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The Grand National Roadster Show 2024

“The Grand Daddy of Them All,” The Grand National Roadster Show just took place this last weekend. Held annually in Pomona, California, is a premier event celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship of custom automobiles. Established in 1949, it has earned a reputation as one of the longest-running and most prestigious car shows in the world. Spanning multiple days, the show features an eclectic mix of meticulously restored classic cars, innovative hot rods, and custom-built vehicles, showcasing the creativity and passion of automotive enthusiasts. Attendees can marvel at the intricate details of each vehicle, from flawless paint jobs to finely tuned engines, and interact with passionate owners and builders.

FOX-BODY SPOTTER’S GUIDE

Fox-body cars changed over the years, usually for the better. So, while everyone can spot a Fox Mustang, we decided to take the time to compile photos of some of the more popular Fox variations so that you can tell just what you’re looking at the next time you head to a car show or dragstrip. Sadly, we can’t provide an absolutely comprehensive guide to spotting every Fox-body model produced. Some of these cars, such as the Mercury Marquis, are just too rare in enthusiast circles for us to have a single example of one in our photo library. We’ve also included a few pictures of historic Fox-platform racecars, for no other reason than we like them, and thought you would, too. So, if you don’t know an SVO from a Turbo Coupe from an XR7, study this guide so that you, too, can become a true Fox fan.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 1994-2007 Ford PSD DIESELSITE 40-Row Transmission Cooler

When you’re pushing the limits of your 7.3L or 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel—whether you’re running big power or hauling heavy—you’re playing a high-stakes game with your transmission. Heat is your enemy, and stock transmission coolers simply weren’t designed for the kind of loads serious truck owners demand. That’s where DIESELSITE steps in with a battle-ready solution: the 40-Row Transmission Cooler.

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Two-Hour Tech

Installing Control Freak S197 Tubular Suspension Components

Improving your S197 Mustang doesn’t have to be an arduous affair. You’re supposed to enjoy working on your car, RATHER than dreading getting off work because you “have” to wrench on the Ford. With that attitude in mind, we recently spoke with Al Kamhi, of Control Freak suspensions, to get his advice on what enthusiasts could do to further the concept of upgrading a Mustang in just an hour or two. But there’s a catch: the upgrade had to make a real difference in the car’s performance.

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Will Smith

Story & Photography

Introduction to Control Freak Upgrades for S197

Kamhi responded by sending us a variety of Control Freak products for the S197 platform. These parts included a tubular-steel strut tower brace that installs in under 5 minutes, yet reinforces the Mustang’s body structure to prevent unwanted torsional twist (flex) that will literally pull your tires out of alignment, thus reducing traction. This installation would hardly be exhausting, so the company also sent along an adjustable Panhard bar and matching lower control arms.

Benefits of Adjustable Arms and Panhard Bar

Adjustable arms aren’t new for the S197, but what we really like about the Control Freak design is that both the arms and the Panhard bar feature adjustable turnbuckles that make tuning them a snap. Just loosen the jam nuts on each component, then twist the turnbuckle to alter the part length, and retighten the jam nut—it couldn’t be easier.

Practical Applications and Adjustability

The adjustability built into the Panhard bar makes it easy to re-center the axle under a lowered car (lowering springs will pull the axle to one side, underneath the vehicle), while the control arms allow the user to change pinion angle in order to pick up a bit more traction at the track.

Installation Experience at G&S Custom Fabrication & Suspension

Since no one on the staff presently owns an S197, we went to G&S Custom Fabrication & Suspension, where Greg Blaydes found us a good candidate—a 2008 Mustang GT. As expected, the installation was as simple as Control Freak said it would be—the car was back on the ground in no time, and everything fit with no problems. You should be able to do this same work at home in under two hours, and when you do, drive the car after you’ve completed the installation; you’ll be glad you did—it makes that much difference.

Conclusion: Why It’s Worth Your Time

So, if it’s time you enjoyed working on your car again, and you want to make a difference with time well spent, here’s a great and worthwhile place to start.

1. Installing the strut tower brace is the easiest thing in the world. Just remove the two inner bolts on each strut tower and slip the brace over them.

2. Now just reinstall the nuts.

3. That’s it! This piece will stiffen the body structure and prevent body/chassis flex during hard cornering by providing much-needed triangulation, to give you better handling.

4. The lower control arms are stamped sheetmetal, and while they do their job on the street for normal use, they’re less than ideal when at the track under full power.

5. If you have a drive-on lift, you can leave the car on its wheels, as G&S did. The first step was to remove the bolt that secures the control arm to the axle.

6. Getting to the lower control arm front bolt is difficult with the car on its wheels, but it can be done.

7. Because the parking-brake cable runs through the lower control arm, you will need to unhook the cable from the caliper.

8. Now pass the cable through the control arm and remove the control arm from the car.

9. There’s no comparison between the old and new parts. Urethane bushings, beefier construction and adjustability make the Control Freak design far better than the Ford piece. Now is the time to adjust the length of the new arm to match the stock one.

10. Install the new control arm just as you removed the old one.

11. Tighten the jam nuts to make sure vibration doesn’t cause the turnbuckle adjuster to loosen and alter control-arm length.

12. Our favorite feature on the Control Freak arms is the turnbuckle. On some adjustable-arm designs, you have to install and then uninstall the threaded end of the arm to alter arm length. Not here—just loosen the jam nuts and turn the turnbuckle.