Mach 1 Club

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Horse Sense: Bassani Xhaust got its start back in the day-1969-in the motorcycle industry. Today, Bassani Xhaust components can be found on a variety of performance vehicles, and the company is the original equipment manufacturer for the '00 Cobra R's X-pipe. If Bassani doesn't make an exhaust component for your Mustang, you probably don't need it.

Why are we surprised when we see a woman at the wheel of a performance car? It must be something in us from birth since this author's own 4-year-old son recently saw a woman at the wheel of a Roush 440A and subsequently responded with, "A girl is driving that car." He's never heard that from his daddy (OK, maybe once or twice) so there was no reason for him to give such an opinion. In our travels we've seen enough fast cars with women at the wheel that we no longer think like cavemen when it comes to this particular scenario.

Granted, the number of women actually into performance vehicles is substantially smaller than that of their male counterparts, but another female looking to change this gender-specific performance car trait is Athena Barber. She's always owned Mustangs, and she's been modeling for a few years as well, so when Bassani Xhaust decided to hold a Bassani Babe contest, Athena was the perfect fit. Naturally, she became one of the three Bassani Babes for '03 touring with the exhaust gurus to help create excitement for the Bassani brand.

In November 2003, Athena decided she needed a new project Mustang. Specifically, she purchased an '03 Mach 1 in black, and then learned what all Mustang owners know, it's hard to keep them stock for long. To guide her in the right direction, Bassani Xhaust owner Darryl Bassani aided in getting the right parts the first time.

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The first parts to arrive in Athena's former Kansas City hometown were Bassani's Mid-Length headers, a high-flow X-pipe with catalytic converters, and an After-Cat. In one fell swoop, the exhaust was improved well beyond stock, and perfect for more power upgrades.

Second on the docket was ATI-ProCharger, which is located in Kansas City as well. "This is where I spent many long days and late hours doing all the modifications to my car," Athena says. ATI-ProCharger Senior Performance Technician Jeremy Jensen helped with the fitment and installation of the P-1SC supercharger kit with supplied three-core intercooler and 4-inch pulley, which we covered in our October '04 issue ("Path of Athena," p. 106 ). The 10 pounds of boost from the P-1SC were a welcome addition.

To help Athena get down the track with as little drama as possible, Auto Meter gauges were added to keep her in tune with the mechanical happenings. HP Motorsports upper and lower control arms bite for traction off the line, while a Clutch Masters clutch traverses the power from the engine to the transmission, and on back to the stock 8.8 featuring an Eaton differential, and Strange 31-spline axles and 4.10 gears. Right before Editor Turner photographed the car, a set of Weld Racing Rodlite XP 18x9 wheels were added to spice up the exterior.

After the Mach 1 was tuned in, the ProCharger-motivated, Bassani-exhausted Four-Valve made 454 hp to the rear wheels, which is respectable. Even more respectable, Athena took the Mach to the dragstrip and ripped off a best of 11.66 at 120 mph. That is moving for anyone, no matter the gender. Sounding like a racing veteran, Athena thinks the car should run in the 11.20s with some fine-tuning.

Yes, she races the car herself, and before you think she just sat around doing her nails while the guys worked on her car, Athena says, "You might see pretty nails in the photos, but they're not afraid to get dirty."

Since all the power improvements have centered on support equipment for an ATI-ProCharger P-1SC supercharger, the Mach 1's Four-Valve cam covers haven't budged. As is usually the case, the P-1SC included a three-core intercooler, but Athena's Mach also boasts Ford Racing Performance Parts 42-lb/hr injectors, an ATI-supplied computer chip, NGK TR6 spark plugs, and a complete Bassani exhaust system. To get the power to the pavement, Athena's Mach utilizes a Clutch Masters clutch, an Eaton differential, Strange 31-spline axles and 4.10 gears, and a Steeda Tri-Ax shifter.

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I actually had this issue of the magazine when I read this article for the first time. I remember how much I loved and hated this girl. At the time all I had was a 99 V6 with piddly mods here and there. And here she is with a 4V and a procharger. Yep I wanted to kill her and marry her all at the same time. Or perhaps marry then kill and collect insurance or something...
Thanks for bumping this thread, I think I missed it when it first was posted.

Nice pair (the girl and the Mach)!
(08-10-2011, 10:45 AM)Rare Pony Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for bumping this thread, I think I missed it when it first was posted.

Nice pair (the girl and the Mach)!

+2 Clap_Agree23_30_106
No problem!
Drink_to_that