One of the most interesting developments in our classic Ford hobby is the emergence of replica making, or cloning. When it's time to make a historical copy of your favorite classic Ford, there are more resources than ever to help.
There are several famous Mustangs that are great subjects for replication, with classic Shelbys perhaps the most popular choice. Your cloning project may be relatively simple, like making a GT replica out of your A-code Mustang. Others may be more complicated, such as a Shelby GT500 or a copy of the "Eleanor" Mustang from the movie Gone in 60 Seconds. For our discussion, we'll look at what is required to get the ball rolling on a Shelby Mustang clone and then we'll look at the body for an Eleanor replica, too.
On any of these cars, which powertrain to use is up to the builder. Whatever was furnished originally is the benchmark, and each builder may or may not vary from that. What we're interested in here is what's needed to transform the car's outward appearance. While we don't have the space to explore every cloning possibility, we will glance at one or two interesting choices for replicating something a little different.
For the true enthusiast, any famous Mustang is fair game, beginning with the '64 Mustang Indy Pace Car. There are also interesting subjects to copy with your Mustang coupe, like the GT, the California Special, or the Trans-Am racer. Many other classic Ford cars besides the Mustang make great replicas or clones. Let's look at some of the more popular cloning projects and what is required to produce great results.
Here's your basic '65 Shelby...
Here's your basic '65 Shelby Mustang. One of the things you'll notice immediately about this car is how good it looks while being so simply adorned. To make a Shelby GT350 replica, it's not what you add to the car but what you take off. This car loses much of the trim found on regular Mustangs, such as emblems and moldings. On the front of the car, the corral and pony are gone, and a smaller emblem is placed on the grille off to one side. The R-model GT350s were sans bumpers as well.
Let's suppose your subject...
Let's suppose your subject Mustang is just back from the paint shop. Some of the first things you'll need are emblems and rocker stripes. This selection From Tony D. Branda is for first-generation Shelbys. If you're aiming for the Hertz Rent-a-Racer cars, their stripe is also shown. The Shelby rocker-stripe kits cost between $50 and $75.
To complete the Shelby look...
To complete the Shelby look up front, you need the right valance panel. This one offers the best of both worlds in that it provides the increased size radiator opening while still allowing the use of the stock front bumper. Part No. 808 at Mustangs Plus, the cost is $261.95. There's also the R-model valance which eliminates the front bumper available as PN 521 at $161.95.
If you want to add the GT350-style...
If you want to add the GT350-style hood for your Mustang, you can purchase the scoop separately and have the body shop graft it onto your existing steel hood. Use PN 852 at Mustangs Plus for the scoop, which will run you $89.95. If you'd rather have the hood and scoop as one piece, then the complete hood as shown on this car is the way to go. This hood, PN 511 at Mustangs Plus, costs $375.95.
This beautiful wheel is the...
This beautiful wheel is the classic Cragar SS five-spoke model, which was originally available as an option on the '65 Shelby GT350. It's bad to the bone, and available at Tony D. Branda Shelby and Mustang Parts for $384.95.
The '66 side scoops look cool...
The '66 side scoops look cool even on a regular Mustang. They widen the car slightly and lower the visual center of gravity. They can be functional for rear brake cooling or nonfunctional. Get a pair at Mustangs Plus, PN 243 for $79.95.
This '66 Shelby replica shows...
This '66 Shelby replica shows some of the differences between the '65 and '66 GT350 exterior. There were many more colors available, and the new rear side scoops could be hooked up for rear brake cooling, if desired. The most noticeable change is the triangular rear quarter-window. It looks cool and eliminates the blind spot made by the fastback vent panel. The original side vent extractors were so beautifully designed and built by Ford that it almost seems a crime to omit them for a window. But no one would argue that the '66 quarter-windows don't look great, and they're made of Plexiglas to save weight.