April 28th, 2006 - I didn't get a lot of work on the project over the Winter. My daily driver needed a clutch (that's a fun job on a FWD car!), my wife's Windstar tranny finally bit the dust, and my daughter has played soccer all Spring. So the project funds and time are pretty much decimated.
I did purchase an aftermarket dual-gauge pod for the dash of a SN-95 Mustang and a pair of white face Autometer gauges (clock and oil pressure) after Christmas. This will fit my dash surface after a little recontouring on its bottom. I also worked on my late-model 2.3L aluminum valve cover; removing the "EFI Turbo" script and leaving the "Ford" oval. Its not a perfect job, but it should look OK when I get the "2.3" letters mounted. I have a chromed plastic set molded in the "5.0" style, and I'm playing with cutting a set out of aluminum plate. Which ever looks best gets mounted.
I did get one more "bottom cleaning" session in during a warm spell in January, but that's about it. If I can find about 2 more 8 hour days, I should be able to complete the cleaning and painting of the gas tank area. Then on to reinstalling the parts I've been restoring for 3 years!
I was hoping to have this car at the Mustang Club of America's 30th Anniversary show in Birmingham this Labor Day, but since progress is so slow its just not going to happen. The car should be drivable well before that, but just not "showable".
I still haven't decided on converting the Ghia to a standard coupe (externally) yet. The change will be expensive in body work and new interior parts while the Ghia half-vinyl top just doesn't jive with my current road racer urge.