Mike Buehler's Blue Mustang

This past weekend, we had the opportunity to head over to the local race track in Marion, Texas.
As we were walking through the pit area, we saw Mike Buehler who was sitting in his trailer, listening to the radio, waiting patiently for the qualifying runs to begin.

After asking if we could take a closer look at his car, he turned down the radio and walked out of his trailer so that he could answer our questions. Mike was even gracious enough to let us take photographs of him and his car, while explaining some of the finer details. I explained to him that I have a particular affinity for this car, since my first car was a 1985 Mustang LX. It had midnight blue paint, with the black molding and chrome trim around the windows just like Mike's! But, that's where the similarities end. He proudly told us that the 1986 Mustang coupe has a 302 bored out to a 306. Mike also stated that the engine was approximately 15 years old... which goes to show that properly maintained, an engine will perform for years! Mike also pointed out that the interior was stripped of anything and everything that wasn't needed for racing. Eliminating additional weight and most amenities, is the norm, so there was no passenger seat, rear seat, door panels or radio! Aside from the roll cage and racing seat, the only other items inside were the tachometer and a few other gauges necessary to monitor the performance of the car. Seeing Mike's Mustang on the track gave me a glimpse of the possibilities of what the '85 might have evolved into. If Mike's car is any indication of how it might have turned out, then I'm sure I'd be just as proud.