Asking YouCar StoriesProject Cars

1967 Mustang Fastback Project Car, HELP

We have a 1967 Mustang fastback with factory air, 289 and C4 automatic. I have owned this car since the mid 80s. I drove it as a daily driver and all of my 3 kids drove it to high school. It is now the worst for ware but still is rust free and it is my very favorite Mustang body of all time. So what should I do with it? I have lots of ideas and can’t decide which way to go. Money is an issue but not the biggest concern.

67 Mustang fastback

I want it to be very dependable and absolutely safe to drive. I want to drive it any day, any time for any length of time; to the grocery, to a cruise or across country. I also want to take it to a show and draw attention so I can meet new folks and talk cars. Here are my thoughts.

The first is to fix the minor dents, align all the body panels and put a non gloss black primer style paint on it. I would also clean up the interior and keep the late 80s Mustang seats that are in it. Under the hood I would stay with the 289 but add a new manifold and headers. The rest of the mechanicals would just be refreshed as necessary.

The car would sit just as it does today, lowered 2″ all around. The tires and wheels would be vintage 15″ steel 68/69 Mustang sport wheels with center caps only and BFG tires.

67 Mustang Fastback

This would essentially be a low buck Rat Rod Mustang. It would be fun but nothing outstanding but I wouldn’t have to worry about chipping the paint or ripping a seat or getting the carpet dirty. Just drive it, wash it and keep on going.

The second option would be much more expensive. I love the old Trans Am cars of the 60s and 70s. One of my favorites was the 1969 red white and black Boss 302 that Parnelli Jones and George Folmer drove.

trans am Mustang

I would start with putting a 428 CJ or a new Ford Crate Boss 302 under the hood and a C6 or 700R behind it. However with $4 gas ever possible I would also consider a late model fuel injected engine with overdrive transmission. I would use coil over shocks and springs up front with power rack and pinion steering; in the rear would be a four link set up. The engine compartment would also house a March serpentine belt system and Vintage Air. The interior would be a modern very comfortable interior for long drives.

The exterior would be just like the race car red sides, black hood and deck and white stripe/top and a white C stripe on the side. However, my C strip would be like the 68 Mustang except it would say Boss 428 at the rear fender vents.

69 transam Mustang

The underside would be completely undercoated for long life in any weather. The tires and wheels would be 16′ or 17′ original style torque thrusts with BFG tires. The entire car would be lowered at least 2″.

Another approach is to go with a full on Shelby GT 350/500 body kit but with a custom paint job; I think maybe a dark maroon with gold stripes. The interior would be kept original in style but greatly updated with new gauges and enriched surfaces. It would be a light beige leather. You would know it was Mustang but the quality of materials would be more like a Lincoln. Tires and wheels would again be 16/17 inch with traditional Shelby style and appearance.

Yet another approach is to stay pure to the 67/68 fastback body style but clean it up. No scopes and no wings or spoilers. The vents on the rear sail panel would be filled in and smoothed out, the bumpers would be removed or body colored. Chrome trim would be at a minimum. The car would have an air bag suspension and sit low to the ground. The interior would be completely modern in also in a light beige leather. The paint would be a solid color, likely a champagne silver of some sort.

I am open to other ideas; let’s hear from you. What do you think? Leave a comment below.

Show More

Richard

I grew up and lived in Iowa for a good portion of my life before moving to Southern California. After 20+ years we now live outside Nashville Tennessee. I have been into cars since I was old enough to remember. I don't have a brand loyalty although I do prefer American Muscle especially the 1969/1970 NASCAR Aero Cars. (Check out our other web site at www.TalladegaSpoilerRegistry.com site) As long as it has four wheels and an engine I get excited. Few men are lucky enough to be able to share their passion for cars with the woman they love. Fortunately, my wife, Katriana, is also a gear head and many of our activities revolve around the cars. We have a small collection that includes at least one car from each of the Big Three. It includes a Best of Show winner, a survivor, a driver with lots of patina and several others. Katrina prefers all original cars while I like to modify them so we have a few of each. When we aren't playing with cars we are out working with or showing our miniature donkeys. You can see more about that part of our lives at http://www.LegendaryFarms.com.

Related Articles

12 Comments

  1. I like a variation on the second theme. I would go with the red and black paint job, but numberless and sponsor-less. Instead of the torq-thrusts, I’d go with some big fat minilite wheels like you see in that second picture of the red and black one. Wheels, tires and stance make the car, dude.

  2. Fix it slowly and drive.

    I sold my 67 Fastback and now I do miss it.

    Also I do have 1957 190 Benz, not SL, if you are interested for trade.

  3. You should restore the Mustang, some suggestions are:
    – Paint it a flat black color
    – Put some chrome rims on it (either 19s or 20s)
    – Fix the original interior, i like your idea of keeping the late 80s seats
    – Tint the windows
    – Put a strip down the side or something along the lines of that to make your car stand out from the others

  4. @Dan
    Are you crazy, man? That is a classic Mustang and not a Fast&Furious- japanese plastic box. It is a Muscle Car and 19 or 20″ rims are forbidden, because it looks bullshit.

    It should be as classic as possible. Best style is the Trans Am-style with Minilite rims and lowered suspension (2-5 cm)

  5. I OWNED 1967 FAST BACK WHEN I WAS 36 YEARS OLD I,M 48 NOW AND IT WAS THE BIGS MUSTAKE OF MY LIFE IT WAS RED WITH 10″ MAGS ON THE BACK AND 9″ ON FRONT AND MY PLATES SAID LUKES 67. I MISS THAT CAR MORE THEN ANY THING I,V EVER HAD IN MY LIFE.I HAD TO SALE IT AND IF SOME HOW I COULD TALK YOU OUT OF IT I WOULD. BUT KNOWING YOU,R GOING TO KEEP IT IS JUST AS SADISFING. DON,T DO WHAT I DID IF GOD EVER GIVES ME ANOTHER CHANCE I WHANT TO BE BEAREED IN MY 67 MUSTANG.

  6. hey man i think it should be restored to stock cause it dont need anything to stand out in a crowd its beautiful man if you can try finding the magnum 500 rally wheels

  7. SWEET, I too have a 67 fstback wich may be a little radical, It will consist of a FE 390 stroked to a 445ci by survival motor sports internals,fill lenght headers aluminum heads,all balanced and of course a lot more goodies, intern putting out 540 HP on pump gas, the body all origilan with exception of shelby rear deck lid and fender extensions, independent front end, power rack, custom built original dash, gray and black interior and platinum in color , The Platinum Pony !!!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also
Close
Back to top button