Modified or customized?

BRYAN ROGERS · Post by **BRYAN ROGERS** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:25 am

Any body here have a modified or customized Mclaren?

I am working on an 88 and would love to see pics of what's out there.

Thanks

Bryan

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 2:27 pm

Over all the years I've been into these 1984-1990 ascMcLarens, I can only recall perhaps 4 or 5 that I saw photos of that were modified/customized. I was of the opinion that only one was an improvement upon the original. The others were just downright ugly and overdone. I wish that I could find that one example to post here, for you, but I have no idea where to go to find it. Yes, at one time it was on the web.....If I find it, I'll post the link....
EDIT: Found a picture of the McLaren Pirahana
Click this & scan down a bit.....
http://www.panteracars.com/PantherSpots102003a.pdf

BRYAN ROGERS · Post by **BRYAN ROGERS** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 3:25 pm

Thanks Sandy!

That looked like a "Daytona" front bumper kit from a now extinct company called MPH. They used to make Fox-body mustangs accept the Thunderbird S.C. style headlights. I know it's not an MPH kit but that's what it reminded me of.

I really like the B.S. about that car being an early competitor of Saleen. What a load!

I used to work at Saleen and I can tell you that I've never heard of that car before.

On my '88 McLaren I am going to change the wheels, skirt kit, color, and interior. I wont be making any exterior sheetmetal changes.

I'm using a 93 Cobra rear bumper, grillea insert, and moldings. The wheels are machine finished 97-98 GTs.

I have already welded up all of the holes in the engine bay to give it a smooth look.

Bryan

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 4:17 pm

There were only 8 Pirhanas made: 1 Notchback, 2 Hatchback & 5 'Verts.
I think the company was under capitalized. A Ron Cayce headed it up, along with others. 50% of that production went to the Middle East. I believe that a mere 4 cars remained in the USA.
The "Trick" part was the hood was part of the fenders and reverse opened from the cowl, (like an Avanti) and it was all power operated, via a key fob. It was based upon an ascMcLaren. It was expensive.
Yes, I recall that MPH kit. I actually liked it alot. It gave the Mustang the thinner sexier looking headlamps & hood of the T-Bird.
Problem with this stuff is when it ever gets hit & the owner needs new parts....you can't exactly go to the bone yard looking!!

BRYAN ROGERS · Post by **BRYAN ROGERS** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 4:29 pm

Yup!
I hear ya on that. At least I could fake most of the parts on my 93 Cobra
if it needed surgery. Heck, I could even build an exact replica from any hatch even a 79!

Not that I would ever, ever want to have to do that.

MPH was in Huntington Beach, Ca. I used to drive by and see that Daytona kit on a yellow Fox in the parking lot.

Wings West sells the old JBA "Dominator" kit that looks very similar to the Daytona. It's really pricey though.

Bryan

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:42 pm

I notice Bryan, that your cars are all bone stock

BRYAN ROGERS · Post by **BRYAN ROGERS** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:19 pm

Well you know how people say "they don't make 'em like they used to"?

I say "they never made them like I wished they did so I'll do it myself".

Plus I like to go really, really fast in my cars. (Safely of course).

Bryan

n20capri · Post by **n20capri** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:46 pm

I have a little work done to mine...

(Right Click the Picture - Save Target As For an 11sec wheels up Vid...

)

Visit my site for more pics/vids/info
www.mikemartinelli.com

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:46 pm

I was always the "all show & no go" type. The Automatic Corvette & GTO and Buick Gran Sport Stage I ~ I'd drive 'em like a 70 year old woman would. It was all about image, I guess. All I ever heard over & over & over & over from my parents was "Go slow - you could have an accident & get killed" ~ Hey, I was 20 -22 - I didn't wanna get klilled, soooo, I went slow ! Driving down to see our son in college, now-a-days we alway see wreck on the PA Turnpike and NJ Turnpike and frequently Medavac Helicopters on the roadway air lifting the dying to a hospital, soooo, I still go among the slowest moving cars.
Then again...I never liked the roller coaster either !

BRYAN ROGERS · Post by **BRYAN ROGERS** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 10:05 pm

Capri-
Very nice and clean.

I have built a few American Iron Mustang racecars (mostly SN95s) for people when the opportunies present themselves. I also spend some time on the track. So I kinda modeled my Cobra's engine after one of my favorite cars that I built. It belongs to Tim Gilpin at Brothers Performance(pics in my gallery).

I mostly love throwing the thing around tight turns. I try not to abuse it too much. I guess autocrossing is probably my favorite type of driving.
(I practice every day on the way to and from wherever I'm going)

Plus, I really need to test out those BBK parts thoroughly!

Bryan

Bryan

BRYAN ROGERS · Post by **BRYAN ROGERS** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 2:18 am

I put some pics of my cars and some other stuff in my album.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 2:51 am

I'll go look

Mike, would you be interested in a stud fee? My asc coupe
saw the photos and well......

at 1st site! "Grey Mac"
would like to invite yours to come spend an evening in her
heated garage and take yours out to dine at the Sunoco
watering hole, and give you pick of the litter, too!

n20capri · Post by **n20capri** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:25 am

Sandy wrote:I'll go look

Mike, would you be interested in a stud fee? My asc coupe
saw the photos and well...... at 1st site! "Grey Mac"
would like to invite yours to come spend an evening in her
heated garage and take yours out to dine at the Sunoco
watering hole, and give you pick of the litter, too!

HAHA I wish it was that easy...you got any single daughters around 30? lol

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:38 am

Just a 21 y.o. son, sorry. Stay Single! (Or you'll be trading that McLaren in on a nice Dodge Caravan

"Yes, Dear"

n20capri · Post by **n20capri** » Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:51 am

Sandy wrote: (Or you'll be trading that McLaren in on a nice Dodge Caravan "Yes, Dear"

That my friend will NEVER happen...