Best Mustangs To Modify - Moments In Mustang Modification

Starting with a '65 model this C-code fastback has been upgraded with 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels, GT fog light assembly, AOD automatic overdrive transmission, air conditioning and a Fuel Safe fuel cell. Inside the car is an added Pony interior.

This fellow has learned his lessons from the master well, and on a first generation fastback these are the sort of modifications we like to see. Another garden-variety C-code has been transformed into a better-than-Shelby-performance look alike. Everything is there including big disc brakes, appropriately sized wheels and tires that fill the wheelhouses, and a snake in the grass stance for a complete road race look.

Stepping up to a '67 model this car doesn't say Mustang anywhere on it because it's one of a few T-5 versions originally exported to Germany. Other than the emblems, it's identical to a Mustang. This car has been modified with a Tremec T5 five-speed conversion, Vintage Wheel Works Vintage 40 wheels, and custom headlights. The 2V C-code engine has been upgraded to 4V status.

Going up another year to '68 this garden variety fastback has been turned into something special. Late-model Mach 1 wheels, great paint, and custom interior make the car a stand out. Compare it to the T-5 to discern the subtle differences between the two years. Right now '67 and '68 fastbacks are among the most popular Mustangs out there and prices reflect this. Like for the first Mustang body style, '67-'68 parts availability is very good.

Five spoke wheels, Highland Green paint, and emblem delete give this car the famous Bullitt movie look. The truth is that these are such beautiful cars to begin with that you'd have to be pretty ham fisted to achieve an ugly result.

There's no doubt that the Eleanor Mustang from the movie Gone in 60 Seconds has earned a permanent place in the classic stable of incredible Mustang incarnations. Chip Foose deserves the credit for much of the car's futuristic look. Eleanor can be created using either a '67 or '68 fastback (though the movie car was a '67).

Here's a '69 model that you might not want to modify. Mach 1s were very popular so they're not extremely rare. However, this car has the 428 Cobra Jet engine option, making it much more valuable. Still, there are many things that you could do to a car such as this that wouldn't impact the value. For example, a larger wheel and tire assembly and a little lowering in the stance department would look good and not affect value. Parts availability for these cars gets better every day, with even a replacement body shell available. Parts availability is less than what is covered for '65-'68 Mustangs, however.

Here's a plain Jane '69 Mustang SportsRoof that's been modified to both go and handle. It's got a stout Windsor, Global West suspension, and 17-inch Vintage Wheel Works wheels. The owner found this car with the paint as you see it for $7,000 10 years ago. It's worth more than that now. Compare the stance and rolling stock on this car to the '69 Mach I in the previous photo and you'll see what a huge difference these two simple modifications make. Most of the restoration shops we talked to told us the same thing, which was that while '65 to '68 Mustangs are always popular, the '69 SportsRoof model is the most frequent visitor to the restoration shop these days. With more than 130,000 '69 SportsRoof Mustangs produced, the numbers are still out there.

This '70 SportsRoof is a much better project than the first fastback we looked at. This car has straight quarters, minimal rust, and not too much bodywork required. Everybody seems to want a '69 these days so look for good deals on the '70 models, even though they are less numerous by far.