The winner of the February Ride of the Month is Dan Comte (FEP Username: Danco86) and his 1986 Ford Mustang GT Canadian Cobra. Dan joined FEP in 2012 which is also the same year that he purchased his 1986 GT from his father. His Dad was the original owner of the Canadian Cobra and Dan had wanted the car from the first time Dad drove it into the driveway. That opportunity finally came in 2012 when Dad decided he wanted a new Boss 302 Laguna Seca Mustang to replace the Cobra and Dan finally had his Four Eye Mustang.

Dan’s first memory of the Cobra began on September 15, 1986 when Dad roared up into the driveway in the brand new Mustang straight from the dealership. It would be another 25 years before Dan was able to drive the Cobra for the first time. When Dad decided to sell in 2012, Dan couldn’t stand the thought of the Mustang falling into the hands of someone who wouldn’t give it the love and car that it needs, so Dan immediately jumped on the opportunity. Dan’s desires for the GT Cobra was to turn back time and restore the car to its original glory, but rather than a completely stock restoration more of an enhanced version. The ability to work a long stretch of overtime to build the car’s budget and the fact that the Canadian dollar was on par with the US greenbacks were great helps in keeping the rebuild going and on track..



The GT maintains its original appearance with some tasteful modifications that take nothing away from the car originality, but add that much needed driving and performance enhancements we all enjoy so much today. This is an outstanding accomplishment considering this was Dan’s first complete Fox build. This included a full disassembly and reassembly that not only took place mainly outside, but with only the small subassemblies being done in the basement. Dan wanted to mention that many of the decisions on parts and repairs came courtesy of input by FEP members. Dan began a build thread to share his Mustang build with others. All that help and encouragement played such a crucial part in the success of this project. That is not to say that there weren’t problems along the way as so many FEP members have faced themselves. The biggest hurdle happened when it came time for paint and body work. Dan delivered the rolling chassis and panels to a body shop only to have them ruined by the shop and ultimately with the help of a trustworthy Bodyman had to be completely redone a second time. In spite of the additional costs of the second paint job, it was well worth it as the Mustang is now a perfect blend of childhood nostalgia and modern day driving performance. Thanks to having a clear vision, enough money, and a steady pace the Mustang turned out just as Dan had dreamed it would.



The Mustang Cobra still wears all its original sheet metal and body panels. Most of the interior is original too with only the high wear items needing replacement. The drivetrain consists of a balanced and blueprinted 302 CID small block complete with AFR 165 heads, Competition Cams roller rockers, Cobra intake, custom ground roller camshaft, Accufab 70mm throttle body, FMS 24# injectors, Pro-M 70mm Mass Air Flow, A9L computer, Diablosport CMS custom tune, and the original T5 transmission. All the new power flows through a set of BBK shorty headers, a 2.5” offroad H pipe, and a Flowmaster 2.5” catback system complete with stainless steel tips. All of the new performance parts pumped out an impressive 290 rear wheel horsepower and 310 rear wheel lb/ft of torque on a Mustang Chassis Dyno.



The suspension has been upgraded and improved over the original with the addition of Baer Racing 13” disc conversion front and rear including an adjustable proportioning valve, 15/16” Master Cylinder, 87-93 V8 spindles, and 5 lug conversion. The 8.8” rear axle has been fitted with 3.55 gears as well as Maximum Motorsports lower control arms. The Mustang rides on a set of Eibach Pro struts/shocks, springs, and swaybars. The chassis is tightened up with a set of Maximum Motorsports full length subframe connectors, strut tower brace, K member brace, aluminum rack bushings, and their solid steering shaft.



The Mustang has taken home 2 class winner awards since Dan’s completion of the rebuild. Now Dan can add Four Eyed Pride Ride of the Month to his ever increasing list of awards. Thanks to Dan and his 1986 Mustang GT Canadian Cobra for not only his participation in this month’s contest, but his long and detailed build thread here on FEP. http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...ng-GT-restomod
Dan’s build thread helps to illustrate the trials, the tribulations, the issues, and the accomplishments that all Four Eyed owners may go through on the long process of rebuilding and restoring our treasured vehicles. Dan’s Mustang this month helps to illustrate that with perseverance, some good planning, some luck, and a great work ethic, that ultimately the whole process is worth it and in the end you have one killer looking, riding, and driving Four Eye!