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Tree Spotting

Jim Gillis' '86 GT used to sit under a tree, but not anymore

Posted November 4 2009 08:56 AM by Michael Johnson 
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Fox Body Mustangs, Michael Johnson

When I attended UPR Products’ Ford Fest at New England Dragway a couple months ago I ran across Jim Gillis and his immaculate ’86 GT. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the immaculate paint. Then as I walked around the car it was surprisingly original. Check out its story after the jump…


Jim’s GT was originally owned by a law student who drove it daily back and forth to school. When he graduated and started making real money his life hit fast forward to marriage, kids, and a house. The GT was relegated to backstop duty under a tree, and that’s where it sat for 13 years. A friend of Jim’s bought the car from the lawyer to cut up and make into a drag car. However, Jim was able to help his friend sell a 10th Anniversary Cobra for profit, which enabled the friend to pick-up a car already prepped and ready for the drag strip. Jim was able to scoop up the GT for just $1,800. With its primer spots the GT earned the nickname “Spot.” The nickname came courtesy of New Hampshire Mustang Club President Rick Lacourse, who was called in to replace Spot’s starter cable, and add BBK short-tube headers, an off-road H-pipe, and a Flowmaster after-cat exhaust.
Jim drove Spot for a bit before sending it to Autopaint RI in Rhode Island for fresh paint. The paint was a little over budget, but Jim said it was worth every penny. With just 39,000 miles on it, the paint and the exhaust are Spot's only non-original aspects. Jim’s buddy Henry Martin helps keep the ’86 in show-winning shape, which might be a full-time job since Jim drives the ’86 as much as possible. Jim owns two other late-model Mustangs, a Lightning, and is Vice President of the New Hampshire Mustang Club. 

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