Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. From the day it hit the streets in April 1964, the first iteration of Ford's Mustang has proven to be a success beyond measure. Even if you do not particularly count yourself as a Mustang fan, the appeal of the inaugural ‘Pony Car’ is readily apparent. Good looks, three body styles and price points that spanned a wide spectrum were just some of the reasons for their popularity and the 1965-1966 Mustangs were the precursor of even greater things to come.
Stiff competition loomed for 1967 in the form of the Camaro, Firebird, Cougar, and a redesigned Barracuda, so perhaps it made sense for the Mustang's first major update to coincide with the other manufacturers' significant debuts. Regardless, the stakes were sky-high for Ford's design and engineering teams, who were hard at work on the redesign even as the original 1965 models debuted. From the outside, the 1967 Mustang shared many of the proportions with the previous model, whilst the overall look was much more aggressive, with a deeper and larger grille, a forward-jutting hood, sharply creased side body lines and a distinctive concave tail lamp panel.
The car presented here is a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback GTA (chassis #7F02A120100), however it is not exactly how it left the factory – it’s been reworked quite a bit...
The car started life as a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback GTA A-code (so fitted with a 289 cubic inch 4v, 225bhp engine) and benefited from some interesting 1967-only factory options, notably a ribbed rear panel and a tilt option for the steering wheel. In more recent times, its then American owner decided to upgrade it, wanting a K-code specification car - the top engine option available to a Mustang. The K-code refers to a durable, lightweight ‘Hi-Po’ 289 cubic inch V8 and features special equipment to make an official rating of 271bhp, including uprated cylinder heads, camshaft, air intake, distributor and carburettors. All this necessary work was carried out as part as a full nut and bolt restoration, before it was repainted in rare Ford Burnt Amber (Code B). The car was then later sold via US-based muscle car specialists, QualityClassics. com (formally MyRod. com) of Texas who described the body work as 'laser straight' and made two YouTube films about it: - details above
The car came to the UK in 2010 and this is where the next level of ‘upgrades’ were added; using this already immaculate starting point, it was further worked on by an H. R. Owen (Lamborghini) lead mechanic - who had a passion for American muscle cars – plus Cotswold Classic Car Restorations and also by highly respected Mustang specialists, Bill Shepherd Automotive. The work carried out centred on the engine, transmission, suspension and brakes. The engine became a 5. 7-litre 550bhp ‘leviathan’, with a supercharger now installed. There is a full custom-built (and switchable) exhaust system, able to bypass certain sections to create some ‘real sound’.
All the supporting areas of suspension, brakes and drivetrain were suitably upgraded to match the sizeable power output. All new parts were specially sourced from the US, with only the highest quality deemed acceptable for this car. An enormous amount of work has been performed on the car over the years, costing more than £60, 000. This is one of the most extreme Mustangs we have ever offered for sale and at a guide price which is a fraction of what it would cost to source, import and build a car to this specification, it really does need to be seen ‘in the metal’. If you want to make an entrance, look no further, this is one potent and striking muscle car and not for the faint-hearted.
