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PROJECT FASTMONT - 1983 FORD FAIRMONT FUTURA
story and photos by Dan Hankin

I've been working on this car for too long. I bought it for $150 in August of 2000 and it has since lived or been stored at four houses. I've had the motor in and out of it at least four times, and the transmission twice more than that. Just about everything on the car has been replaced at least twice - either because I did it wrong the first time or I traded my way into something newer or better and replaced it. This Fairmont has been one learning experience after another.

The most important lesson? Prioritize your projects and FINISH one before you start another. I can blame the stuff of life getting in the way for sucking up a good amount of the years the car has sat, but truth be told my ambition gets the best of me more often than not. I have more unfinished projects than I'd like to admit. That said, the Fairmont is on track to be running this summer, and I'm not touching any of my other projects until this one moves under its own power. Of course, I've said that five summers in a row now.

Ok, so you want details? Currently its got a fresh forged piston 302 with a Edelbrock Performer intake, Trick Flow cam, and ported '70 351 Windsor heads. It's backed by a built C4 and 8.8 rear with 4.10 gears. It's lowered two inches at all four corners with FRPP lowering springs, and a Thunderbird Turbo Coupe gave up its fat sway bars to help tighten things up at the autocross. Boxed rear control arms will help it hook off the line, and poly bushings all around should get rid of suspension slop.

The paint was done by a former vendor, and will need to be redone once I get the car finished and running. The colors are wrong, the trunk is bubbling, and it's a ten foot job at best. I did take out the interior and paint all of the interior plastic black. I also installed a new black dash pad and am in the process of sewing new black vinyl upholstery. I took sewing classes at a local sewing shop to learn how to do my own seats. I can also make a mean baby blanket. Go ahead, make fun. My baby's blankets are WAY cooler than your baby's blankets.