Page 44 - Issue 37

The engine was supposed to be a 460 Ford, just
because Patrick just wanted a huge engine. He had one
pulled and ready to drop in. But there was a derelict ’89
Mustang 5.0 convertible in Patrick’s neighborhood. There
was a sticker on it, stating that it was about to be towed.
Mike, ever the great friend, said “You better grab that!”
The owners couldn’t afford to either tow it anywhere or
fi x it so they gave it to Patrick. Mike got it running that
night. Oh yeah – it was a 5-speed. It looked like crap but
ran like a jewel. For. Free.
Because it had a stick, Patrick insisted that it have a
super tall shifter… just like the cartoon hot rods. Mike said
it would be too hard to shift. Patrick wouldn’t budge.
He pleaded. “Miiiiiike… we gotta do this!” They did need
to get a short-throw shifter kit to cut down on the shift
pattern’s acreage, but he’s able to swap cogs just fi ne.

44 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE THIRTY-SEVEN

38x45 Desert Pirate.indd 44 4/19/16 8:57 AM