Those re-upholstered Mach I seats never looked so good. John had the seats covered in black and antique Mahogany coloration.
Dakota Digital is responsible for the cool digital and analog gauge dashboard that emits the red glow read out.
Just try and find a New Old Stock dual headlight grille for your Torino. This original look works well with the cool custom.
Taking it to the Streets
Transferring the power rearward is a Lentech AOD 4-speed trans rated at 1,500 hp and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. It has a 2,800 rpm stall converter, making it quite pleasant on the street. The 9-inch Ford Eaton TruTrac rear is fitted with 3.50:1 gears and Moser axles. The Torino rolls on Budnik Spark wheels, 18x9.5 with 4.75-inch back spacing at all four corners, wrapped in Nitto 555 Extreme tires.
Cosmetic Treatments The paint and bodywork was accomplished at Evers Collision Works in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. During their full rotisserie restoration, the bottom of the car was painted NASCAR gray, while the frame, suspension parts, and rear housing were either painted or powder coated black for contrast. Body mods to the vintage Fastback began with a thorough dechroming, the stainless steel trim around the windows and the drip rail moldings were powder-coated Ford Tuxedo Black to slightly contrast the body color. The front and rear bumpers are fiberglass from Auto Krafters and were massaged to fit tightly to the body. A NOS Cobra grille, complete with quad headlights and single chrome bar, replaces the original. Terry Delong created the tall Boss 429-style hood scoop, generating an aggressive look, as well as providing a functional blast of ram air. BASF Gloss Black followed by multiple coats of clear cover the entire car, with satin black inserts on the hood and rear panel, again providing some contrast. The only graphic on the car is the airbrushed skull wearing a cowboy hat 112 Power & Performance News / Vol. 7, No. 3
Hidden at the forward edge of the trunk are the twin batteries and other key electronics. When the cover door is slid in place, it makes for a very clean appearance.
and holding a full house, illustrated by Gary Morgan. It was John’s wife, Linda, who named the car “All In” finding the skull T-shirt graphic while visiting Las Vegas. That graphic established a uniform theme for the Torino.
Comfort features Keeping passengers comfortable inside was the task of Shawn Krist from Krist Kustoms in Fort Wayne. John had worked with Shawn nearly a dozen times through the years, so assigning him this duty was a natural, telling Krist, “Make it look stock but make it look cool.” Krist chose bucket seats from a 1969 Mach I and retained the factory rear seat, covering both in a combination of black and antique Mahogany leather. A highlight of the in-