Last week, in an unfortunate combination of careless driving (the other driver) and incliment weather, our Tech Editor Jim Langley found himself spinning out of control in this 1985 SVO Mustang. When the world stopped turning he was high-centered during rush hour on a muddy median at the crossroads of Northern California’s three largest freeways. Fortunately Langley was not seriously phyisically injured in the accident, though the same cannot be said for his emotional state. Along with a recent engine rebuild he had just the day prior to the accident finished up installing a new fender and hood. What was to eventually be introduced as another FM project car, became a total and complete loss in just a matter of seconds. As Langley was merging on to a freeway transition in a heavy downpour an SUV driver in the far right lane decided to make a four-lane dive to avoid missing his transition.Probably unbeknownst to the driver, in his stupidity he pulled a perfect Earnhardt maneuver and just clipped the rear bumper of the SVO, sending it and Langley out of control, into the barrier, and ricocheting off onto the median. The other driver did not stop, and to add insult to injury Jim waited over two ours for the tow truck driver to pull the car home.

“How I was able to not hit any other cars is a mystery. I was still working the steering wheel, clutch, brakes and shifter even as I came to a stop, high-centered in the mud and ivy with the pointed end of the traffic barrier buried in the nose of the car.”

Langley reports that the front end is severly tweaked. The radiator has been pushed back into the fan, and the front unibody is visibly shifted over. Study the picture closely and you’ll also see the rear wheel (driver side) folded in like landing gear. However all is not lost. The built-up motor and interior are all in good shape, and Langley has already purchased an ‘86 four banger coupe which will be be the recipient of the drivetrain. Look for the swap to be featured in an article next year.