and held them in place for about 30 seconds to allow the adhesive to begin to set. Within an hour they were perfect. This morning I tested them and they aren't going anywhere. :) 

I took some quick photos with the iPhone for now. When I take some better quality ones I'll post those.   

Let me know what you think of these and the other new additions.

- Reba

Transformation...

The really cool part of the show season ending is the getting ready for next year.  Trying to figure out what you want to do next.  We all know that modifying these cars, performance wise or cosmetically, is never done.  We always have a Wishlist and ideas of really cool things we can do to our cars.  Funny thing is watching how competitive we get.  How we want to be the first one in our group or club to have thought of something or to have purchased/installed something.  :)  I am definitely guilty of that one.  I get so excited about what I'm doing that I want everyone else to be just as excited.  I guess that is why I have this blog.  So I can gush my excitement and Mustang devotion to the black hole of the Internet in hope that someone out there will read it and share my obsession.

Having to sit out the 2009 season was very hard... not being able to clean or detail my car made it even worse.  I was able to actually hand wash it recently for the first time since June and was so ecstatic.  I still have to determine if I can handle the detail work...  Detailing these cars for shows can take all day if done right.  If it is a really big show like Yellow Rose preparation starts the day after the show ends... Seriously.

Susan and I will be going on the Palestine Road Trip and to the Palestine car show.  This will be my, and the Mustang's, first outing since May 2009.  I've been working to transform her into something 'different' than everyone remembers from May.  I've been transformed during this time and I want the car to reflect that.

I recently posted that I removed the honeycomb panel from the back of the Mustang.  This was NOT EASY but was very rewarding when it finally came off.  It was one of the first things I added three years ago.  I also removed the black tail light trim and the black honeycomb vinyl overlay film from the tail lights.  All that black just didn't look right with the chrome, brushed aluminum and blue.

Of course, you know I wouldn't make a move like that without having a plan as to what I wanted to replace it with.  Yesterday my order from AmericanMuscle.com came in... a kit consisting of the tail light trim, third light trim and side marker trim - all chrome - made by Stack Racing.

• Mustang Taillight Trim - Chrome (Stack Racing)
• Mustang Third Brake Light Trim - Chrome (Stack Racing)
• Mustang Quarter Light Trim - Chrome (Stack Racing)

More pictures to follow once I actually get the opportunity to take some good ones.   I also received the majority of my order from V6MustangStuff.com.  :)
There is one item on back order and another being drop shipped directly from UPR Products but the rest arrived yesterday and promptly installed yesterday afternoon.

The following pictures show these items installed...

• Upper Center Button Highlights - Chrome (Action Artistry)
• Shoulder Belt Mount Accent - Brushed Aluminum (Scott Drake)
• Wiper Accents - Chrome (Action Artistry
• Windshield Washer Nozzle Covers - Brushed Aluminum (Scott Drake)

I love how the Windshield Washer Nozzle Covers blend into the stripes!!  Exactly what I was wanting! To get rid of those black nozzles sticking out of the silver stripes!!

Profile shot... now the headlights blend in with the clear corners, clear side markers, wheels, side stripe, etc.... it just flows...

The items I am waiting for are:

• Billet Lock Switch Covers - Polished (UPR)
• Side Air Vent Covers - Chrome (Action Artistry)

I have other items on the "to be added list"... Stay tuned!

- Reba

No more honeycomb...

Decided that the front of the car no longer matched up with the rear honeycomb.  The billet grilles, chrome bucket headlights, clear corners and clear side lights just didn't work with the honeycomb panel, black tail light trim and honey comb overlay.  So... I remove them today.  What do you think?

On the way home last night I found a little place with a nice background and some good lighting and yet still dark enough to let the blue lights show... and proceeded to take pictures and make a video for YouTube.

Here's a picture and the video:

Pictures as promised...

Here are some pictures I took this morning.  I forgot how good she looked when she is this clean.   Enjoy!

Progress!!

I washed the Mustang today!!! Hand washed it and wiped it down! I even detailed it a bit. Granted, I didn't go all out like I used to, but this is the FIRST TIME I've washed it since the fusion surgery on 6/8/09! I'm not in pain but I will definitely be sore tomorrow.... I can feel that already...


I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow on my way to work if I'm not running behind.  :)  Good night everyone!

Lower Billet Grille installed!

Hey out there!

On my last report I didn't quite have that lower billet grille installed... Well, apparently it doesn't work on the Pony Package lower bumper insert. The vendor stated this but the manufacturer said it work work. Silly me, I trusted the manufacturer. Well, we tried to make it work without altering it, the pieces it came with or the car and then put it back in the box and contacted the manufacturer. They were really nice and quick to respond. Pictures were sent and I never heard from them again even though I've sent follow up e-mails.

So... I figured what I needed to make it work was the bumper insert of a Non-Pony Package V6. I almost convinced a friend of mine to trade but he wasn't having anything to do with it. He has an all black mustang with blacked out lights front and rear, GT honeycomb grille, SHR honeycomb tail light panel... you sense a theme? You can't blame a girl for asking right? :) Well, turns out the insert was easy enough to find online and very reasonable. Once I received the insert it didn't take but 5-10 minutes to uninstall my insert and put the new one in place. The grille took a bit longer but I am pleased to report that it is, in fact, installed.  Here is an updated picture:

I have a few more things that I want to change... okay, more than a few... but there are some that are on the top of my list for now that I hope will be in place by the time the show season kicks off in earnest.  I won't spoil the surprise... :)

Other than that... I'm anxious to get the X-Ray done that will show the state of my fusion... Anxious to get back to being more active... Anxious to start showing my car again....

Thank you everyone who has come by this blog and made the trip from everyday driver in 2006 to Show Car/Daily Driver today.  Someday I hope to retire her to "Occasional Driver" status but I have to pay down on her some (a lot) before we get there.

Talk to everyone soon and, if you're NTMC and will be at a local show, I hope to see you there!

------------------------

Here are some more pictures:

Excited to get 2010 started...

When I first got this car in 2006 I wasn't sure really what I wanted to do with it but I had ideas.  One of which was lighting it up but in such a way that it would be unique and "my own".  After getting other parts of the car ready and finally entering shows in July 2007 I put this idea on hold.  I kept coming back to it and again and again but always putting it on hold...

Well, the planets and stars were finally in the right place I guess.  I found what I wanted at a reasonable price and put it on my Christmas Wishlist.  Santa Susan got it for me and my talented installer, Tyler, made it a perfect show-quality install.  (Honestly folks this is your go-to-guy if you need something done!!)

The interior is a four piece one-color kit, the underbody is a four-piece one-color kit, the engine bay is a four piece seven color kit, and the trunk is actually the wheel well kit minus one... Tyler didn't feel he could hide them well enough in the wheel wells so they were moved to the trunk.  There is one extra that will be used in the grill.   All are sound sensitive. The headlight housings are new CCFL Halo's, all the front bulbs have been replaced with Sylvania SilverStars, and we have added new Billet Grilles top and bottom to finish out the new look on the front end (although we still have to install the lower one this weekend).

RECENT MODIFICATIONS:

*         Blue LED Interior & Trunk Lighting - LEDGLOW
*         Blue LED Underbody Lighting - OPTX by StreetGlow
*         Headlights (H13) & Fog lights (H11) – Sylvania SilverStars
*         Chrome Mustang Headlights (housing) with CCFL Halos (05-09) - Eagle Eyes
*         Chrome Pony Package Upper Billet Grille - Stack Racing

*         Chrome Lower Billet Grille - Stack Racing (Not installed yet)

*         7 Color LED Engine Lighting Kit – LEDGLOW

There is some tweaking to be completed on the lighting and we have one more item left to complete from "Santa", not counting the lower billet grille, but it will not be completed until after we have settled up with Uncle Sam for the 2009 Tax Year.   We're also going over the paint and body for any imperfections that need to be addressed and reviewing other items that should be changed to keep in line with the recent changes we've made.

Now, my follow up appointment with the spine surgeon isn't until March but I am confident I will have a good checkup.  I've been very good and extremely careful during my recovery.  I have every intention of showing in 2010 whether that is at NTMC shows, local MCA shows or just shows around town but wherever we - Susan and I - show this car we plan on just enjoying the hobby and having fun with the car.

Here are some new pictures for you:

OMG, she's CLEAN again!!!

It took one very nice power washer, a couple hours, a muscle relaxer and a pain pill but I got my baby washed for the first time since Memorial Day weekend just prior to my surgery. Pictures were taken in the neighbor's driveway... our grass was being mowed and I didn't want the car getting dirty again...

I'll admit that once I had her all cleaned up that the urge to show her started pulling at me again. I can't wait until next Spring. Maybe then I won't need medicine just to detail my car.

Looking hard at replacing some audio pieces... A friend has an X pipe and duals on his V6 which got me to thinking again about putting those on Trinity. Would have to get a GT bumper though... don't want to cut mine.

I can't believe the car is now over 3 years old but just rolled over to 21K miles this weekend. I can't remember ever keeping a car this long. OMG, it's actually out of the standard factory warranty and into the extended warranty now! LOL!

Hmmm.... what else can be done to this car that is "bolt on" and would be easy to remove later when I want to return to stock? Has to be tasteful and classy...

2009 Season...

The surgery went well and I'm doing good but I am out of the rest of this season meaning I will *not* be showing my car in any shows. Right now my car is DIRTY. The emphasis on dirty is because I can't believe it! I am looking forward to being able to participate in next year's season and, as such, I have been limiting my activities. Today is the beginning of week 12 post-surgery. The incision sites (about 5 inches in front and 5 inches on my back) are healed and the muscle spasms are not as bad but the bone is still in a fragile state. We aren't talking a fracture or break here... we are growing new bone... fusing two parts of my spine together with new bone that my 43 year old body is trying to create. I have to remind myself of that often. I feel good, hell I feel great, but I know that I can screw it up if I am not careful. The bills are coming in now and I can tell you that I'm thanking the LORD that I have my job and my insurance!! We would never have been able to afford the hospital room alone without it. I have been very blessed to have Dr. Scott Wieser on both my surgeries but specifically on this one. Folks, there is no way to make anyone understand the pain of 4 pinched nerves for 3 years, the feeling of bone on bone when you moved and the sharp pain when a nerve got "caught" in the process. No way I could express the pain, frustration, tears, and heartache it took to get to the point where someone finally did the MRI. And during that time... 2006-2009 I've been showing my car because that car has a special connection to my Dad who died in 2006. It is for him that I show it. Next year I'll be able to continue showing the car with my Dad's memory close in heart. I look forward to seeing some of you at the shows next year! Especially Yellow Rose!

New Mods, Pics, and End to 2009 Season?

Here are some more new pics... Check out the honeycomb tail light pieces with the black tail light trim from http://www.stangmods.com/. Looks sharp with that honeycomb trim between the tail lights (Silver Horse Racing). Thanks goes out to Matt for your quick service and excellence in customer support! Also, today I added the Action Artistry Chrome Radio Button Highlights and Chrome Radio Volume Knob, both were purchased from http://americanmuscle.com/. Install took about 10 minutes total including pictures. :) Lastly are pics of my Stampede tucked under its cover. I may drive it over the weekend but, if not, it will be covered for a while. Monday I have surgery and will be unable to enjoy my Mustang for at least 3 weeks. I'll be off work for 6-8 weeks. My 2009 Show Season has been curtailed. It may not be over, as Donnie reminds me, but it definitely isn't going to be as active as I would like it to be. The May NTMC Cruise was my last this season probably. (Got a First Place though!) We'll see. Susan and I agreed that Yellow Rose would not be a good idea. Even if I am back at work by then I will not be ready to do that type of detail work on my car. Being that this is a spinal fusion it may be awhile before I am 100%. I won't go into all the details but suffice it to say this is major stuff. Oh well, 2009 will be the year to heal and 2010 will be my time to kick ass. Right?