That showy-but-functional theme continues in the cockpit, starting with Rally-series buckets from ProCar (by SCAT), and the leather-rimmed, British-manufactured Moto-Lita steering wheel on a Flaming River tilt column. Auto Meter Phantom gauges look surprisingly at home in the stock '67 instrument panel. A closer look reveals a brushed-aluminum center console (having yet a couple more gauges) with carbon fiber-look upholstery, custom-made for the project by Mustang Connections in London, Ontario.
Tunes weren't forgotten, either, with a remote-control Alpine head unit feeding a quartet of Infinity drivers. To disguise the 6x9 rear speakers, the back-seat area side panels were also custom crafted of aluminum, and covered in carbon fiber-look material to match the console. To help dampen road noise, the interior structure was first insulated with Dynamat sound-absorbent material. As with all killer projects, the room we have for description simply doesn't do justice to the time and effort spent. It's all in the details.
But all this cool stuff is hidden by an equally cool body that is tastefully Shelby-ized with side scoops, rear fender extensions, hood, and beak extensions, all from Maier Racing. It's also personalized with a custom rollbar-complete with third brake light-and 17-inch PS Engineering rims, 8 inches across in front and 9.5 inches out back wrapped, respectively, in 245/45 and 255/45 Michelins. Give the coilovers credit for the hunkered stance.
Custom styling touches abound, especially in the front and rear details, including the conformal spoiler built into the decklid. And check out the silver stripe that echoes the rear fender contours and softens the border between the Tuxedo Black of the top surfaces and the Matador Red of the flanks, all exquisitely applied by Maple, Ontario's A&T Auto Restorations. Of course, they wouldn't have had a canvas to paint had RMF Fabricating's Joe Roy and Ron Baron not applied their skilled attention to the metal and specialty fabrication.
In all, the project consumed a surprisingly brief eight months, and we dare not guess how much hard currency, though it's safe to assume any profits Don might have realized from the sale of his previous Eleanor fastback were happily spent in the creation of his current topless masterpiece. Unbridled lust will do that to a person.
The Details
67 Mustang convertibleOwner: Don Gasiunas, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Engine
351W bored and stroked to 408 ciMachined by Active Engines, MississaugaBillet crank, 4.00-inch stroke6.125-inch Eagle I-beam rodsJE flat-top pistons9.5:1 compressionEdelbrock Performer RPM heads and intakeEdelbrock Thunder Series 800-cfm AVS carbMSD distributor
Transmission
Tremec TKO 600 five-speedCenterforce Dual-Friction clutch
Rearend
9-inch31-spline axles3.50 gears
Exhaust
Hooker long-tube headers, 3-inch collectors2.5-inch ceramic-coated exhaustFlowmaster two-chamber mufflers
Suspension
Front: Total Control coiloversRear: Total Control coiloversRRS power rack-and-pinion steering
Brakes
Front: Baer 13-inch TrackRear: Baer 12.5-inch Touring
Wheels
Front:PS Engineering, 17x8Rear: PS Engineering, 17x9.5
Tires
Front:Michelin Pilot Sport, P245/45ZR17Rear: Michelin Pilot Sport, P255/45ZR17
Interior
ProCar (by SCAT) Rally-series bucketsCustom trim panels and console by Mustang ConnectionsAuto Meter Phantom gauges in stock clusterMoto-Lita leather-wrapped steering wheelFlaming River tilt steering column
Exterior
Shelby fiberglass components byMaier RacingMetal and custom fabrication by RMF Fabricating, BoltonBase/clear pearl finish by A&T Auto Restorations