I am just about done building a 1965 Mustang Coupe restomod (what Carroll Shelby called a 'secretary's car'). It is a rotisserie restoration with a Heidts Mustang 2 front end, Explorer rear end (3.73 trac lock), built 4.6L DOHC motor, 5-speed manual transmission. It is, after three years, assembled, and on the road (when the weather is nice).  I have most of the bugs worked out and it's fun to take out on cool summer nights and cruise winding country roads.  It handles about like a new Mustang (not quite, but pretty close).

I had the car weighed and it comes in at 3000 lbs.  That's a little more than I thought, but I guess all that extra metal (subframe connectors, extra bracing, M2 crossmember and stuff, 8.8 rear end) adds up.  Still almost 500 lbs lighter than a new Mustang and a little less than a new Vette (and a thousand lbs less than a Shelby GT500 or a Challenger).

It runs great, is a little too loud, has a useless first gear (though traction is pretty good now that it's warm outside), handles well, and gets lots of attention.  Every time I get gas it's like a car show - you know, everybody 'had one just like it' when they were young.  But when I open the hood the response is 'Oh &#*!'. 

Everything's done but the interior (need some late-model Mustang seats).  A/C is in and it sure is nice!  Now I have to hook up the cruise and it's about done.  I decided not to use the Vortech, for now anyway.  I really just want a nice cruiser, and with 500 HP, I'd just break things - often!  I sold the blower setup on ebay (I'll have to put together another one in a little while when I change my mind). 

This sure woke up the 'secretary's car'.

 All the exterior stuff is done except for the front bumper guards.

Pictures from the first Steak-N-Shake Cruise in of the season.  Lots of attention and questions.  It's nice to get compliments from professional car builders!  (Funny, nobody noticed any of the flaws in the paint or bodywork.  Go figure?)

Seat are leather/power from a 98 Lincoln Mark VIII.  They're just a little big ('luxurious') for a little Mustang, but it's like sitting in a leather recliner - nice!  I'm not crazy about them since they are too big, but they'll have to do for now (until I can find some late-model Mustang seats in black leather).

Flat stock hood, no stripes, no bling - just a Plain Jane Mustang sleeper.  Well, maybe a little bling (well-hidden bling).

Took Jane to her first car show this year (April 18), the Eureka Springs Mustang Weekend at Eureka Springs, AR.  Didn't win any class awards (interior isn't quite done and paint needs color sanding).  There were about 140 Mustangs there, mostly later models, including a lot of Roushes, Saleens and Shelbys.  Plain Jane won Best Engine trophy (and $50 cash!).  Not bad to win that out of 140 cars the first time out.