To GT, Or Not To GT

My Mustang might be a GT model but I'm not absolutely sure about that. Some of the details are there but some not. I found a web page called kcode that gives a checklist to go through. So I went to work.

1. Engine

The engine must be A or K-code. Check

2. The dual exhaust must have special reinforcements under the seat

I crawled under the car and removed the back seat but could not find the reinforcements.

3. Exhaust pipes exit through the rear valance

This is the biggest problem with my car. The dual exhaust exits below the valance and the bumper has the lower guards. It seems that the rear valance could have replaced at some point during the cars history. Perhaps the correct valance was not available in Finland at that time? The exhaust system has also been replaced at some time.

4. Special handling package

The GT handling package includes a lot of changes to the chassis. Larger front sway bar (13/16 inch thick), stiffer springs front and back, better shock absorbers and quick ratio 16:1 steering box. The sway bar seemed correct and the steering box had the correct HCC-AX marking. Rear leaf springs also had the correct four leafs. I can't really verify the front coils and shocks.

5. Large single master brake cylinder

Brake cylinder and the proportional valve below it seemed to be correct.

6. Fog lights

Well, the fog lights are in the front grill, but when I removed the lamps, the retainer piece had a stamp "DRAKE" in it. Probably meaning Scott Drake Mustang parts. The lamp housing didn't have the original FOMOCO stamp. Also the circuit breaker should be on the wiper motor bracket. Mine is right next to the windshield washer fluid bag.

7. GT stripes and badges

My car seemed to have the correct badges and stripes in the fenders and quarter panel.

8. Standard Mustang badges deleted

Yep, front fenders had the GT badges.

9. Rear bumper guards removed

My car had the standard rear bumper and valance panel.

10. Fog light wiring goes through radiator support

There was two holes where the fog light wiring passed through the radiator support.

11. Special GT gas cap

The cap seemed to be correct but had a stamp "PC 106" inside instead of the correct "SM".

Conclusion

Well, unless the car is some special European GT model, I just don't think that my car is a real GT. So many details are off that it seems that someone has decided to build a GT clone. Oh well, all the extra options are such a nice bonus that I don't really mind.