Todd Decoteau’s 1986 Mustang LX Coupe

Location: Aurora, Colorado

Use: Weekend Warrior

Build Type: Restomod

The Backstory

Some cars are just cars. Others are family heirlooms, lifelines that carry the stories of generations. For Todd Decoteau, this 1986 Mustang LX coupe is both. His grandmother bought it brand new in California. Years later, it followed the family across the country to Massachusetts, where rust and age tried to claim it. By the time Todd got his hands on it, the driver’s door had literally fallen off.

That could have been the end of the story — but instead, it was just the start.

The Build

Todd dove into a full restoration, handling every part of the project himself. What began as bodywork evolved into a full-blown restomod that blended Foxbody bones with New Edge DNA.

• Engine: 4.6L PI 2-valve
• Transmission: 4R70W automatic
• Rear End: 1996 Cobra unit with 3.83 gears
• Suspension: QA1 K-member, Viking coilovers, BMR control arms, caster/camber plates, Maximum Motorsports panhard bar
• Brakes: Power Stop drilled/slotted with upgraded calipers
• Exhaust: Custom tailpipes with SR mufflers
• Fuel System: AN lines front-to-back, upgraded injectors
• Electronics: Bama tuned and dyno’d at Finish Line Tuning, Denver, CO

The Swap

Instead of hunting aftermarket parts piece by piece, Todd went bold — he tore down his 2000 Mustang GT and transplanted the heart, soul, and interior into his Fox. The dash was cut and reshaped to fit. Door panels were modified. Even ABS, traction control, cruise control, and air conditioning made the leap — rare to see in a Fox restomod.

• Interior: 2000 Mustang GT dash, door panels, and center console
• Seats & Gauges: Stock 2000 GT equipment
• Audio: CarPlay head unit with stock speakers

Paint & Body

Gone is the original powder blue, replaced with a 3M Satin Vampire Red wrap laid down by Todd himself. Every emblem hole was filled and smoothed for a clean, de-badged look. The headlights were restored, and the body was pulled straight after years of rot and neglect.

The Grind

Todd credits no one but himself for the labor — every weld, every panel, every detail came from his own hands. The hardest part? Getting those 2000 GT door panels to play nice with Fox doors.

His favorite memory? The day he stood back after the mock-up, realizing everything lined up.

“It took me 15 years to build a car — but I wasn’t quitting on this one.”

The Why

It took 15 years to bring this Mustang back. Todd built it for the memories: his grandmother behind the wheel, the family piled inside, and the chance to breathe new life into a car that should have been scrap.

“I’m not into bought cars winning awards,” Todd says. “I like to build things. That’s what car culture is about to me — making it possible for the next generation to enjoy these cars.”

Related: THE FOX-BODY BOOM

What’s Next

Future upgrades are already on his mind:

• Supercharger
• Professionally finished interior
• Fine-tuning what’s already in place

And if the budget was unlimited? A full Coyote swap, six-speed manual, IRS setup, and a deep, polished red paint job.

Related resource: Engine Swap Checklist

Inspirations & Advice

Todd’s father, a body man from the ’60s and ’70s, worked on Corvettes and custom paint jobs — and passed that passion on. His advice to anyone staring down their own project:

“Don’t give up. Make a plan. Do it in stages. Find a goal and work toward it.”

Final Word

This isn’t a car built for trophies — it’s a car built from memories, grit, and stubborn determination. After 15 years of cutting, welding, and wrenching, Todd’s Mustang is proof that family ties and perseverance can bring even the rustiest dreams back to life.