New from North Texas - '87 SSP
 

Hello!

My name is Bryan, been into Mustangs for many years, moderate a couple of forums, etc. Bill (28hopup) sort of pointed me in the right direction over here. I picked up a 1987 LX coupe today, that has many of the markings of an SSP car, extra ground straps on all the hinges, relocated trunk release, cert. 140 mph speedo, 100 lb oil pressure gauge, screw holes in the dash, trunk floor and under the trunk lid, etc. Has two buck tags in place but hard to read and cannot get the screws out to save my life. Partial read off of one of them, I can make out the words TEXAS, SPECIAL ___ and REMAINDER on the bottom line. More importantly, the VIN matches your VIN project, so I feel pretty comfortable calling it an SSP.

As you can see, the previous owner decided to give it a 4 eye conversion, which is admittedly what initially attracted me to the car. Now that I know it's probably legit though, I'm having second thoughts about leaving it this way. Time will tell I guess.

Anywho, she's showing 18k and change, so it's anybody's guess whether that's 118 or 218, although she drives awfully tight to be 218. Still bone stock, Speed Density, T5 and all, save for a tacky add on air filter in place of the stock box (which, if someone has a spare they wouldn't mind parting with, I would be glad to take it off your hands!). She's had a repaint in DSG, but judging by some spots under the hood, I'm guessing she was an 8L car to begin with, and she still sports a pretty clean Sand Beige interior. Missing the ash tray door, but I've already located a decent replacement on FEP.

Looking forward to finding out more about her and seeing what path she decides to take! Here's a few pics for now -

http://badtexasgt.com/coupe/001a.jpg


http://badtexasgt.com/coupe/003a.jpg


http://badtexasgt.com/coupe/004a.jpg


http://badtexasgt.com/coupe/005a.jpg


http://badtexasgt.com/coupe/006a.jpg


http://badtexasgt.com/coupe/007a.jpg

Welcome and congrats. Looks like a clean car. Someone must have loved 4-eyed cars! Swapped out the rear bumper too. There's some nice sand beige pieces on ebay right now that keep getting a little more reasonable in price.

Thanks! I had already bought the rest of the side trim before I realized exactly what the car is, not sure I'll use it now. Heading to Ebay to check out the SB stuff.

Nice to see you here, Bryan. For the rest of the group, I know Bryan from www.mustangcollective.com and FEP, and this guy from Texas is CRAZY. Do y'all see that blue GT in the garage?


...well he drove it to Maryland to go drag racing last year. With just a tune, DR's, and exhaust, he was literally able to pull this -

http://www.mustangcollective.com/ima...b31a720179.jpg


The GTO guys that were sharing the track with us couldn't believe a relatively stock 5.0L was lifting the front tire.

Bryan, in terms of your SSP it is definitely a Mustang used by the Texas Department of Public Safety. That's based off of the VIN, which falls in between two other TxDPS cars with the same DSO numbers. I know you are a regular on FEP, so if you have heard the next part please forgive the repetition. You should contact Marti Auto Works to get a Marti Report (Deluxe or Standard). They also sell replacement VIN labels for your door.

Congrats again on the new car! :cool:

I ordered the basic build sheet from Ford yesterday, heading to Marti today. I'm actually hopeful on this one that it's in good enough shape the original build sheet might be in there and readable.

Marti report and new door sticker ordered. Can't wait to see them!

Bryan, I see that you're wasting no time! :)

Ordering paperwork is easy! LOL! It's making the decision to redo the Aero front end that will be tough. This car looks really good as is, but it almost screams for a resto.

I could use that nose if you ever want to part with it! ;)

Here is the new page in our VIN Project for your new SSP -

http://www.specialservicemustang.net...info184623.htm


:)

So what exactly does that DSO# mean? Will that help tell me where she did her duty?

Welcome!
The dso indicates where it was ordered from.

I'm in roanoke. I'd love to see your car. I have a match to it but mine is super rough.
Ted

Hey Ted, I responded via email too, but I'd love to show it off a little. Maybe after the Holiday we can get together. Bryan

District Sales Office.

Nice looking car! Welcome.

Man I love this car.

Thanks! It's grown on me quickly. I ordered a new Hurst shifter for her and some replacement knobs for the A/C controls. Then I was out driving and noticed how badly the cowl grille had been repainted, so ordered a new one, along with the mounting kit and lower windshield molding. Then the front turn signals looked bad so NPD got the nod for new ones, along with new mounting hardware and pigtails. Couldn't put my finger on it, but something didn't look right with the headlights. Yep, divider bars are missing. NPD came through on those as well. Late Model got the call for some SEM Sand Beige paint and prep, along with a new ashtray to go under my soon to be restored lid. Replaced the IAC to cure a seriously surging idle, found a new Motocraft silicone upper radiator hose. Added a single black pinstripe down each side to break up the gray a little. It's been a fun first few days with her!

Sounds like Christmas come early! Lol. I'm kinda hoping you keep the 4 eye front end on it. It's kinda the best of both worlds. The 87 and up interior is my favorite and I have grown to love the 85-85 front end. Keep us updated on the progress with pics!

As much as I'd like to do a full blown resto on her, I just can't bring myself to change anything on her at this time. She looks good as is, and she's staying that way. I want to change the wheels and am looking at a mass air conversion, but only because I had previously purchased an FRPP 306X crate motor for my '85 Capri that now needs a new home! Then possibly a 3550 swap, or a TKO (or at least figure out why this T5 shifts so badly, 2nd to 3rd is almost impossible to hit when shifting quickly) and just continue to replace parts as needed!

Just hang onto the stock parts, Bryan... :)

Stock parts aren't going anywhere. You know me, I'll build a turbo 331 for her and run it for a while and then get bored. That's the cool part about this one, get tired of having a bad ass coupe, then do a cop car resto on it!

Got the Marti report back
 

Here you go -

http://badtexasgt.com/coupe/marti_report_coupe_r.jpg

My 87 is 184629

They were prolly on the assembly line at the same time. Too cool.

That is cool! Makes the world feel a bit smaller somehow.

Just saw this post; very nice 87 coupe! I've been looking for a clean ssp coupe like yours, just havent found it yet.

Bryan

Welcome... always glad to see another TX DPS !

Jason, I'm the guy with the old Capri that got the doors and center console from you a year or two ago. You're first SSP was still in pieces back then, nice to see it all finished out man!

downtime I really like your avatar photo. Nice car !

Hey Brian...Yes I remember you. Glad you got a TX car now...What happened to the Capri??

Sold it to the guy I bought the SSP from. Made him a good deal just to get it gone, I believe he's daily driving it now. I still need to get with you about some parts for this one. Need those inner fender liners pretty badly.

Thanks Jim! Just a quickie at an old closed down grocery store parking lot.