1982 Mustang 5.0 unusual wide body looks like a McLaren kit

[TERRELLDA]

What kit would this have been? According to the VIN it is a 1982 Ford Mustang 5.0 5 speed Black leather seats
It looks like a M81 McLaren Kit but it has no other badging.

 

[85GTStangGuy]

Or could it be a Mustang GT Enduro??

 

[TERRELLDA]

No roll cage and there are no id plates on the passenger dash, engine firewall or on the engine that would allude to this being 1 of the three 1982 GT Enduros from Firestone. Maybe it was a dealer installed kit?

 

[Noobz347]

Matters not! Snatch it up and we'll figure it out later. LoL

 

[TERRELLDA]

Carb is missing, the intake is taped off and interior needs work. Outside of fiberglass body is in good shape doors and hatch open and close good.

 

[Noobz347]

I am almost 100% certain that, that [is] a Mclaren. The body mold going back into the doors is one of the main giveaways along with that "garage attempt" looking hood cowl.

The body piece alone are worth more than she's asking. Can you get a look underneath of it at all?

Hell, if it were me, I'd haul the damned thing away and consider the implication afterward. Even if we assume somebody built a "clone" we still end up back at a pile of parts currently made of "unobtanium".

The engine is irrelevant really. It needs a roller block anyway.

 

[Noobz347]

I see "Pep Boys" parts on too.

 

[TERRELLDA]

Also, it has no title. Last registered in 1995. So a bonded title would need to be applied for. Previous owner is deceased. Only titled once in 1992 according to TX DMV records. More of a project than I am looking for.

 

[Noobz347]

Or could it be a Mustang GT Enduro??

As I'm sitting here looking this thing up, I think this ^^^^ is correct.

 

[Noobz347]

Also, it has no title. Last registered in 1995. So a bonded title would need to be applied for. Previous owner is deceased. Only titled once in 1992 according to TX DMV records. More of a project than I am looking for.

Ok but... Don't move. LoL

@LaserSVT
On Dasher
On Dancer
I don't need to call the other guys cuz they'll probably find this thread anyway... except maybe... @95steedamustang

 

[TERRELLDA]

Well then what is it worth to someone who wants to put the time and money in bringing it back?
I already have 3 projects in pieces and my wife is dead set against me buying it.

 

[Noobz347]

Well then what is it worth to someone who wants to put the time and money in bringing it back?
I already have 3 projects in pieces and my wife is dead set against me not buying it.

I'll try and rally some folks that might be interested in the project. I tagged a couple up there. The others will find this thread through their normal travels.

Hell, I might even be interested myself if I can get @LaserSVT to go get a look at it. Not sure how far away he is tho.

 

[85GTStangGuy]

No roll cage and there are no id plates on the passenger dash, engine firewall or on the engine that would allude to this being 1 of the three 1982 GT Enduros from Firestone. Maybe it was a dealer installed kit?

Didn't realize Enduros had a roll cage.

Upon further digging, the Enduros actually had a different front fascia.... round outside openings, and a large rectangular center cutout for those big headlight-size driving (fog?) lights. Plus, it doesn't have that funky rear spoiler that morphs down into the rear quarter panels.

As I'm sitting here looking this thing up, I think this ^^^^ is correct.

Actually, I'm thinking I was wrong on my Enduro guess now.... based on more investigative work.

I already have 3 projects in pieces and my wife is dead set against me not buying it.

Well, that settles it. She won't let you NOT buy it. Gotta keep her happy.... it's y'all's now!

Seriously though, I think you found a barn find (or more appropriately, a field find). I think there's money to be made on the thing. It's a rare car (seeing a production number of 1806 units at one site) and while the market for it would be small, there is still a desire for something like that, imo. Present it to the better half as a money-maker, not a project for yourself!?

 

[TERRELLDA]

Located in East Texas

 

[Noobz347]

Actually, I'm thinking I was wrong on my Enduro guess now.... based on more investigative work.

What did you find that I didn't? I found that there was no Mclaren in 82 but there [was] and Enduro. Did you find something else?

 

[TERRELLDA]

This is as close as I could find. same body work with exception of the rear spoiler.

1982 Ford Mustang GT Enduro

1982 Ford Mustang GT Enduro

bangshift.com

 

[85GTStangGuy]

What did you find that I didn't? I found that there was no Mclaren in 82 but there [was] and Enduro. Did you find something else?

The front fascia differences. No roll cage. No id tags anywhere. Different shaped "brake cooling inlet" on lower front of rear quarter panels (McLaren appears more diamond shaped whereas the Enduro inlet looks truncated at the leading edge). No rear spoiler on McLarens (Enduros had them) and there don't appear to be any spoiler mounting holes in the hatch.

Yea, not sure on the 1982 thing. I remember reading somewhere that the McLarens took over a year to complete, with all the bodywork and everything. Maybe the car was acquired by them in '82 (hence the vin #), but by the time it was completed it was sold as an '83 (or even '84) McLaren. Just throwing a thought out there.

 

[Potomus Pete]

It says one of three made. How rusty is the field find

 

[TERRELLDA]

Only one spot of rust through at driver rear roof corner. Everything else is just surface. Gotta love Texas. Last registered in 1995 Only titled once in 1992, Texas title. Guessing the car must have set for 10 years in a dealership collection.

 

[Noobz347]

I also saw something indicating the Mclarens to be 2.3t and the Enduro an 8-cyl.

Whoever had it before, definitely "messed" with it.


This might explain why we don't see the holes for the wing: