The Details
'65 Mustang convertible
Owners: Gary and Kay Bennett, Lilburn, GA
Engine
Ford 392 Windsor
Ford Racing Performance Parts Sportsman block
Steel crankshaft
4.030 bore, 3.85 stroke
Hypereutectic pistons
9.7:1 compression ratio
FRPP GT40Z aluminum cylinder heads 1.94/1.64 valves
Hydraulic roller camshaft 0.566 intake, 0.576 exhaust
Roller rocker arms 1.6:1 ratio
Edelbrock Victor Jr. intake
Holley 750 carburetor
K&N air filter
MSD 6AL ignition
430 hp at 5,500 rpm
450 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm
Quarter-mile performance: 12.96 at 109 mph on street tires
Having an Optima battery installed...
Having an Optima battery installed in the trunk is definitely the way to go. Any weight taken off the front and added to the back helps contribute toward a more neutral balance. The new battery location over the rear wheels aids in traction by putting the weight where it's needed. With a 392 Windsor in this car, traction is certainly an issue.
Transmission
Tremec TKO five-speed manual
Centerforce Dual Friction clutch
Cable clutch system
Lakewood bellhousing
Custom aluminum driveshaft
Rearend
9-inch
Detroit True Track differential
3.89 gears
28-spline axles
Exhaust
FRPP stainless steel shorty headers, 1-5/8-inch primary tube 2-1/2-inch dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers
Suspension
Front: Rod & Custom Motorsports Mustang II, 2-inch dropped spindles, 1-1/8-inch antisway bar, rack-and-pinion steering
Rear: Reverse eye leaf springs, Shelby under-ride traction bars, subframe connectors, 7/8-inch antisway bar
Brakes
Front: Disc, 11-inch
Rear: Disc, 11-inch
Wheels
Front: '01 Bullitt wheels, 17x8
Rear: '01 Bullitt wheels, 17x8
Tires
Front: Goodyear Eagle, P245/45ZR17
Rear: Goodyear Eagle, P245/45ZR17
Gary had this French seam...
Gary had this French seam stitched into the deluxe door panels to add a bit of a custom touch to the otherwise stock ones. It's subtle, but it gets noticed.
Interior
Blue/white deluxe interior
Grant steering wheel
Auto Meter Carbon-Fiber Ultra Lite gauges
Custom Autosound stereo with kick panel speakers
Exterior
GT Rear valance
Shelby front valance
Shelby GT350 hood
Complete repaint by owner as a Shelby GT350 convertible
'64 Guardsman Blue/white Shelby stripes
Built Dearborn Assembly Plant, February 6, 1965