The 1984 Predator is Home...after quite an adventure.

[BevoBo50]

As some of you know I recently purchased a 1984 Hertz edition GT 302 H Predator Cobra. This is one of 125 1984 Predators produced and I am working on finding out how many Hertz cars were made. It has been verified by the owner of the predator registry by its VIN and Solomon ID tag to be a real predator and the only one he has heard of so far that was ordered with non a/c.:D He talks to Tom Solomon once in a while and is going to find out as much as he can about my car for me. It is in really nice shape with all the original predator parts there and in good shape(Hood pins, shelby hood scoop, shelby wheels, spinners, cobra emblems, gt302 badges, rollbar, Solomon ID tag, walnut shift knob, ect). The previous owner put new paint on it, new decals, detailed engine bay, refinished wheels, new tires, ect. Well I got the car home a few weeks ago and haven’t had time to tell the saga of getting this car back to Texas from North Carolina. Here is the tale.

Chris Lott (02Z06 on the board) and scheduled flights out to NC to pick the car up and the night before we leave our flights get cancelled by Delta. No big deal though we got put onto flight that arrived a couple hours later. Once we arrive I am pretty pumped and as soon as we see it I am in love:hsdance:. This car is such a cool piece of history and I am so excited to own it. The car looks pretty damn good with only a few small things I need to fix only because I am nit picky. We do all the paperwork and check out the owners collection which includes a 93 cobra prototype, a 93 cobra, 50k mile 86 SVO, and a mint four eyed ssp (don’t remember the year but Chris does.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip02.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip03.jpg

The predator takes some time to warm up and has a hard time around idle but drives great other than that. We start on the journey through the mountains and what a ride. It was so beautiful and fun cruising though those roads in such a cool piece of history. With the windows rolled down and the 302 rumbling it was somewhat surreal.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip05.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip07.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip12.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip13.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip14.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip17.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip21.jpg

We got 3 or so hours down the road and Chris heard a faint whining noise. We listened closer and it sounded like the trans so we pulled over at a weird creepy park in the middle of nowhere around dusk and saw that the rear shaft on the trans was leaking fluid. With no way to add more fluid we thought we would try to make it to a town. Once on the road again the noise got worse and 5th gear started to grind :omg: so we exited as soon as we could and pulled into a gas station. We decided to have the car towed to a motel in Knoxville so we could get some rest and figure things out. We had been up since 4:30am and got to sleep around 3:00am that morning.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip22.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip25.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip27.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip29.jpg

Once we woke up I called around and found a guy who seemed real honest and willing to help. So I had the car towed to his trans shop and he took it apart.(The picture of me going backwards is on a flatbed tow truck lol) Of course he says everything is shot and he needs to order a rebuilt trans from Florida and tries to rack up a $3000 bill and keep me there for 3 days:jerkoff::bs::jerkoff:. I told him to just put the trans in a box in the back of the car and I will take care of it myself. He turned out to be a typical sleazebag trying to take advantage of an out of towner and charged me $400 for taking the trans apart. Oh this is Transmission World in Knoxville, TN for anyone who wants to stay far far away from this slick talker. I then rented a Budget truck and trailer and towed the car back to Austin. I wanted home so bad lol. I am so happy I had Chris there with me to help with everything and do a lot of the truck driving (he is a driving machine) lol. We kept our cool the whole time and dealt with problems the best we could.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predtrip30.jpg

Anyways the car is home safe in my garage and is awaiting either the original trans being rebuilt or nice used one to be put in. All in all I am only in the car a couple hundred dollars more than it would have cost me to have it shipped and I have a crazy story to tell about my predator. Chris and I have driven a lot of cars all over the place and finally had something go wrong. I am not upset with the previous owner since he had told me the car hadn’t been driven much in a while before I bought it. After I talked to him he even sent me a decent amount of money to cover some of the costs. Overall I just call this a learning experience and know that from now on I will ship the car home where I can work on it myself.

As soon as I get a trans in the car I will take more pics and post more about it. I am still very happy I bought the car and it means a little more to me now after having to fight to get it home. Anything worth having is worth working hard for. :tu:

[Dean_T]

That's a nice looking car. I didn't know it looked so good! Cool story and glad you made it back!

Dean T

[93-331-29PSI]

Definitely a cool story for a cool car. Can't wait to see it repaired and back on the road.

[Ken86stang]

Nice car.. Looks like you had fun! Sorry to hear about the tranny..

[Muscleford]

I didn't know there was a Hertz version of that car. There isn't much known about the Predator versions. I am anxious to learn more about the Predator and the Hertz version.

Very nice looking car. The seller was a real stand up guy to send you some money to cover some of your surprise costs.

Awesome.

[MrsCapriGT]

What a great story. Sorry to hear about the shmuck in TN. But glad to know y'all got home safe. :D Can't wait to hear more about the car!

[mb84gt]

Wow, that car is clean! Glad you got her home okay, minus the tranny.

That is cool that the seller threw you some money back. Can't wait to see some more pics.

[rafiki47]

Man that car is Awesome! Dude, i'm sure it was a pain at the time but you will remember this forever. Great story

[85vert]

That is a beautiful car. Congrats and good luck getting the tranny straightened out.

[peicaprilover]

yeah that's a cool story, at least you kept your cool and didn't let it get you down. and you are totally correct, Anything worth having is worth working hard for. that's exactly how i feel picking up my car from the garage today and legally able to drive it home after building it for almost 3 years.
edit* i forgot to mention, damn that is a sweeeet car. i'd never sell it, and i don't imagine you will either, have fun with it.

[anthonydalrymple]

Wow.... I never knew there was such a thing as a Hertz Predator.... Neat piece of history for sure and really neat one of a kind piece of history. Enjoy!

[R825OH]

Great story ,goes along well with the piece of history you just bought. Beautiful car never saw one before

[capriman86]

Got to go back and read the story when I get a min later....

But awesome pics!

I am so glad I posted that up and you got it!
SAWEET!

[evlgt85]

I just made possibly lewd noises at your car. That thing is dead sexy.

[AT6svo]

Congrats! That beast sure looks well taken care of. I love buying cars "away" from home and driving them back. Its something you'll always remember, its part of the adventure!

[HEMI]

Neat car. Glad it made it home with all of its pieces. :)

[Fearmont]

Fergalicious

[fordguy]

wow, thats NICE! i know absolutely zero about the predators, was the roll bar an add on by the po?

[Fearmont]

And with a moniker like Predator it needs to be putting about 500hp to the rear wheels. Nice pics also.


Phillip

[KAILUAZ]

Yeah I've never heard of them either,,, learn something new everyday! Sweet car and story.

[gmars302]

Sorry to hear you had trouble but congrats on a cool ride!

[grabbergreen84]

Nice car! Great story, and great pics! That sucks about the tranny though, why couldn't that have happened on your street?!! You should document the rebuild...

[eric5oh]

Glad everyone (car included) is home safe and sound. Similar thing happened to me when I flew down to Florida to drive back my ASC McLaren. Alternator died in the middle of Georgia miles from anywhere. "Squeal like a pig, boy" ran through my mind when the tow truck driver came to get me.

[Fearmont]

I bought an 88 coupe on Ebay, about 5 hours away. Picked it up and drove it back, no problems. Was on my way to work the next morning and a mile from the house the timing belt broke. Luckily my BIL is a Ford tech, so he came out and put me a belt on, eyeballed the timing enough for me to get it home.

Phillip

[BevoBo50]

Thanks for the responses guys. It sure was an experience getting home but I am sure there are people out there that have had a rougher time getting cars back. Here is some info from the owner of the predator registry for those of you who want to know about the predators. It explains what the cars were, who Tom Solomon was and what was stock on them.

"WARNING!!! Beware of the "Predator Cobra"!
Rarely seen, but constantly on the prowl, this Cobra is well Equipped.

Tom Solomon was heavily involved with Shelby Mustangs and Cobras, so in 1983 he
designed and developed a Shelby Equipped Cobra Mustang based on the 1983 fox chassis.

He showed the model to Ford and they loved it. Solomon wanted to call the car
"The Cobra" but Ford would not agree because it owned the Cobra name.
So Solomon officially named the car "The Predator Mustang", and Ford gave him the
O.K. to produce the cars and sell them through selected dealers through out the country.

The Predator was made from 1983-1986. There were two factory locations; Dallas, Texas
and Topeka, Kansas. The premier of the Predator was in 1983. Ford was so impressed
by it that sources say that it inspired the design of the 1984 anniversary mustang.
There were only 8 cars produced in 1983. Five of them were white hatch-backs
with 1965 Shelby stripes, which read, "G.T. 350", 2 read "G.T. 302", and 1 read "G.T. 302H."
Each car was equipped with a Cobra engine dress up kit with its unique small oval
Cobra air cleaner, a Monte Carlo bar, a four point roll cage, a walnut shifter knob, 14 x 6.5
aluminum Shelby 8 spoke wheels with 3 bar knock off spinners, SVO competition
suspension, functional hood scoop, competition hood pins & cables and 3:27 axle ratios.
There are two aluminum G.T. 350 or G.T. 302 badges on each vehicle; one is located
at the rear of the vehicle on the hatch, off set to the right. All of these cars were
assembled in Dallas, Texas.

The 1984 Predators are equipped the same as the 83 models except for the following
modifications, a 1965 Shelby Mustang hood scoop was installed and made functional.
All the stripes and aluminum badgers were modified to say, "G.T. 302." Some cars had
Kamei ground effects. This was the premier of the ultra rare Predator Convertible & "R or
Race Models." The R Model could be ordered with any engine modifications,
a fiber glass hood and with one of two axle ratios; 3:73 or 4:10.
Two types of Predators were offered this year and they were: a standard Predator,
which had the word, "Predator" on the valve covers, steering wheel, spinners and
on the grill, and the other is a "Predator Cobra" or a Predator with the
Cobra package, which had the word "Cobra" on the valve cover, the air cleaner and
on the fenders under the Cobra snake. The R-Model came in both types. The color choice
was the same as the Mustang G.T. There were approximately 125-130 cars built in 1984.

The 1985 models has the same equipment as the 84 models, but a new wheel was added to
remind one of the magnum 500 wheel. It was a 4 spoke Enki Wheel. The R-Models were
continued and came standard with a fiber glass hood, under drive pulleys, LeMans stripes,
140 MPH speedometer, a side stripe that said "G.T. 302 R" and 3:73 or 4:10 axle ratios.
Other SVO or Motor-Sport parts could be ordered with the car such as Cam,
harness seat belts, etc., which was installed only after the car was titled. Some dealers
offered an American Racing wheel and a BBS type wheel, also a Walnut 3 spoke steering
wheel was a Dealer option. There were 135-140 1985 models built.

There were no R models in 1986. Some cars have no LeMans stripes and some did, but
they all have side stripes. A few of them have stripes like a 67 G.T. 500 "Super Snake".
There were only 17-23 cars built that year by Solomon America. All of the cars built from
1983-86 have a Solomon America Modification I.D. plate, which is located on the inner
fender on the driver’s side under the hood. These tags are very similar to the Shelby
Mustang tags and are often used to distinguish a real Predator from a fake one.

So as one can see, this car could be obtained as radical as the buyer wanted it. It was,
and still is highly sought after. The Predator was the first Shelby-equipped Mustang based
on the fox chassis and has been followed by many others trying to keep the
Shelby Legend alive!!!

This car really has the air of a Shelby Mustang, and was created in memory of the Shelby.
From 83-86, this was the most lethal late model Mustang that one could buy, and was
copied by some. So, we feel that it was only just, for this car to keep the Legend and
tradition alive, even though it does not carry the Shelby name because it was definitely
inspired by the Shelby Mustang!" - Orlando Hayward

[BevoBo50]

Here are a few pics I took today of it safe and sound in my garage.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predhome06.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predhome05.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predhome12.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g270/BevoBo50/predhome19.jpg

[R825OH]

That car really looks good w/ the bra off, I even kinda like the hood pins

[Anlushac11]

Congrats!!!

Very nice car and a nice bit of history. Had heard of Predators but didnt know very much about them.

[ujslost]

Never heard of one of these. But its really cool to see. I like. Great story too. Will be a good one to tell the grandkids years from now.

[grabbergreen84]

What's up with the '67 Firebird? I kind of like those...

[dburdyshaw]

Totally loving the wheels!!!

Happy for you!!!

[Tar 71]

Interesting trip to get the car, glad you all made it back home safely. Cool pics and awesome car. I think I've only seen one Predator in person and it was several years ago. I had no idea there was a Hertz edition.

[white1983GT]

cool story awesome car.....didn't these cars have numerous performance options? If so what does this car have, just curious.

[Kevins89notch5.0]

Looks nice man. Not to get off subject, but any info on the 93 cobra prototype?

[flyin5-o]

[QUOTE=dburdyshaw;519776]Totally loving the wheels!!!QUOTE]

^+1!!!!

I wish I could get a set of those in 16 x 8!

nice car!

[Dean_T]

That's not a '67 Camaro? I thought the '67 Firebirds had the "gills" in the rear quarter panels.

Really nice Predator. I can't believe those cars aren't more well known, they look so GOOD!

Dean T

[BevoBo50]

The car next to the predator is a 1967 327 Camaro. However I am selling it...the Predator deserves more room in the garage :D

[Jay Little]

EXCELLENT! I'v never heard or seen one of those before.

On another note, I vote that you buy a tranny in order to drive the car, but at some point in the future, rebuild the tranny that came in the car.

[BevoBo50]

I think that is my plan right now but I may work with a good friend of mine who is a mechanic to rebuild the original trans but I am having a hard time finding a full rebuild kit that has gears with it because some of the gears in the trans overheated and fried. Any suggestions?

[Jay Little]

I'd try D&D Perfomance in Wixom, MI. 248-926-6220 is the number I have for them. Also try Hanlon Motorsports in Elverson, PA. (610-469-2695)

I have had good experiences from both shops. I can't remember the name of the lady at Hanlon, but she sure seemed to know what she was talking about. I bought a rebuild manual from D&D and rebuilt my own T5. The first T5 I ever took apart went something like this.

Tear-down and inspection on Saturday.
Order parts on Monday.
Receive new parts on Thursday.
Put together on Saturday.

I hope my contact info is correct, you can usually find their Ad's in the Mustang mags. Good luck!

[grabbergreen84]

Or just getcha another tranny from the same year, and use its guts in the rebuild.
I thought it was a 'bird, because of the wheel openings. I'm a Ford guy pretty much, but I wouldn't kick some early gm muscle out of my driveway...

[flyintiger]

I wish the red GT302's looked that good. Yours is so much cleaner appearing without the boy-racer stripes. Can't wait to see it on the show circuit in the years to come.

[795.0pacecar]

Very nice car, great find.


As for the transmission shop guy, did you expect him to pull it out and inspect it for free? Any other shop would have charged you between $300-$600 to do that. He did try to rape you on the new transmission though. At my shop you would have been good to go with a rebuilt trans for about $800-$900.

[Fearmont]

Very nice car, great find.


As for the transmission shop guy, did you expect him to pull it out and inspect it for free? Any other shop would have charged you between $300-$600 to do that. He did try to rape you on the new transmission though. At my shop you would have been good to go with a rebuilt trans for about $800-$900.


Well I have a friend who owns his own shop and he ain't cheap, but I will give him this, whenever an out of towner is towed in he cuts them a big break. Bad enough to break down out of town. It's all about what you're made of.

Phillip

[Mumfts85gt]

Well I have a friend who owns his own shop and he ain't cheap, but I will give him this, whenever an out of towner is towed in he cuts them a big break. Bad enough to break down out of town. It's all about what you're made of.

Phillip

Your friend is to be commended. It's good to know there are people like that out there.

Rob.

[slow84lx]

Bevo, that is one nice looking car you have there. Looks to be taken care of very well. Good score. The trip will be a fond memory forever. Congratulations.


P.S. I'd love to meet up sometime and lay eyes on it.

[895.0]

man oh man that car is nice

[johnjohn]

Thanks for the responses guys. It sure was an experience getting home but I am sure there are people out there that have had a rougher time getting cars back. Here is some info from the owner of the predator registry for those of you who want to know about the predators. It explains what the cars were, who Tom Solomon was and what was stock on them.

....edit....

The 1985 models has the same equipment as the 84 models, but a new wheel was added to
remind one of the magnum 500 wheel. It was a 4 spoke Enki Wheel. The R-Models were
continued and came standard with a fiber glass hood, under drive pulleys, LeMans stripes,
140 MPH speedometer, a side stripe that said "G.T. 302 R" and 3:73 or 4:10 axle ratios.
Other SVO or Motor-Sport parts could be ordered with the car such as Cam,
harness seat belts, etc., which was installed only after the car was titled. Some dealers
offered an American Racing wheel and a BBS type wheel, also a Walnut 3 spoke steering
wheel was a Dealer option. There were 135-140 1985 models built.

There were no R models in 1986. Some cars have no LeMans stripes and some did, but
they all have side stripes. A few of them have stripes like a 67 G.T. 500 "Super Snake".
There were only 17-23 cars built that year by Solomon America. All of the cars built from
1983-86 have a Solomon America Modification I.D. plate, which is located on the inner
fender on the driver’s side under the hood. These tags are very similar to the Shelby
Mustang tags and are often used to distinguish a real Predator from a fake one.

So as one can see, this car could be obtained as radical as the buyer wanted it. It was,
and still is highly sought after. The Predator was the first Shelby-equipped Mustang based
on the fox chassis and has been followed by many others trying to keep the
Shelby Legend alive!!!

This car really has the air of a Shelby Mustang, and was created in memory of the Shelby.
From 83-86, this was the most lethal late model Mustang that one could buy, and was
copied by some. So, we feel that it was only just, for this car to keep the Legend and
tradition alive, even though it does not carry the Shelby name because it was definitely
inspired by the Shelby Mustang!" - Orlando Hayward


I have an unusual canadian model 86 mustang GT Cobra convertible with GTR on the buck tag. the GT registry can't decode it for me. I think i have a very special car. It's 9L white, with GQ interior and Black roof.

is the "R-Model" on the buck tag? could i have bought a rental car?

what can you tell me?

Thanks,

John

[86GT2go]

Thanks for sharing the pics and story with us. Sorry to hear of the trans issues and the slimebag that tried to 'fix' it for you, but the pics of your ride look great and looked like lots of fun while she was roadworthy!

[v8only]

astroperformance.com sells all the internal t5 parts you need. rebuild kits too...it's easy, do it yourself.


EDIT: You've got a non WC t5 don't you??

I've got a non wc t5 sitting in my garage. It's 100% complete, minus the input shaft. All I want is the case, and etc. Pm me, and I'll send all the internals to you VERY cheap.

[Ken P]

Very nice car and congrats. I've only seen one other Predator in person at a MCA show several years ago.

We need to talk about the Hertz history on yours as I have an 85 SVO Hertz. There were both Dallas Hertz SVOs and Houston Hertz SVOs. Mine is a Houston car.

[85Coupe50]

Make sure to have that transmission rebuilt as it may have the VIN on the leading edge of the case where it bolts to the bell housing. Some cars like the SSP's I know for sure got this treatment in 87+ I need to check my 86 to see if it was stamped too.

Nice lookng car!