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  1. #1

    Default 1982 GT Enduro DSO

    1982 GT Enduro DSO (M81 McLaren Mustang Dealer Special Order). This car was built by Fremont Ford in 1982 from the extremely rare M81 DSO kit. Based on an 82 GT. Basically a McLaren Mustang with a 5.0. It’s a work in progress. Recently gutted and reupholstered the interior. Stewart Warner Stage III gauges and roll bar came with the car, but not installed. Mechanical upgrades/swaps next.

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  2. #2
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    WOW, that's nice!
    '86 GT - weekend driver
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    '17 Mustang GT
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  3. #3

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    Always loved that Recaro pattern.

    The car looks great!
    83 TC "Clone"
    85 Marquis LTS
    86 LTD Wagon

  4. #4

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    Thanks guys.
    Here's another look at the interior... before and after.
    Recaro IS.N seats that came with it. Sourced the Recaro headrests from Thailand.
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  5. #5
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    That was a big difference. Looks a lot better.
    Kendal

  6. #6

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    Thanks Kendal. Appreciated.

  7. #7
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    So these count as part of the M81 production? How many were converted to Enduro?

    Ok, so I read the original post incorrectly. I assumed DSO ordered meant it was delivered as a M81 car then converted. I see now it was a kit delivered as the DSO. Never heard it called the before. I wonder if this has been done with other kits.
    Last edited by KevinK; 01-14-2023 at 04:01 PM.
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  8. #8

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    Not counted as one of the 10 McLarens built, but it was part of the short-lived M81 program.
    Here’s a breakdown I made for my @m81_foxbody IG page.
    If anyone has more production info or known locations of “lost” cars, please let me know as I’m always updating.
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    And a couple excerpts on DSOs from 1980 MotorTrend and AutoWeek articles on the m81 program.
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  9. #9

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    Love when source material for the period pops up. Wonder how these DSO pieces would look on the other foxcars they mentioned in the second picture. Widebody done right is never cheap, but damn if it isn't the coolest way to disguise wider tires at all four corners. The Recaro bucket seats and the woodgrain veneers in the interior are nice touches. Wishing you the best with the build, from one DSO/M81 fan to another!
    Last edited by Hearsesrock427; 02-02-2023 at 04:46 PM.

  10. #10

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    I know of a couple Capris that were fitted with the M81 kit, but that’s it. It’s funny seeing how they planned on producing 5000 kits for 1981. Best estimate is around 20.

  11. #11
    FEP Super Member Blainer's Avatar
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    Love seeing these cars reappear. Love the fact it will see car shows and the road again. I hope to find another 4 eyed car someday.

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  12. #12

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    -edit-

  13. #13

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    Finally in the shop.
    Although it looks amazing, many of the mechanicals are in poor shape.
    And what isn't in poor shape is the best that malaise-era engineering had to offer... which isn't great.
    I'm not one to ever just put anything back to stock.

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    -Wheels/tires to be sorted out, but I'm keeping the look of the current wheels. Just larger.
    (I reserve the right to change my mind about anything at any time, but 90% of the parts are already purchased.)

    And for anyone crying foul... If this were an M81 McLaren, I wouldn't touch it.
    But seeing as how it's a Dealer Special Order based on an '82 GT, I feel it's fine to take some liberties.
    The body is the only real unobtanium. The rest of the car has gone through a few transformations through the years already.

    1982 Mustang GT Enduro DSO at ER Performance in Southern California
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  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by LFOT View Post
    And for anyone crying foul... If this were an M81 McLaren, I wouldn't touch it.
    But seeing as how it's a Dealer Special Order based on an '82 GT, I feel it's fine to take some liberties.
    The body is the only real unobtanium. The rest of the car has gone through a few transformations through the years already.
    It's your car. Build the way that suits you. Should be fun when it's completed.

    The M81/Enduros are the best-looking Fox Mustangs, hands down.
    83 TC "Clone"
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  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck W View Post
    It's your car. Build the way that suits you. Should be fun when it's completed.

    The M81/Enduros are the best-looking Fox Mustangs, hands down.
    I agree with everything you just stated.

  16. #16
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    As Chuck stated it's your car. Build what makes you happy everything else be d#mned!

    Life's too short to drive a car you don't LOVE!

    Beautiful Car and Awesome work you have done to bring it back to its current condition. Best of luck with the rest of the build.
    ​Trey

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  17. #17

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    I can tell you that the known blue GT Enduro was not made from an M81. It was made from a 1980 Ghia.
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  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by FoxChassis View Post
    I can tell you that the known blue GT Enduro was not made from an M81. It was made from a 1980 Ghia.
    None of the M81 McLarens had VINs defining them as such.
    They were all hand assembled from base or Ghia hatchbacks, as all 10 were more prototypes than actual production cars.
    As for the blue GT Enduro, you can see Papaya Orange paint showing through under the blue in some photos.
    (Side note: The lone white M81 McLaren was also originally Papaya Orange, with similar orange spots showing through the white)
    I also corresponded with a source (to remain unnamed) who is an expert on the M81 McLarens.
    He saw the blue Enduro at Amelia Island and stated it was, to his eyes, one of the original 10 McLarens.

    Also something of note regarding the blue Enduro:
    At Amelia Island, due to the VIN and title I imagine, it was sold (as you also stated) as a 1980 model. But the Enduro GTs were built in 1982 as promotional cars with the new for '82 5.0 V8. What is assumed is that Ford took the unsold #2 McLaren, dropped the new V8 in it, gave it a paint job, and called it the Enduro in support of the Enduro IMSA race cars being campaigned.
    1982 Mustang M81 GT Enduro DSO

  19. #19

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    I have tags and documents for both race cars and 7 out of 10 of the 'production' cars, and none of them were built on a Ghia body. And so far, the production cars, not counting the "prototype" production car #1 (P0001), are all sequential VINs, although not sequential by serial number (production car number). I do not have the VINs for #2, #6, or #7
    #3, #5, #9, and race car #2 were all built on the same day -- August 7, 1980. Race car #1 was built in July 1980 and (prototype) #1 was built in November 1979. I do not have build dates for #4, #8, or #10.
    Last edited by FoxChassis; 04-03-2023 at 02:05 PM.
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  20. #20

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    Quote Originally Posted by FoxChassis View Post
    I have tags and documents for both race cars and 7 out of 10 of the 'production' cars, and none of them were built on a Ghia body. And so far, the production cars, not counting the "prototype" production car #1 (P0001), are all sequential VINs. I do not have the VINs for #2, #6, or #7.
    Do you have the VIN for the blue Enduro?
    Even on your site you have the #2 McLaren listed as possibly changed to an Enduro.
    The only thing I've seen that indicates the blue car to have a Ghia lineage is the interior door panel badge.

    Not arguing your points at all. I genuinely just want to know.
    1982 Mustang M81 GT Enduro DSO

  21. #21

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    Yes it is 0F05A273379.

    05 = Mustang Ghia 3-door sedan
    Last edited by FoxChassis; 04-03-2023 at 02:11 PM.
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  22. #22

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    Quote Originally Posted by FoxChassis View Post
    Yes it is 0F05A273379.

    05 = Mustang Ghia 3-door sedan
    That's great! Thank you.
    1982 Mustang M81 GT Enduro DSO

  23. #23

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    welcome
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    Wanted (Dead or Alive): VINs, door tags, buck tags, build sheets, window stickers, owner cards, transmission tags, axle tags

  24. #24
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    Here is the Marti Report on the blue enduro.
    Attached Images Attached Images  
    Kendal

  25. #25

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    So it was originally built with a non-turbo engine, unlike all of the (known) M81s that were built with a turbo engine.

    (Even though the M81s had an "A" engine code in the VIN, they had the turbo engine. In model year 1980 only, the turbo engine and non-turbo engine both had the same VIN code but the buck tag had "T" for the turbo engine.)
    Last edited by FoxChassis; 04-04-2023 at 04:15 AM.
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