Lorne34 Shelby GT350 Build: MESTENO

[Lorne34]

Purchased a 8 year 48k Premium Warranty and Maintenance Plan from Flood Ford.
https://www.floodfordesp.com/
My Full Coverage ends in August, so wanted some peace of mind to make sure the vehicle is covered for any major repairs. The Maintenance plan was a great deal as well and a no brainer when doing the math.... I am fortunate to have a really good Ford Dealership Service Dept in my region. They have done top quality work for me.
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[Lorne34]

Finally got her out of Hibernation last week after another very long winter...
Cleaner her up using Optimum No Rinse (ONR) rinse less wash. The car was just dusty after having a full detail prior to storing it. I originally had a cover on, but had to remote it in order to move the vehicle mid winter to install a Garage Heater. I have to say that the ONR product did a fantastic job. Very fast, easy and left a terrific shine with no after effects (spotting, cloudy streaks). Just a great way to do a maintenance wash instead of getting out the buckets, pressure washer, foamer, etc. Even used the remaining product to clean the wheels as they had just a small bit of brake dust from moving the car during the winter.
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[Vettel-ish]

Hydes rust stopper for those big ass rotors after wash

 

[Lorne34]

Hydes rust stopper for those big ass rotors after wash

Thanks Andy, will look into that!

 

[SmokinAces]

Hey @Lorne34 , your car is stellar. When looking for mine I knew it had to be Performance Blue. Yet very undecided on color of the stripes. While the dealership I was working with didn’t have any more allocations for the year, we’re talking September. They were in fact able to acquire one from another dealer. By the time they contacted me I only had 3 days to make up my mind. So went the safe rout and picked white stripes. Had I seen your car in this pic, it would have been a no brainer. Absolutely would have chosen black stripes. There will always be that bit of regret. Oh well, did get the Recaro’s.

 

[Lorne34]

Hey @Lorne34 , your car is stellar. When looking for mine I knew it had to be Performance Blue. Yet very undecided on color of the stripes. While the dealership I was working with didn’t have any more allocations for the year, we’re talking September. They were in fact able to acquire one from another dealer. By the time they contacted me I only had 3 days to make up my mind. So went the safe rout and picked white stripes. Had I seen your car in this pic, it would have been a no brainer. Absolutely would have chosen black stripes. There will always be that bit of regret. Oh well, did get the Recaro’s.

Hey Eddie,
Thanks for reaching out and for the kind comments! When I started looking for a 350 I was focused on Magnetic Gray, but was unable to find one in the right specs, etc. I had owned two blue Mustangs previously and was pretty determined not to go down that route. But then I saw a PB Raptor with black accents at my local Ford dealership which peaked my interest in the color. It was sitting right next to a Mustang GT in Velocity Blue. I think Velocity is a great color, but wanted something more subdued. Color and Stripe combinations can be a really difficult decision and play into the overall feel you have for the car. I read an excellent post a few years ago where a guy broke down the physiological responses our brain has to different colors and color combinations... sounds nerdy but it really made a lot of sense.
I will tell you though that you have the base color (PB) so changing the stripes is very doable. I love the black stipes, but the defects are more visible than the white and my ocd tends to kick in every now and then. I am pretty sure that I will be painting these on down the road as they wear more. I think of them as PPF for now :-)
I have to say that the changing of the pinstripe accent to the gun metal gray was a great great decision by Ford, really ties everything all together.'
I almost made the decision to take the stripes off when I was preparing for a full paint correction and ceramic coating. I was debating whether to do PPF and have it over the stripes or take them off completely. I went to multiple vinyl shops and detailers and every single one told me to leave the stripes on... the term "bad ass" was used multiple times to describe the look. In the end I think the Shelby's look naked without them.
I watched a video by Matt from Obsessed Garage after he bought his magnetic Gray GT350. He removed the stripes due to not being able to fully buff/correct the stripes. I have to say his Magnetic Gray looked good after stripe removal, but it really took away from the Shelby "vibe". He's moved on now to chasing Porsche's which is more his style. He's one of those You Tubers who will not keep a car for long as he has to churn content....
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[Lorne34]

Went to a 3 day driving event in Ashland KY the end of April.
The event was put on my Steve Sprangler from Red Mirror Events. Great guy and a great bunch of people.
There were about 50 Mustangs total. Was able to drive on a lot of great roads in KY and WV; also held several car show events with local car clubs... It was a 10 hour drive, but so worth it. Car was extremely dirty when I got back home, but I am really enjoying using this car to its fullest potential.

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[SmokinAces]

Hey @Lorne34. Would be interested in that post you read about color combinations. Love articles about the mind. Funny you should mention Magnetic Grey, that was the color of the PP2 I traded in. It was a beautiful deep color. While I did like it, I’m definitely a blue person when and if a color exists that I’ve got to have. Had I gone the route of black stripes then without a doubt would have elected the black roof. It’s funny, your comments about Matt. While he took such great care of his GT350, it just didn’t seem like he was in love with the car. It just seemed like a project to him. Enjoyed the content on his videos and learned a lot.

 

[Lorne34]

Hey @Lorne34. Would be interested in that post you read about color combinations. Love articles about the mind. Funny you should mention Magnetic Grey, that was the color of the PP2 I traded in. It was a beautiful deep color. While I did like it, I’m definitely a blue person when and if a color exists that I’ve got to have. Had I gone the route of black stripes then without a doubt would have elected the black roof. It’s funny, your comments about Matt. While he took such great care of his GT350, it just didn’t seem like he was in love with the car. It just seemed like a project to him. Enjoyed the content on his videos and learned a lot.

Thanks Eddie, I will see if I can dig up that article.
I have mixed emotions when it comes to Matt and other You Tuber's
I applaud Matt for his willingness to work on his condition (OCD) and overcome his struggles, but at the same time he comes off arrogant and whiney at various times. He's quite an interesting guy; many personalities all rolled into one.
At times you think he's really invested in his vehicles, but then he turns them just like all the other you tubers who are grasping for new content.
Magnetic can look quite bland at times in certain light especially if it's dirty, but so can many other colors.
I remember the first time seeing the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds" with the gray eleanor GT500 and just loved the color. Then the Promo Video came out for the GT350 where it's driving through the parking garage and it's the Magnetic with Black Stripes.... love at first site..

 

[Lorne34]

It's been a while since I last posted on here. I had the rear decklid badge loosen and eventually come off altogether. I took it to my local dealership where it was inspected and replaced under warranty. I considered just purchasing a carbon fiber deck lid plate to replace it, but the cost had almost tripled in a couple of years.
After the install I had PPF and Ceramic applied to deter the risk of scratches that plagued the original panel.
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[Lorne34]

Attended a Road America Track day in June. Lots of instruction, classes and lead/follow out on the track; beginning to learn/memorize the track and each turns braking, turn in, apex, and track out position.
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[TonyNJ]

It's been a while since I last posted on here. I had the rear decklid badge loosen and eventually come off altogether. I took it to my local dealership where it was inspected and replaced under warranty. I considered just purchasing a carbon fiber deck lid plate to replace it, but the cost had almost tripled in a couple of years.
After the install I had PPF and Ceramic applied to deter the risk of scratches that plagued the original panel.
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Did it just loosen and start to say? Or was it tampered with? Nice that it was repaired under warranty.

 

[Lorne34]

Did it just loosen and start to say? Or was it tampered with? Nice that it was repaired under warranty.

I don't think mine was tampered with...I could tell that it was loosening up. Very poor design. Small plastic pins and some type of rubberized or foam backing on the back side of the badge itself. No 3m tape, no adhesive. The adhesive you see on the pic was my attempt to reattach it after if had fallen off. I recently went to a track day at Road America and my instructor has a 2017 350 with the same issue. Heard of others on facebook Forums as well. If this doesn't last I may just go to a blank deck plate, but I do love the look of the rear badging.

 

[Lorne34]

Some Pictures from my track day with Northwoods Shelby Club in June. Attending this event 3 days after the Road America sponsored track day instruction. The extra seat time really helped. ..

 

[Lorne34]

Made a trip to the Ford Dealership to have the AC Compressor replaced under warranty. Everything went smoothly and was completed on time. Grateful to have a good dealership service dept to rely on.
When checking the car in I found myself looking back and staring at her.. thinking man that car looks nice.. then I realized oh, that's my car.... lol... Never seem to get tired of looking at it....
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