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From 1999 to 2004, Ford Motor Company produced the generation of Mustangs with what it described as New Edge styling. During that time period, we were given some of the coolest Mustangs the automotive world had seen, which included a wide variety of Cobras — most notably the legendary Terminator — along with the Bullitt, Mach 1, and some of the sleekest looking Saleens ever.
With that wide variety of top-notch cars, it has really left a nice catalog of parts that enthusiasts could mix and match to build unique New Edge ’Stangs. Kline Dalton of Spartanburg, South Carolina, did just that with his 1999 Ford Mustang GT. Taking the best of everything the New Edge generation had to offer and combining it into one awesome machine that’s easy on the eyes and just begs for camera shutters to snap.
(Photo Credit: Kline Dalton)
The end result of Kline’s vision is a Terminator-swapped, custom New Edge with just the right stance and a look that definitely sets it apart from the crowd.
The first thing on Kline’s modification list was a color change. His GT started life sprayed with red, but that did not fit vision for its look. From the get-go, Kline knew there was one color and one color only for the car, Sky/Tiffany Blue. Why? Simply put, for as long as he can remember that has been his favorite color.
(Photo Credit: Kline Dalton)
Kline admits that we he told his friends about the color, almost no one thought it would even look decent. Boy did he prove them wrong. The color is a fresh change from the normal hues we see on the regular, and it really accents the New Edge body lines as well. It is reminiscent of a lot of the teal greens found in the cars from the ’50s.
A color change alone was not enough to complete the look of this New Edge. “I knew that I wanted something unique but still clean, and fast,” Kline explained. “The car being a New Edge, the options for change are endless. I ended up taking my favorite body pieces from the ’99-’04 years, and built the car to my exact vision.”
I knew that I wanted something unique but still clean, and fast. The car being a New Edge, the options for change are endless. I ended up taking my favorite body pieces from the ’99-’04 years, and built the car to my exact vision. — Kline Dalton
(Photo Credit: Kline Dalton)
His striking New Edge now features a Kaenan cowl hood and a 1999-2001 Cobra bumper up front. The look continues down the side with a set of 2003-2004 Cobra side skirts and a set of Carbon Driven fiberglass side skirts. A Saleen S281 rear wing and a set of ’99-’01 Cobra rear taillights finish off the rear. The car currently sits on a set of black powder-coated Saleen wheels along, which are tied into the paint via black, Mach 1-inspired side stripes and a black accent stripe on the hood.
One of the cool things about this car is the attention to detail Kline Dalton has put into it. Check out the custom color matched center caps on the black Saleen wheels. (Photo Credit: Jeff Southard)
Once the exterior was complete, it was time to address the powertrain. Long gone is the Two-Valve 4.6-liter V8 and in its place is the legendary Terminator Four-Valve engine transplanted from an ’03-’04 Cobra. Built by Kennedy Performance in Lexington, Kentucky, the engine has a goal of one day pounding out over 1,000 horsepower with the correct supporting mods.
Kline took on the “do it once, do it right” attitude when building the engine, with future plans calling for a 1,000-horsepower street car, he did not want to have to build the engine twice so he threw the best parts available at it in hopes that it will handle four-digits in the future. (Photo Credit: Kline Dalton)
The last and maybe most important piece of Kline’s vision was the stance. The sinister, in-the-weeds look of his New Edge Mustang is accomplished thanks to the help of Air Ride Tech air bags accompanied by a set of Accuair Speed Management switches and dual Viar compressors. A set of aftermarket struts front and rear and Maximum Motorsports caster/camber plates help keep all four tires planted to the ground under acceleration and in the turns. A set of ’03-’04 Cobra brakes up front handle the stopping duties.
(Photo Credit: Jeff Southard)
Kline admits the interior is still a bit of a work in progress, in fact, at the time of writing, the interior is currently out of the car for upgrades. As of now, the car features a 2001 and up dash and ’03-’04 Cobra gauges and center console. A Pioneer head unit and Kicker speakers handle the tunes.
Stopping or going, Kline’s car should be an inspiration to us all that if you dream it, you can build it. Do not be afraid to go with something just a little different, mix and match some parts, and have fun with it. We live in an amazing time in the automotive world where every part you could ever think of is available at your door in days with just the click of the mouse. So go out, dream it and build it. If you are lucky, it will turn out as well as this unique New Edge did.
Kline Dalton’s 1999 Mustang GT evolved through several stages of modification over the five years he has owned the car. starting out in red, then it went to Tiffany Blue with white accents. From there it got its black out treatment you see today. What is the next step? Kline is currently pulling the air suspension off the car with plans of a more race-friendly set of coil springs in order to support the power from the upcoming blower swap. Be sure and follow Kline on Instagram @kline2012 for all the updates. (Photo Credit: Kline Dalton)
