Left: Immediately after purchasing the car the 14" polycast road wheels got replaced with 15" XR7 rims from my storage shed.

Left: I didn't intend to create an evil-looking car but after an accident in January 1996, the repair shop was able to install all the cool parts I'd been accumulating for the car: Turbo Coupe hood, front air dam and rear valance. Prior to the accident I experimented with the Tempo mirror conversion. On went a pair of '83 clear turn signals, and installed the same Marchal fog lamps. A custom grille, painted side markers and blackout headling covers completed the ominous transformation. It wasn't fast, it wasn't loud, but it looked m-e-a-n. The car's paint finish was actually very bad (cracks and peeling) and didn't look nearly as nice as it does in these photos. But that's the magic of photography!

Left: Inside, an XR7 2-spoke sport steering wheel, console, painted dash and console panels, carbon fiber-simulated dash trim, and a Turbo Coupe instrument cluster all got installed.

Left: A work-in-progress shot of the interior. Notice the rotary heater panel conversion, Taurus cupholder assembly, Taurus rear window defroster switch, and light-up Cougar nomenclature.

Left: A closer look at the Tempo mirror conversion.

Left: One of the last photos of me and the car before it got banged up in yet another accident (also not my fault) in November 1996. It was disheartening to see the accomplishments that I'd put into the car get destroyed. At that point, I did not feel like putting more money into this car and promptly sold it. Can't really say I miss it. I'd like to think that it inspired a few people though.