Joe Grippo's 1970 Mustang

[CDMBill]

Funny, I was writing while you were posting. Now we know when you hit the track next.

Years ago I got dinged for having the fuel pressure isolator in almost that exact location. No issues at your tracks?

I've been looking at adding the strut tower to cage braces. Thanks for posting up your first class job.

[CDMBill]

Joe, this is such great stuff! Nice roll cage update, rocker bars and sub frame connectors. When will you take it out again?

Maple Grove is such a great track. I went there for Frank Hawley's school last August and I learned about the staging turn, hug the wall baby.

Would you be willing to share a bit more about your suspension and the other key parts of the combination?

[Joe Grippo]

As you can see the original color of my car was Calypso Coral (orange).

Now I just have to mask off and paint everything, clean up some wiring and plumbing for better routing, fit and trim up the new rug and fit and trim my dash cap. Then put it the interior back together.

Our first race of the season is 4/21...


Now with video!

[Joe Grippo]

The down bars from the existing main hoop to the dash bar and the connection bar across the windshield...


3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_111 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_113 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_112 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

And under the hood, the bars through the firewall to the shock towers...


3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_095 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_007 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_009 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

Looking up from under the dash...


3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_090 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

New pipe is behind shock tower...


3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_099 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_101 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

[Joe Grippo]

Swing-Out side bars with Alston Spring loaded latches and the window net...


3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_018 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_017 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_019 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_042 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

[Joe Grippo]

Dash Bar is welded to the side firewall supports and off that on each side are bars running through the firewall attached to the rear of the shock towers, backing up the previously installed front down bars.


3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_059 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_060 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

The side down bars that form the sides of the halo are tight to the windshield posts and attach to the top of the dash bar.


3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_026 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

Then another upright goes from the dash bar to the floor and picks up the rocker bar and side swing-out...


3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_063 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_075 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

Rocker Bars are laid low through the seat riser...


3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_040 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_043 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

...and meets up with the existing main hoop in the back...


3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_037 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

[Joe Grippo]

Well I finally went ahead and converted my 8 pt roll bar to full roll cage. Also added a dash bar, rocker bars, side swing-out bars and through the firewall to the back of the shock tower bars. So is it a 10 or 12 pt now...whatever...


3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_110 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_109 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

Excuse the mess I haven't had a time to clean it up or do any painting yet...

3-12_ROLL CAGE UPDATE_114 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

[A/Fuel]

Yeah, it's one of those tracks that make you feel like Austin Powers in a hall way with a golf cart.

[Joe Grippo]

Yeah, they are up on the hill just about every weekend...

That is a tight turn, When I run the left lane I usually pull in and then back up to get squared in the box. The axles and spool don't like it either..

Bamfster - It is very scenic especially this time of year when the trees are changing...

[A/Fuel]

That is a cool track, except for getting a 300" dragster to make the turn from the stagine lanes to the track. I wonder if those amish people still have their ladders out for a race like this too?
Your mustang looks like a blast to drive!

[Bamfster]

I love your car .... great vids too.

The track looks pretty cool, almost like a sunday scenic drive back to the pits.

[Joe Grippo]

Yup. On the the only time run I went a .55 so I dialed down to a .52. I lifted right at the lights killing almost 2 mph and still went a .48, had him covered on the tree too....I usually pick up .03 or .04 on the second run but didn't expect that...bummer. It was a good day though $90 for a chance at 10K, 375 cars showed up for first round! Not a dragster in sight...

[Scott Liggett]

What a great vue from the driver's seat. First, the sky; then getting cozy with the left lane; then the trees all starting to change colors.

Looks like you broke out in this round?

[Joe Grippo]

In the car...

Out of the car...

And a still photo...

[Joe Grippo]

This thread makes me want Chips though

Unfortunatley, no relation. Good chips though, I worked in our Cinncinati office for few weeks a few years ago and I brought some home with me.

that has to be the nicest facility I have ever seen drag racing wise, guess i'll hafta put that on the list of places to visit

Hey Wickam, if you every find yourself up here you've got a place to crash. I am 20 minutes from the Grove!

Just read your whole thread . Nice to see that dreams do come true ! .

Thanks...26 years of ownership and it still puts a smile on face.