Restoring a '92 Mustang coupe.

[FordWagonNut]

So after about 15 years, I went for it. I bought this All American Models '92 Mustang notchback when I was 12 or 13.....

Little did I know how much prep work was needed on a resin kit. Well at the hands of a child, the poor thing didnt stand a chance. I painted it Testers red, no primer. Didn't like it, so I painted it silver, and yes with primer. STILL did not like it. Painted it this God awful green. From that point on, it never was finished.

I saw the postings on the Mustang fox body notchback, remembered I have one. Did a little digging and there it was, still sitting the plastic I wrapped it in. I also found I shelled out for the 10 hole rims from Replicas and Minitures of Maryland (I think that was it).

So after reading everything I could find on here about resin, resin stripping, painting, bondo, and everything thats needed to build a proper resin model, I dived in. Little did I know, it was a can of worms I opened up. But it will teach me a lot and sharpen my skills.

I was very worried about stripping paint off of resin. Saw that everyone seemed to have great luck with Easy Off. So I tried it myself. I am now a fan of this stuff. It stripped three layers of paint like it was butter.

As for the trim. It looks to be for a mid 80s model. So I lightly used my dremel to remove some of it, then hand sanded the rest off. For its replacement just used strip plastic. Doing this was new to me too, I'm pretty happy how it turned out.

[James Flowers]

Looks like you did a nice job of changing the side trim. Looking forward to more of this build.

[Eric Stone]

The side trim that was on there is correct for an 87-93, but it'll be interesting to see how the new trim looks under paint. What engine are you gonna use? I see a 99 Cobra back there... Would be cool with a 4-valve mod motor swap!

Also, let me know if you'd like some reference pics/info for detailing colors.

Edited December 17, 2009 by Eric Stone

[charlie8575]

Looking good.

I told you Easy-Off is the way to go.

Charlie Larkin

[Greg Cullinan]

Nice fox. Looks good with the welds instead of the tens.I'm looking forward to every step of this build. Thanks

[FordWagonNut]

The side trim that was on there is correct for an 87-93, but it'll be interesting to see how the new trim looks under paint. What engine are you gonna use? I see a 99 Cobra back there... Would be cool with a 4-valve mod motor swap!

Also, let me know if you'd like some reference pics/info for detailing colors.

mmmm, I thought the trim that was on AAM kit was wrong. It looked like this:

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images...70025_large.jpg

I am doing my coupe from memory. There where a handful of them while I was in high school (1994-1998) and this one will be one that I really liked, white with a red interior. I thought the side trim looked like this:

http://www.mustangspecs.com/carpics/915.0LX.jpg

As for pictures. Anything you can send to me would be AWESOME. I am looking for a nice front clip picture. The AAM coupe I have, I must have snapped off the "Ford" grill piece and the chin spoiler. Its driven me nuts trying to fix that. Also for the engine, that is still up in the air. From what I have seen, the engine bay layout is wrong to. I guess its for a mid 80s fox. I don't know if I want to go ahead and switch a correct engine bay from the '92 GT drop top.

[FordWagonNut]

Nice fox. Looks good with the welds instead of the tens.I'm looking forward to every step of this build. Thanks

I agree Greg. The one I remember from HS had them. It sure was a pretty car, too bad the kid wrecked the little car a few years later.

[FordWagonNut]

Looking good.

I told you Easy-Off is the way to go.

Charlie Larkin

Charlie, this stuff is just awesome. I did a few other kits I screwed up the paint on. It takes a few thicker coats and longer amount of time with the Testers Lacquer system. None the less, it still works like a charm.

[FordWagonNut]

Looks like you did a nice job of changing the side trim. Looking forward to more of this build.

Thank you. This was my first major surgery on a project like this. The plastic strips I used, it came out a bit too thick. The local hobby shop had a limited supply of what I needed. Thats alright though, a little sanding will thin it out were I need it.

[Eric Stone]

mmmm, I thought the trim that was on AAM kit was wrong. It looked like this:

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images...70025_large.jpg

I am doing my coupe from memory. There where a handful of them while I was in high school (1994-1998) and this one will be one that I really liked, white with a red interior. I thought the side trim looked like this:

http://www.mustangspecs.com/carpics/915.0LX.jpg

As for pictures. Anything you can send to me would be AWESOME. I am looking for a nice front clip picture. The AAM coupe I have, I must have snapped off the "Ford" grill piece and the chin spoiler. Its driven me nuts trying to fix that. Also for the engine, that is still up in the air. From what I have seen, the engine bay layout is wrong to. I guess its for a mid 80s fox. I don't know if I want to go ahead and switch a correct engine bay from the '92 GT drop top.

D'oh! Ya know, you're right. The 87-93s have the flatter trim with the shallow indention. I guess I've never had my 91 parked next to a four-eye to compare, and for some reason the resin body looked "right". I haven't paid much attention to my side trim I guess, plus I've probably been looking at the 79-81 Monogram kits too much lately.

If the underhood is correct, it should have the battery on the driver's side, because the air intake tract goes to the pass. side front corner. The earlier Fox kits have the battery on the pass side, but I know the 93 Cobra kit has it moved, and I guess the GT 'vert would too if they did it right. If you go carbureted, it wouldn't matter, but to properly do the 5.0 fuel-injected engine, you'd have to move the battery. The last year for a factory-carbureted 5.0 Mustang was '85. I'm guessing that would also be the last year for the battery to be on the pass. side. (I have no idea if you already know this or not, so excuse me if I'm preaching to the choir.)

I can shoot lots of pics for you, share saved ones, and pull a measurement of that chin spoiler so you can fab one up.

Here are some 'nice' pics of my hatch and my buddy's 93 Coupe, but if you want down and dirty detail shots lemme know and I'll shoot some.

http://public.fotki.com/Chevelle350/cars/91mustang/

http://public.fotki.com/Chevelle350/cars/9193/

Also, there are some FoxBodies in these-

http://public.fotki.com/Chevelle350/cars/mustang45th/

http://public.fotki.com/Chevelle350/cars/ffw-ennis-08/

[FordWagonNut]

D'oh! Ya know, you're right. The 87-93s have the flatter trim with the shallow indention. I guess I've never had my 91 parked next to a four-eye to compare, and for some reason the resin body looked "right". I haven't paid much attention to my side trim I guess, plus I've probably been looking at the 79-81 Monogram kits too much lately.

If the underhood is correct, it should have the battery on the driver's side, because the air intake tract goes to the pass. side front corner. The earlier Fox kits have the battery on the pass side, but I know the 93 Cobra kit has it moved, and I guess the GT 'vert would too if they did it right. If you go carbureted, it wouldn't matter, but to properly do the 5.0 fuel-injected engine, you'd have to move the battery. The last year for a factory-carbureted 5.0 Mustang was '85. I'm guessing that would also be the last year for the battery to be on the pass. side. (I have no idea if you already know this or not, so excuse me if I'm preaching to the choir.)

I can shoot lots of pics for you, share saved ones, and pull a measurement of that chin spoiler so you can fab one up.

Here are some 'nice' pics of my hatch and my buddy's 93 Coupe, but if you want down and dirty detail shots lemme know and I'll shoot some.

http://public.fotki.com/Chevelle350/cars/91mustang/

http://public.fotki.com/Chevelle350/cars/9193/

Also, there are some FoxBodies in these-

http://public.fotki.com/Chevelle350/cars/mustang45th/

http://public.fotki.com/Chevelle350/cars/ffw-ennis-08/

WOW, this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I'm still trying to figure out how to make the tail lamps. And I also lost the rear "glass" to the AMM kit. But these ref photos will be a great starting point.

You don't really see that many clean '87 - '92 foxes anymore up here in Chicago. Most are rotting out or were beat to a pulp. Even my '04 Mustang started to rust inside the welds under the door by 2007.

Thank you!

[Eric Stone]

WOW, this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I'm still trying to figure out how to make the tail lamps. And I also lost the rear "glass" to the AMM kit. But these ref photos will be a great starting point.

You don't really see that many clean '87 - '92 foxes anymore up here in Chicago. Most are rotting out or were beat to a pulp. Even my '04 Mustang started to rust inside the welds under the door by 2007.

Thank you!

I wonder how hard it would be to cast copies of the tails from the Revell 93 Cobra. They'd be pretty close (but not perfect) for an LX. I can try in the next few days. I don't have any clear resin, but might be able to use the Testor's window glue. I need to copy some of the vertical 79-82 Mustang taillights anyway for a parts kit I'm rebuilding. Never tried copying lenses, should be interesting.

The window seems like it might be hard to do... There are a couple of sources currently offering a similar Coupe body where you might be able to try purchasing a rear window by special request, but neither of them has the greatest customer service reputation, so I dunno how productive that would be... (Please, nobody hijack this thread by debating the customer service reputations of these two sources if you know who I'm referring to!)

I bought my Fox last year with 66k miles. A few months later, a friend found the green coupe and bought it, then sold it to another friend of mine. At that time it only had 45k miles... It helps a lot that we don't get snow most of the time, and that none of us daily drive ours.

[Rick Schmidt]

Looking good.

The trim was a 4 eyes trim glad you caught that and fixed it I can also see the battery in your pics Like Eric says it's on the wrong side. I'd suggest buying you the 93 Cobra kit as a Donor that would net you your LX tails and a correct looking underhood area plus any other fox parts you may need. Interior chassis motor and such

[FordWagonNut]

I wonder how hard it would be to cast copies of the tails from the Revell 93 Cobra. They'd be pretty close (but not perfect) for an LX. I can try in the next few days. I don't have any clear resin, but might be able to use the Testor's window glue. I need to copy some of the vertical 79-82 Mustang taillights anyway for a parts kit I'm rebuilding. Never tried copying lenses, should be interesting.

The window seems like it might be hard to do... There are a couple of sources currently offering a similar Coupe body where you might be able to try purchasing a rear window by special request, but neither of them has the greatest customer service reputation, so I dunno how productive that would be... (Please, nobody hijack this thread by debating the customer service reputations of these two sources if you know who I'm referring to!)

I bought my Fox last year with 66k miles. A few months later, a friend found the green coupe and bought it, then sold it to another friend of mine. At that time it only had 45k miles... It helps a lot that we don't get snow most of the time, and that none of us daily drive ours.

What I was thinking of doing. Just taking sheet plastic, using that for the back plate of the tail lamp. This would make the recessed edges in black. Then with clear sheet plastic, making the three lamp "pods" that make up the rest of the tail lamp.

I already took my two GT style tail lamps and filed them down flat. I don't if I want to scribe lines that or try my idea like the one above.

Yea, as for the window.....thats my biggest hump. It got lost when my folks moved three times since 1993. I also lost an original '70 Ford LTD and '70 Thunderbird kit. Thank God the '71 Thunderbird was reissued and I can get trans parts to make a '70 Galaxie to a LTD from The Modelhaus.

My aunt and uncle live in Collieville (don't think that was spelled right), between Dallas and Fort Worth and my dad was from Brownsville. Anytime I go to the wrecking yards, its like Christmas. There are so many more older cars than here in Chicago.

Edited December 17, 2009 by FordWagonNut

[FordWagonNut]

Looking good.

The trim was a 4 eyes trim glad you caught that and fixed it I can also see the battery in your pics Like Eric says it's on the wrong side. I'd suggest buying you the 93 Cobra kit as a Donor that would net you your LX tails and a correct looking underhood area plus any other fox parts you may need. Interior chassis motor and such

Thank you.

I was looking at the engine bay, I looked at it, even no owning one of these, I thought it just looked wrong. I wonder if Hobby Lobby carries the '93 Cobra kit? There are no longer any real well stocked hobby shops with in driving distance here in the NW burbs of Chicago anymore.

[Eric Stone]

I wonder if Hobby Lobby carries the '93 Cobra kit? There are no longer any real well stocked hobby shops with in driving distance here in the NW burbs of Chicago anymore.

Good luck finding one at Hobby Lobby. They are available on eBay, with prices varying from a fair deal to outrageous depending on the seller. Mustang3.8 has one to trade in another thread on here. I'm interested in it, and he and I messaged a couple of times about something, but we haven't nailed anything certain down yet, so if you can work something out with him, go for it. You're already into this project and need it more than me. I just need one for a future build.

I have one started that will be a 93 Cobra R, but it has hit the back burner lately.

[Abell82]

If the taillights you have are from one of the GT convertibles, then they will be too large to fit the Coupe. I made mine, by sanding them flat and adding styrene. I did this, because the LX taillights stick out further, then the GT's any way. So it makes it more accurate, if you are careful. Color the lenses, on the inside, then foiled them, and glued them in place. It will make them look better then these:

The front bumper can be made. Here is one that I made:

Another shot:

I was working on a hatchback:

I think, that Reliable resin makes most of the parts that you seek. Rear window, taillights, and front bumper. If you buy off ebay, I think probably, you'll pay more, but get them shipped quicker.

Good Luck, and keep us posted.

[Eric Stone]

Jason, that looks good. Did that start out as the 93 Cobra kit? I see the battery is on the correct side... Where did that wing come from?

I need to get a project like that started, as you can see in my sig.

Edited December 18, 2009 by Eric Stone

[FordWagonNut]

If the taillights you have are from one of the GT convertibles, then they will be too large to fit the Coupe. I made mine, by sanding them flat and adding styrene. I did this, because the LX taillights stick out further, then the GT's any way. So it makes it more accurate, if you are careful. Color the lenses, on the inside, then foiled them, and glued them in place. It will make them look better then these:

The front bumper can be made. Here is one that I made:

Another shot:

I was working on a hatchback:

I think, that Reliable resin makes most of the parts that you seek. Rear window, taillights, and front bumper. If you buy off ebay, I think probably, you'll pay more, but get them shipped quicker.

Good Luck, and keep us posted.

WOW, very nice!

As for the tail lamps, that was sorta of the same idea I had in my head. I have a feeling thats the way I'm gona go.

Your front bumper is EXACTLY what I need. I have tried to rebuild the front "Ford" bar that goes across the headlamps and the front air spoiler, and it so far has turned into a turd.

I have a few days off next week, thanks to cut backs in hours. So I'm gona have a lot of one on one time with this project.

Thank you for the info Jason.

[Eric Stone]

Jason, how'd you make the front end?

[beefheart22]

Looking good so far.

[Abell82]

Jason, that looks good. Did that start out as the 93 Cobra kit? I see the battery is on the correct side... Where did that wing come from?

I need to get a project like that started, as you can see in my sig.

The rear spoiler is scratch built. The model is based on a 93 Cobra. It is actually 1 of 4, that I have converted.

Jason, how'd you make the front end?

The front bumper began life as a GT front cover. I carefully removed most of the center portion between the headlights, using sanding sticks, and a half round file. You need to leave a small portion! I then added styrene stock, to the back side of the opening until I had the correct shape. You can kind of see what I mean here:

( I think that this pic is actually the second one, I made. From a Cobra bumper. But you get the point.)

Now, as far as making the bar. There are several ways to do this. You can try to save the one from the GT front bumper. You can try to make one, and add a photoetched Ford emblem. Or you can do like I did. Use the center portion of the grille from a Revell 97 Ford F150. Stripped of chrome, cut and sanded. It works perfect, and it's beefy enough to withstand handling. That's the easy part. Then you have to fix the trim, and make the new lower section.

[Eric Stone]

LOL I'm dying to know how you did the new lower section. I think I know the answer, just build up some areas and take away others until it's right, but I'm hoping you have some sort of clever fix.

I've heard you can start with an SVO lower front valence and work from that.

[FordWagonNut]

The rear spoiler is scratch built. The model is based on a 93 Cobra. It is actually 1 of 4, that I have converted.

The front bumper began life as a GT front cover. I carefully removed most of the center portion between the headlights, using sanding sticks, and a half round file. You need to leave a small portion! I then added styrene stock, to the back side of the opening until I had the correct shape. You can kind of see what I mean here:

( I think that this pic is actually the second one, I made. From a Cobra bumper. But you get the point.)

Now, as far as making the bar. There are several ways to do this. You can try to save the one from the GT front bumper. You can try to make one, and add a photoetched Ford emblem. Or you can do like I did. Use the center portion of the grille from a Revell 97 Ford F150. Stripped of chrome, cut and sanded. It works perfect, and it's beefy enough to withstand handling. That's the easy part. Then you have to fix the trim, and make the new lower section.

I like it.....I know what I will be doing this week.

I'm with Eric, I would LOVE to know what you did for the lower air dam.

[Abell82]

I like it.....I know what I will be doing this week.

I'm with Eric, I would LOVE to know what you did for the lower air dam.

I have heard that SVO, thing before as well. But, have you ever seen an LX, that was made with an SVO lower front valence? I have not. Even the AAM resin hatchback, which is based on the SVO body did not use the SVO lower front valence. I don't think that it has the correct shape, but, maybe...?

There was one that used a Crown Vic lower bumper/valence. It was not terrible, but the builder was in too big of a hurry, and never took the time and finished it like it should have been. He made resin copies, and tried to sell them on Ebay. (Anyone have one? I'd kind of like a copy of that one.)

I don't really have a secret easy way to make one. But I can give you some tip's on how to do it.