I am just about done building a 1965 Mustang Coupe restomod (what Carroll Shelby called a 'secretary's car'). All that's left is some different front seats and the Eaton blower (winter 2009/10 project). 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 was three years building, and hit the road the first of March, 2009. It's fun to take out on cool summer nights and cruise winding country roads. It handles the curves about as well as my wife's 06 Mustang GT (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 finally quiet enough (after trying 4 sets of mufflers), has a useless first gear (though traction is pretty good if 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) and the supercharger. I stil have to hook up the cruise. The supercharger install should be complete by mid-January (2010). I'm waiting on a couple more parts to come in this week.
This sure woke up the 'secretary's car'.
This will SURELY wake it up! (Current project, details coming soon.)
All the exterior stuff is done.
A/C is in and works great. 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). My wife made the shifter boot and a boot for the parking brake.
Flat stock hood, no stripes, no bling - just a Plain Jane Mustang sleeper. Well, maybe a little bling (well-hidden bling). I have had guys follow me into gas stations to look under the hood.
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.
This picture was made by Mark Skidmore. Check out the very cool cars.
