**update** Haven't been updating this page very regularly, but do check out my Reader's Rides thread on GrandMarq.net (aka GMN). There are some pictures linked from my signature line on there as well.
http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?t=16792

I should also share the link to my SuperMotors.net registry. I don't have a lot there, but I did upload several new pics on 10/28 after my nomination for Panther of the Month on GMN.
http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/16474

And finally (for now), a link to proof of my personal 15 minutes of fame - this car was indeed voted Panther of the Month for November 2007. Very flattered, and many thanks to all who voted!
Clicky here for screenshot

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This vehicle entered my possession in 1997 as a $4000 used car. During the first 8 years or so, I installed basic upgrades such as a PST rear swaybar, US Wheel chrome 15x8 rims, and a conical air filter, performance ignition coil and wires, and a homebrewed dual exhaust. After rebuilding the original standard-output 5.0 in 2004, I couldn't get it to run right with the original EFI system and eventually threw up my hands and donated the engine to my worse-looking but currently more complete '79 Country Squire that's now been my daily driver for over a year. This year I built up a '96 Explorer engine with GT40 heads, a Crane cam, and an Offy intake and Edelbrock carb and dropped it in the Mercury. Among getting married and moving to an apartment 300 miles away and searching for a job and such, finishing the car is proving slow going, but I'd still like to share what I've done with other Panther-body enthusiasts on this site.

Note on the unique wheels: I learned from Blaze86Vic that my vintage turbine-style rims were likely made by a firm called Western Wheels, and not American Racing. Check his pics - they do look strikingly similar.

2007/01/26 NEWS FLASH: For the first time since prior to 2001, the car has full exhaust with over-the-axle tailpipes. The system consists of a Pacesetter Mustang X-pipe, Flowtech 2.5" intermediate flow tubes, Soundmaster mufflers, and modified Summit Racing tailpipes. Since the mufflers are (regrettably) 2.25" out, I installed them backwards with 2.5" ID x 2.25" OD adapters, which happened to set the mufflers back just enough to fit nicely in the original locations, and the 19" cases are about perfect to meet the tailpipes in an appropriate position. The image on the right shows my solution for exits - during testing on the other wagon, I cut the pipes off behind the axle and added 45-degree bends - and I made simple hangers secured under one nut of the U-bolt and secured them to the original hanger location on the frame. It's funny, the exhaust doesn't really "rumble" like I'm used to from the '79, but has a smoother "ripping" sound when you goose the gas ... I expect that might be a function of the smoother headers (the stock GT units seem somehow harsher) and the "X" crossover pipe, which some claim to be a bit quieter than a comparable H-pipe. But hey, quiet is good!

During this visit, I also loomed up some of the messy wiring under the hood, installed and wired the wipers using hacked original wiring, and adjusted the hood release. It never occurred to me when making the collision repairs that it could be reinstalled in such a way that the hood wouldn't release properly, but it works now. There's also an auxiliary set of FIAM "freeway blaster" horns behind the grille awaiting a switch so I can use them on the street. They're much more aggressive-sounding than the original horns, which I wired to the cruise control "on" button after smoking something trying to use the aftermarket horns with the original horn button. It'd almost be cooler to be able to sound all four at once, but I'll have to use a relay for that lest I burn up more difficult-to-replace factory wiring stuff. You'd think I'd have learned my lesson when I burned up the original starter switch and had to get a pushbutton ....

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Page 1: Intro
Page 2: Engine details
Page 3: Suspension and General History
Page 4: What is a 5.0 HO?