What do you guys think (Sorry Sandy!)

BRYAN ROGERS · Post by **BRYAN ROGERS** » Fri May 19, 2006 7:08 am

Here's a rough Photoshop job of what I have in mind for my 88 McLaren.

The car was originally red and I've decided that the one that I stole the pic of from ascmclaren.com is fairly impressive so I'll go ahead and re-do it in red.

I have all of the parts here to do this project (except the flushed 3rd brake light which will be LEDs or a retro fit from some other car).

The rocker panels are the McLaren ones, but the bumper cover and front fender extensions are 93 Cobra. The door belt moulding will also be GT to match the front and rear bumpers together properly (never liked the original mix n' match job)

Sandy, I know that you are not a fan of straying form the original ASC format, but I live and breathe modified Mustangs so I apologize to you.

I do hereby promise not to do anything less than top notch customization,

I.E. no goofy sound systems, projector head/fog lights, dingle/disco balls, under car lighting, or musical horns here. Just flavoring it up a bit with some retro modding.

Other than the fuzzy Photoshop what do you guys think?

DaytonaTim · Post by **DaytonaTim** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:56 am

NICE!!

Real nice, very clean looking and a good looking low stance that is very drivable.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:24 am

IF THAT is YOUR car, THAT is georgous!! I like the wheels, too.

It's fine to alter a car to the owner's likes. I'd be a nut-case to say otherwise. But.... let me explain the downside.

With a car as rare as any ascMcLaren, if every owner did serious mods, there would be no "norm" or "Correct" restoration. "What WAS the correct wheel, for a 1989? What was the correct seat? I've seen so many different ones I don't know what's "Correct"? See, what I mean?

I have always felt this is an area where Chevrolet Owners are wiser than Ford owners. Go to a Corvette show. Every 'Vette is displayed bone stock. Very few with mods, maybe 10% modded. Then go to a Ford show, specifically a Mustang show. How many 1979-1993 Mustangs can you find bone stock? Out of 25 you might find 2. I feel that THIS is the reason - percentage-wise - that 'Vettes retain a higher percentage of their value, (when new) than Mustangs. Modding appeals to the under 30 set. but bone stock examples appeal more to the over 40 set. Generally speaking, the over 40 set has more purchase power ($$$$) and demands originality, rather than the prior owner's choice of mods. So, with more purchase power, the stock Corvette brings more $$$ percentage-wise to original cost, than does the highly modded 'Stang, if if if if one is selling thru Hemmings, DuPont Registry, The Robb Report or similiar publication.

Underhood go faster enhancements, such as Mike's Navy Coupe ARE worth more, but when exterior or interior visable mods are done, ESPECIALLY non reversable Mods, then the car is later reduced to a "THIS is HOW I wanted it" ... for sale in the local newspaper car.

75coug · Post by **75coug** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:40 am

The photoshop job looks great. The trim pieces improve the car's appearance. I will have to withhold opinion on the wheels and lowering of the car, though.

BRYAN ROGERS · Post by **BRYAN ROGERS** » Fri May 19, 2006 3:37 pm

The wheels are from 96-98 Mustang GT.

I converted my Mc to 5 lug and there is a Baer brake kit in the boxes ready to go on after the car gets painted.

I don't have any plans to sell the car and since i got it so cheap there is no reason not to make it exaclty how I want it.

Especially since I work in the aftermarket performance biz.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Fri May 19, 2006 4:31 pm

Definately like the 5-lugs !!

Post by **negusm** » Fri May 19, 2006 5:45 pm

Personally, it's too low. I've never like lowered cars where the wheel disappears or retreats into the upper portion of the wheel well.

-Mike

n20capri · Post by **n20capri** » Fri May 19, 2006 6:11 pm

BRYAN ROGERS wrote:The wheels are from 96-98 Mustang GT.

I converted my Mc to 5 lug and there is a Baer brake kit in the boxes ready to go on after the car gets painted.

I don't have any plans to sell the car and since i got it so cheap there is no reason not to make it exaclty how I want it.

Especially since I work in the aftermarket performance biz.

What kind of aftermarket do you deal with? My car is heavily modded...lol. I was looking at k-member/coil overs next...

EDIT: Nevermind...I saw your url...BBK!!

BRYAN ROGERS · Post by **BRYAN ROGERS** » Fri May 19, 2006 8:07 pm

It isn't really that low. It's just hard to Photoshop everything to exact proportions.

It will only be 1"- 1-1/4" lower than stock.

The 17"s in reality are a bit smaller in the wheel well too.

I highly recommend the Maximum Motorsports K-member with coil overs.

n20capri · Post by **n20capri** » Fri May 19, 2006 8:51 pm

BRYAN ROGERS wrote:It isn't really that low. It's just hard to Photoshop everything to exact proportions.

It will only be 1"- 1-1/4" lower than stock.

The 17"s in reality are a bit smaller in the wheel well too.

I highly recommend the Maximum Motorsports K-member with coil overs.

Yeah I really liked their kit cause it's complete with lower brace, cc plates etc...but it's not as light as others PLUS it lenghens the wheelbase 3/4" and I don't like the look of that...plus I drive mine on the street alot and I dont want to have to modify the wheel wells...

ASCMCLRN · Post by **ASCMCLRN** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:03 pm

My rant. I think it looks really sharp. As far as comments well repainting it another color is going to hurt resale as you know. Its your car and all but how long do you hold onto your cars? If you are going to get bored with it why not work on a theme that was based on the original color? I would love to see this with 93 Cobra wheels too lol. You already own a 93 red Cobra do you want what will look like a convertible version of it? Also if you wanted to Baer sells a nice 4lug 4w disc kit 12" rotors so you can use stock wheels as well. I plan on a stock look that handles and performes well myself.

Now speaking of Mustangs in general not the rare colectibles like we have, the Mustang sells so many units per year that people want their individuality and they became the greatest tuner cars with so many aftermarket parts. As long as its tasteful there shouldnt be to many problems.

Nick

BRYAN ROGERS · Post by **BRYAN ROGERS** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:18 pm

My Mclaren was red originally.

Some joker did a crappy silver spray job on it.

That's why I got it so cheap.

I've been wanting to paint it dark charcoal metallic, but after seeing the one in the pic here, I realized that the red would do me just fine.

The whole intereior is going to be customized too.