My wife's old car
 

I bought my wife a 1966 Mustang last year from a friend because she has always wanted one. My initial intention was to have it painted and just let her drive it but after doing a few things to the engine and driving it some myself I decided to just go ahead and go all out on it. I usually don't post projects I do online but I decided to post this one here because I'm using Southern 151 (Corey Fisher) to do the work.

Last year I met Corey during the Salty Cajun Christmas drive that he coordinated and found him to be a stand up guy. I had discussions with him about the restoration and since we both seemed to be on the same page as far as what I wanted the outcome to be I decided to have him do the work. Monday I dropped the car off with him and I'm excited to see how it turns out. This will be a big job and won't happen overnight but will be worth it in the end.

Here is the mustang loaded up and heading to Gonzales.

Corey started out the gate by locating a Ford Explorer with a 5.0 HO motor as a donor. The motor, electronics and rear where all pulled for this project. Once the engine and stuff we needed were pulled he sold he rest of the Explorer and nearly recouped initial purchase price. I ended up with my parts for a couple of hundred dollars!

love that car!!! keep us updated on the progress. very interested in this

Please keep it that color that is my favorite for that body style

tropical tourquiose is the factory color i believe

The '66 didn't come with a motor or tranny?

Does it have the pony interior?

The car will be painted dark grey with black sport stripes. The car originally had a 200ci I6 and a 3speed. I had a 2 barrel Weber Carb, HEI electronic ignition and a 6/3/2 header installed going thru 40 series flow masters. The car sounded good and performed ok. I just wanted more from it. When we are finished the car will have a built 5.0 with fuel injection a T5 transmission and 3.73 gears in a modern &.8 rear. The car will ride on a Rod and Custom M2 front end and Air ride 4 link in the rear. Brakes will be 4 wheel discs. I'm putting shockwave air suspension with a 3 gallon pod. The wheels will likely be 17" Chrome Bullets.

I want the car to be perform and ride like a modern car while still looking like a '66 Mustang. So I don't plan on adding a bunch of fiberglass add one or a body kit. We will shave the emblems and keep it simple and classy. I don't want it to be a trendy car or another Elanore or GT350 clone.

The interior is currently a base interior in black. When it's redone it will have modern pony look. I wand a center console with a double Din stereo, back up camera etc.

We've got our work cut out for us on this project, for sure but, with the disassembly underway, I am pumped up about it! I'll post a few pics as I have time. Bought a GoPro just for this build to hopefully do some time lapse video of the project!

That's gonna be bad arse!! Just don't forget to turn it when y'all start work..

Didn't realize that one of my guys was gonna start the disassembly today so, part of that has already been missed but, when it gets into the major body work, motor, chassis, paint and, such, it'll make for a great time lapse!

Cant wait to see the pictures.
I have a 68 Gt California special edition.
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Here's a few to get us started!
 

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Looking very good

I'll take more of the dismantling tomorrow. It's now gutted!

It's tomorrow Corey, post pics damnit!

I'll post pictures...Tomorrow!:rotfl:

A few pics of the demo
 

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When I bought this car I checked it fairly well. I knew it had some rust. I mean what nearly 50 year old car dosen't. However, I have to say I have been surprised at some of what is being found. The floor boards had been poorly patched with fiber glass. The rear tail light panel was a mess and full of bondo. The rear fenders where full of bondo etc. etc. etc.

All that said it would appear that the car itself is in good condition. I did have to order new front fenders, the rear tail light panel both rear qtr panels and both doors. But other than that is apperars to be solid. Corey is planning on sending off the car to have it blasted to get a better idea of the condtion of the cab and frame rails. When it comes back I hope there are no surprises and he will be able to start on the fun stuff. We had discussed converting the car to a fastback but I decided not to due to the cost.

I have to say that Corey has been a real pleasure to work with and I'd highly recommend him to anyone considering a project like this. He is keeping a very close eye on the cost and time involved and they are flying along. I know where I will bring all of my future work to.

A little progress...
 

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It's coming along nicely. It's almost time to start going back together.

I have to say that Corey has been a real pleasure to work with and I'd highly recommend him to anyone considering a project like this. He is keeping a very close eye on the cost and time involved and they are flying along. I know where I will bring all of my future work to.
That boy don't do any half azzed work. Either it's going to get done right or you can take it somewhere else.Seen him fire folks over the words ,"that's good enough".

True story!:rotfl: Unless you're working on your own vehicle, it's not "good enough." It's right or, it's wrong!

The week coming should begin to see some big advances coming on the car! We discovered that it's been hit in the rear pretty good so, it's gonna hit the frame machine for a little while to pull it back around to square. After that, we'll be doing some bracing and, cutting quarters off and, doing the mini-tub for the rear section.:smokin: The build is about to get exciting!

Also, there has been a change in direction for the motor. Let's just say...It's BIGGER!:D

A little progress...
 

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Mini Tubs going in. This is going to be a BAD car! Joe told me the engine will put out over 450HP.

Man this is giving me the itch to get my mustang started!!!!

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Starting to mock up for reassembly
 

We're still a LONG way from home

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Here's a quick peek at what's been happening on the Stang. This is really the hardest part, and most time consuming of body work. I'd bet both quarters have been on and, off the car no less than 2 dozen times EACH! It's a LOT of measuring and, fitting up but, it'snow got both quarters welded on!

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Can't wait to see it again.

That thing is gonna be bad arse when its complete.... You sure it's still going to be for the wife?! Lol

Wellll...... That's what I tell her. ;-)

I can't believe Corey hasn't posted any updates in a while. Since he likes teasers so much I think I'll just leave this pic here....:D

I've been ridiculously busy with aggravating work but, here's a couple of pics for your viewing pleasure!

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Corey, you got any of that yellow boat paint left? If so, you need to paint the top with dat!

To heck with that yellow! Sorriest covering paint I've ever sprayed!!:pissed:

Any new pics Corey?

Just saw this post. I should have some more stuff up in a couple of days.

Here's some pics of the front suspension as it was and, as it's coming together. I hope to be hanging control arms tomorrow!

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Wow :eek:

One helluva project goin' on !!!

The front suspension is now in. It has a TCI IFS installed with Shockwave air suspention by Ridetech on the front. The rear will be a 4 link also with shockwaves on the rear. Controlling the Air suspenstion will be the Ridetech digital ride control. The neat thing about this control system is it works off of actual level sensors and pressure. It also has a App that can control the system via your cell phone. Pretty trick. The brakes are Wilwood.

The rear suspension is a 4 link using shockwaves. Corey had a bit of a tough time getting the system to fit. The system I bought is designed as a bolt on to fit on the outside of the frame rails. Due to the width of the rear tires it was rubbing against the tires. Corey reversed the mounting brackets and installed them on the inside of the frame rails. He had to notch the floor a bit but it fits. Everything will be welded in for a stronger installation.

The car was originally a 6 cylinder car. The rear differential that was on the car would not be able to handle the additional power we where adding so I decided to add a 8.8 Rear out of a Ford Explorer. Corey had located one at the very beginning of the project and the original plan was to use the motor, fuel injection, electronics and rear differintial. Since we decided to change directions on the motor everything else was sold off except the rear diff. To use it on the Mustang all of the mounting brackets and other stuff had to be removed. Due to the wide tires and the differnce in the width of the car from an Explorer the diff would have to be narrowed. The cool thing about a Explorer differential is that it the gear housing is not centered. It is 3'' offset. It just so happens that we needed to be narrowed 3''. This allows to remove the tube from the long side cut off 3'' and use a short axel on the narrowed side. Corey pulled the axel apart and removed the long tube. No small feat. The tube has now been shortened and will be installed and welded back up. Lets just say Corey is using some creative means to do this. :D Whatever works.

Once it's all back together and the 4 link brackets are installed the rear diff will go off for powder coating.

need to add dual turbo chargers and some Nos

I might add power adders later. The problem is the drive train handling it. The motor going in is 450 HP. The transmission is rated for 600 HP. I might add a 100 HP shot of NOS for that extra little boost. ;-)

I'm trying to keep the car driveable and reliable. I don't want something breaking every time my wife gets on the throttle hard. :D

2015 chargers will be 600hp from the factory. Can't wait to see how it can be boosted.

It's just CRAZY what the new cars are putting out. I had a '78 Trans Am that made less than 300 HP and thought it was a beast back in the day. My truck I drive every day has more than 300 HP now. To be honest it doesn't feel anything like my TA did. It's all about how it's put down. I also had a 2007 Z06 Vette at around 700 hp and it was just stoopid. I couldn't keep tires on that car.

The power to weight ratio on this Mustang will be pretty nuts. I honestly think it will be just about perfect. I expect there won't be much around that will run with it. All that, classic looks and a Daily driver too? Makes me smile. :-)

sparks and metal
 

if that was my vehicle on the left, I would be asking questions about the sparks and hot metal flying on it, but it isn't mine so it must be alright.

I appreciate your concern but, no sparks or hot metal was ever in contact with the vehicle. It was all in the camera angle that made it appear to be so. If I have concerns of such things, any vehicle near it is covered with fire blanket.

It's been a while since I could update so, here are a few photos of the rear end coming together on the Stang. This thing was a bit tricky due to other mods that had been done to the chassis and, the ridiculous width of the tires!

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