This little yellow coupe is...
This little yellow coupe is a '66 and it shows what can be done starting with a six-cylinder car as a basis. This mildly modified Mustang has a hopped up engine, five-lug wheels, and all the external details looking good. The K-style "high performance" emblem highlights the number 200. The upside to the six-cylinder cars is inexpensive initial cost and economical operation. Parts availability for the inline engine is not nearly as great as for the 289, but there are a small group of die-hard parts companies still supporting them. We think the vinyl top is always a good-looking option on this body style.
If you're dreaming up your next classic Ford project then you've probably gone over a huge range of possibilities in your head. If you've settled on a Mustang for your next undertaking, then deciding which year and model to work on might seem like an easy choice, but is it? The natural inclination would be to build your all-time favorite model, but if your favorite is a '69 Boss 302 (thanks, rub it in Wayne!-Ed.) then initial cost and parts availability can quickly factor into your considerations. If you can afford a genuine Boss Mustang then there is no problem, but if you're like many of us, the cost of these cars has gone out of reach, and so the search is on for something more affordable. What should you buy and build when budget limitations are present? The most common classic Mustang is the '65-'68 coupe. Ford built more of these than any other type. Coupes are a good way to enter the hobby because they are the most numerous and hence cost the least.
The ante for a fastback or convertible has gotten to the point where double is the norm. A '65 coupe that brings $7,500 might cost $15,000 if it were a fastback version in similar condition. But both cars would take about the same amount of cost and effort to restore. Spending the same amount of refurbishment money you'd have a far more valuable vehicle on the finished end if you start with a fastback or convertible. This isn't to say that coupes aren't great cars-they are; and a coupe is a great way to break into the classic Mustang hobby. However, nowadays it's easy to spend more on the restoration than you did on the original car, so if you're going to spend 20k on a Mustang project you need to examine the value of the end result. Let's look at some perennial favorites for modification and evaluate them by year, model, and for parts availability. The truth is that it's possible to make nice modifications to almost any sort of Mustang. After all, love is a subjective thing. Let's have a look at some of the more interesting examples we've run across in all of the classic Mustang categories.
Coupes Are Cool
At the extreme...
Coupes Are Cool
At the extreme end of the first generation coupe modification is this competition orange metallic example. It's complete with shaved details, huge wheels and a supercharged engine. It's just another example of why first generation Mustang coupes are so popular.
To come down with both feet on the subject of best Mustang modification candidates our first choice would go to the '65-'68 coupe models. They rank first because of bang for the buck status. The coupe does everything on the ground just as well as a fastback or convertible. Any performance or handling modification will shine just as brightly on a coupe as on any other model. Even six-cylinder cars are in the performance and modification game with new engine and other performance parts available. For serious performance you'll want to start with a V-8-equipped car. While a V-8 conversion of six-cylinder cars is possible, it is an involved process and you're better off starting out with the nicest basis for a project that you can afford. Parts and labor have gotten a lot more expensive in the last 10 years and you're ahead if you begin with a car that is as straight and rust-free as possible.
Fastback Fascination
Here's...
Fastback Fascination
Here's a '66 Mustang in the form of a Shelby G.T. 350. Carroll Shelby had great styling instincts and we show you this car because any styling cue or mechanical modification you'd like to borrow from it would be a good idea and universally considered to be in good taste.
Just about any fastback Mustang from '65 to '70 is considered to be a good investment. Their extraordinary styling has put them on par from a value standpoint that has surpassed many other classic performance cars from the period. Fastback values seem to have out stripped other classic car benchmarks, and few makes and models have kept pace with fastbacks and SportsRoof Mustangs.
This Emberglow '66 GT coupe...
This Emberglow '66 GT coupe may not look too modified, but the car is complete with reworked suspension, 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels, and a souped up drivetrain including an overdrive transmission. The owner ran this car in the 100mph class at the Nevada Silver State Classic.
Modified doesn't stop with...
Modified doesn't stop with the body and powertrain. Your imagination is the limit, but on this beautiful blue coupe the completely redone custom interior is the epitome of good taste. The only things stock in this tasteful customization are the window cranks and the glovebox door.
Here's an early coupe taken...
Here's an early coupe taken another step up. This car started life as a C-code 289-equipped grocery getter. Its V-8 status made it not too much of a stretch to install a Windsor-based 408. Now the car has some serious power and has the Tremec transmission and 9-inch axle to go along with it. The car also includes all the modifications required to support the extra horsepower, such as an oversized radiator and engine oil cooler.
Stepping up to the next year...
Stepping up to the next year body style we can see that '67-'68 coupes also take to mod-ifications very well. On this mildly modified car the Cragar SS five-spoke wheels and K-style air cleaner are the only visible changes.
Here's another orange coupe...
Here's another orange coupe that takes the modified theme a little further. On this car the flamboyant paintjob is complimented by emblem delete, GT foglights mounted in the grille, and 17x8 custom wheels.
If you choose this cream puff...
If you choose this cream puff as your restoration project you'll be in for the full monte. About the only thing this car has going for it is the fact that it's a fastback. The upside to this car is that it would take about the same amount of effort to restore as a basket case coupe and when you're finished you'll have a much more valuable car.
Famous Mustang race cars were typically fastbacks, so there are plenty of interesting possibilities for replicas or clones. Replicas are a field of particular interest to many enthusiasts because with an accurate duplication you can enjoy the special characteristics of these famous Mustangs for a fraction of the price. A genuine Cobra Jet Mustang would cost plenty on today's market, but a solid replica could be created for a fraction of the cost of an original. On the ground a Mustang with a 428 FE is a Mustang with a 428 FE, and from a performance standpoint it could produce the same level of enjoyment as the real thing. Let's look at some different interesting fastbacks and see why they have such an ardent following.
Famous Clones
We keep coming...
Famous Clones
We keep coming back to this photo because it's one of the most interesting and colorful Mustangs ever produced. Few Mustangs out there are as desirable as one of the original 50 428 Cobra Jet factory race cars. All were produced in Wimbledon White and the CJ Mustangs cleaned up shop at the NHRA Winter nationals for 1968. In our opinion this car is a perfect subject for a fantastic historical clone.
The '67-'68 fastbacks are also very popular for clones or replicas. From the '68 Cobra Jet factory racers to the famous Mustang in the movie Bullitt they are a perennial favorite.
Starting with a '65 model...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
Bigger Bodies
Although many were produced, SportsRoof cars from '71-'73 are seen less frequently than the earlier models. Many of the big bodied SportsRoofs we see are Mach 1 versions, such as this '71 that we found going through its paces on the rollers.
The truth is that it's possible to make nice modifications to almost any sort of Mustang. After all, love is a subjective thing.
Here's the same car after...
Here's the same car after the paintjob. The owner of this car was after a Trans Am racing look and feel, but didn't attempt to replicate a specific car. The Vintage 48 wheels, Grabber Blue paint, and blacked-out hood surfaces certainly give the car a racetrack-ready flavor. Front disc brakes and an overdrive transmission are important additions.
For 1972, the Mustang body...
For 1972, the Mustang body was basically unchanged, but for 1973 we find the impact-resistant front bumper seen on this car. Nineteen seventy-three was a hybrid year in the sense that many Detroit offerings still had the hard bumper in the back, but the complete changeover was mandated for completion in 1974. The 1974 Mustang II had impact-resistant bumpers both front and rear. Parts availability for these cars is slowly improving but still nowhere near the extent enjoyed by those restoring '65-'70 models.
While we're on the subject...
While we're on the subject of big bodied Mustangs it's sometimes easy to forget that the coupes were also popular, and we see them around from time to time. This '73 Mustang coupe has the original paintjob and would be great raw material for a modified Mustang that's truly different from the crowd.
We see modified big bodied...
We see modified big bodied cars from time to time. Here's a '72 Mustang coupe all dressed up for open road warfare at the Nevada Silver State Classic. With a 351 Cleveland underhood, he's ready to run in the 100mph class.
This '73 convertible also...
This '73 convertible also shows the prevailing trend with good-looking big bodied survivors. Preservation as opposed to modification seems to appeal to these owners.
It's easy to forget how popular...
It's easy to forget how popular the Mustang II was when it was introduced, with more than 385,000 units produced. By 1975 the 302 V-8 engine was available. The car could be had with either a formal roofline or as a fastback. A convertible version was not offered. This '76 version has both the slick roofline and the V-8 engine. The late-model Mustang wheels make for a good-looking modification.
Even Mustang II's are good...
Even Mustang II's are good modification subjects as this Nevada Silver State racer shows. The short-deck engine original to this car was tossed in favor of a tall-deck stroker displacing more than 400 ci. There's plenty of power for a run in the 120mph class with this package.