Powerful Ponies: Five Restomod Mustangs Done Right

The Ford Mustang: one of the most iconic cars of the last century. It’s a car that not only helped pioneer the pony car, it achieved something many of its peers never did: international fame. You can go anywhere in the world with a car culture, and people will know the Mustang. The same probably couldn’t be said of an AMC Javelin, or a Chevelle. Whether this is more due to the Mustang’s numerous appearances in films, TV, and other media, or the car’s high sales figures is not obvious. What is obvious is that this fame shows no sign of disappearing. Countless Mustang restomods are made every year. They’re a mixed bag aesthetically and mechanically: sometimes they get it horrendously wrong, others nail it. In this article, we’re going to stay positive, and look at the former. These are five Mustang restomods that were done exactly right.

The Blue Beauty

I talked about this car in one of the first articles I wrote here at Restomods, but its still one of my favorites. The car was built by Tim and George Palazzolo from Houston’s GAP Racing. It’s done right because, well, it’s been changed dramatically, while retaining its original charm. This isn’t a simple engine drop, or a change in bodystyle. Pretty much every aspect of the car has been somehow improved. The ’69 Mustang has seen its quarter panels widened, and the trunk lid, rear bumpers, and fender extensions replaced with carbon fiber. The brakelights have been replaced with ones that have been 3D printed. All of this has then been covered in an amazing custom blue.

The interior is completely stitchless, A/C has been fitted, and a magnetic ride system now controls its suspension. Then there’s the engine. It’s a 572ci Jon Kaase Boss Nine, outputting 900 horsepower. Any one of these upgrades would have made it a cooler car. All of them combined? That leads to an amazing, thoroughly modern restomod.

CR’s Villainous Mustang

Restomodding can take many approaches. While the one above is a feature packed, retrofuturist Mustang fever dream, this one takes a much more minimalist approach. Created by CR Supercars, Villain, as the Mustang is called, is all about speed. Low weight and high power are the orders of the day. Bring CR a 1968 donor car, and they will strip away the old, rusted body panels, removing everything from the Mustang’s shell. The steel is out, composite panels are in, with the panels designed to not only weigh less, but also be more aerodynamic. Pair this with a Coyote engine, producing 475 horsepower, plus a six-speed manual, and you’ve got yourself a four-wheeled rocket.

Inside, the old seats are ripped out, replaced with Procar Evolution bucket seats with five-point harnesses. The car does come with A/C and a sound system, as well as premium door panels. The reason I mention these is that if you wanted to get even more wild with your weight-reduction, you could also remove these, making it an American Vantage N24. A fantastic minimalist Mustang, the Villain is hell on wheels, but in a good way.

Enter The Dragon

This one doesn’t go to either extreme of the last two we mentioned. It’s neither a dream car from the year 2069, nor is it a minimalist masterpiece. Instead, this one, called the Dragon, is just a nice, well balanced Mustang. Built by the legendary Ring Brothers, this 1970 Sportsroof has retained all of its charm. It’s far more non-stock than it may at first appear. There are modern materials everywhere. Aluminum was used to make the seatbelt’s brace, and the logos and badges are either made of aluminum or carbon fiber. The body is finished in a beautiful Dragon Blood burgundy.

There’s a custom interior complete with Recaro seats and an Alpine sound system. It’s the mechanicals that are truly special though. The suspension has a Quadralink rear and AVCO shocks. The steering is custom by ididit, while the wheels are Forgelines with Baer brakes. The car’s 550 horsepower comes via a Roush 427 IR with 8-stack fuel injection, hooked to a Tremec TKO transmission. This doesn’t do anything too extreme, but it’s fast, fun, and gorgeous.

Revology’s Revolution

The Mustang convertible is a bodystyle that is often overlooked in favor of the fastback and the coupe, which is a shame. There’s something deeply alluring about any convertible, and a convertible 1966 Mustang? That, I cannot resist. For $159K, Revology, will build you a convertible worthy of the title of ultimate summer car. Once again powered by a 5 liter Coyote engine, rated at 435 horsepower, you can pair it with either a six-speed manual or an auto. The engine feeds into a tuneful Borla dual exhaust.

Inside, it’s much the same story. Modern features and bespoke craftsmanship are on display. The windows, seats, steering, brakes, and roof are all powered. Nappa leather bucket seats, keyless entry, and push-button start give the car a splash of supercar style. Add to this rack and pinion steering, LED lights, and wool carpeting, and you have a supreme, premium convertible.

So Vicious

The Vicious Mustang. I thought we’d finish on a bang, and what’s better than a monstrously powerful, 1000 horsepower restomod? Created by Timeless Kustoms of Camarillo, California, this is a true beast. Before we move on to what’s under the hood, let’s take a look at the car’s body. The rear features an aggressive-looking diffuser, and the roof, that gives the Mustang new lines, is by Dynacorn. The new chassis is designed by Art Morrison, paired with Corvette suspension with triple coilovers.

Now, the meaty goodness that kicks out 1000 horsepower. The engine is a supercharged Ford Coyote that produces 650 horsepower. This has then been pushed even further with the addition of Manley rods and pistons, and twin 76mm turbos. Add a Magnaflow exhaust and a six-speed manual transmission, and you’ve got yourself an incredible Mustang. One whole kilahorse of power is at your fingertips in the Vicious, a car that thoroughly deserves its name.