Hey guys!
I've browsed through here a few times, and decided to join. I'm on a few other Panther forums (anyone from CVN will know me as Bellwestern80) and even still on some Taurus ones, too. I briefly had a '89 Sable as a failed project, but it'll get to live on with a new owner that will be giving it a wonderful restoration, much like his old '92 Sable, but that's another story.
My ride is my 1997 Grand Marquis LS, which I got back in 2011 when it had about 112K miles on it.
Being a full-time student and part-time employee, I drive a lot, between campus, work, and home, it all adds up, and I'm nearing 146K, so 34K miles isn't bad in three years. That also includes trips with family and vacation travels.
I don't have any recent photos (I've since replaced the headlights), but this is how it looks:
New and old meet a lot on this car, the recent project (somewhat finished), was the horizontal 140 MPH cluster swap along with a 1994 steering wheel. I prefer the "brick" more.
And even for a daily driver, I think it does okay at getting attention:
First Place winner at Carlisle 2014 for Full Size Mercurys 1969 & Up
And on the way I home, I stopped along the Blue Ridge Parkway, somewhere along the 600 odd mile drive.
All the modifications done to it so far have been:
Exterior Stuff:
-1992 Grand Marquis Side Markers
-'Grand Marquis' Fender Badges
-Black Grille
-1988 MGM Hood Ornament
-15" Body Colored Steelies with Dog Dishes and Trim Rings
-V8 Trunk Badge - Awaiting 281 Badge
-Front Turn Signal Mod
-1992 Wiper Cowl for Pin Arms
-1950s Sparton 12v Horn Set
-New Headlights
Interior Stuff:
-1990 Horizontal 140 MPH Speedometer (Modified to have 6-Digit odometer and proper PRN(D)21 gear indicator)
-1994 H-Bar Mercury Steering Wheel
-Pioneer Head Unit hooked to Premium Sound System
-Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror with Compass
-LCM Turn Signal Relay Bypass
-1996 4.6L Engine Cover
Motor and Drivetrain:
-Original 4.6L with a 1997 P71 ECU
-Original 4R70W
-1998 6G Alternator (It has over 230K, and output readings are very healthy)
-Dual Exhaust
-2.73 Rear End
Stuff planned for the future:
-3.55 Rear End
-Finishing a proper filler piece for speedometer
-Finishing illuminated front door reflectors
-Heated Mirrors
-Aluminum Drive Shaft
-New Mufflers
-Transmission Cooler
Its a fun car to be able to drive each day.
Future plans might also include another Panther, but that'll be something to be seen about. If it does work, I might be picking up a '91 Colony Park in a few months, since I'm looking for a capable hauling/towing vehicle that can also be used for daily tasks, too.
Well, that's my spiel of an introduction, and I hope to become more entwined with the community.
I've browsed through here a few times, and decided to join. I'm on a few other Panther forums (anyone from CVN will know me as Bellwestern80) and even still on some Taurus ones, too. I briefly had a '89 Sable as a failed project, but it'll get to live on with a new owner that will be giving it a wonderful restoration, much like his old '92 Sable, but that's another story.
My ride is my 1997 Grand Marquis LS, which I got back in 2011 when it had about 112K miles on it.
Being a full-time student and part-time employee, I drive a lot, between campus, work, and home, it all adds up, and I'm nearing 146K, so 34K miles isn't bad in three years. That also includes trips with family and vacation travels.
I don't have any recent photos (I've since replaced the headlights), but this is how it looks:
New and old meet a lot on this car, the recent project (somewhat finished), was the horizontal 140 MPH cluster swap along with a 1994 steering wheel. I prefer the "brick" more.
And even for a daily driver, I think it does okay at getting attention:
First Place winner at Carlisle 2014 for Full Size Mercurys 1969 & Up
And on the way I home, I stopped along the Blue Ridge Parkway, somewhere along the 600 odd mile drive.
All the modifications done to it so far have been:
Exterior Stuff:
-1992 Grand Marquis Side Markers
-'Grand Marquis' Fender Badges
-Black Grille
-1988 MGM Hood Ornament
-15" Body Colored Steelies with Dog Dishes and Trim Rings
-V8 Trunk Badge - Awaiting 281 Badge
-Front Turn Signal Mod
-1992 Wiper Cowl for Pin Arms
-1950s Sparton 12v Horn Set
-New Headlights
Interior Stuff:
-1990 Horizontal 140 MPH Speedometer (Modified to have 6-Digit odometer and proper PRN(D)21 gear indicator)
-1994 H-Bar Mercury Steering Wheel
-Pioneer Head Unit hooked to Premium Sound System
-Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror with Compass
-LCM Turn Signal Relay Bypass
-1996 4.6L Engine Cover
Motor and Drivetrain:
-Original 4.6L with a 1997 P71 ECU
-Original 4R70W
-1998 6G Alternator (It has over 230K, and output readings are very healthy)
-Dual Exhaust
-2.73 Rear End
Stuff planned for the future:
-3.55 Rear End
-Finishing a proper filler piece for speedometer
-Finishing illuminated front door reflectors
-Heated Mirrors
-Aluminum Drive Shaft
-New Mufflers
-Transmission Cooler
Its a fun car to be able to drive each day.
Future plans might also include another Panther, but that'll be something to be seen about. If it does work, I might be picking up a '91 Colony Park in a few months, since I'm looking for a capable hauling/towing vehicle that can also be used for daily tasks, too.
Well, that's my spiel of an introduction, and I hope to become more entwined with the community.
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