1967 Mustang convertible restomod is a red-hot blend of old and new.
The Ford Mustang you see here is many things. Most importantly, it’s a 1967 model, a convertible, and the rolling definition of the word “restomod.”
The basic shape is familiar — from the recessed headlights, to the kick-up in the rear fenders, to the concave tail lights. However, if you look closely at certain areas, you’ll notice fresh hardware. For instance, the headlights are HID units. They flank a sparkling billet grille. Under the vented hood, there’s a 392-cubic-inch Ford Racing Windsor. That’s fitted with aluminum GT-40 cylinder heads and a Ford Racing high-performance cam. It breathes through ceramic-coated long-tube headers with 2.5-inch pipes.
Furthermore, the GT-40 stroker motor makes 430 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. That’s sent through a built AOD 4-speed automatic, a 9-inch rear axle with 3.55 gears, and 17-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber. Those chrome rollers cage in vented and cross-drilled rotors, which are squeezed by Wilwood calipers when the going begins slowing, and the red lights start glowing. Shock tower bracing, subframe connectors, and coilovers keep the Mustang’s movements nice and civilized.
Inside, there’s a pair of sculpted, modern front seats. And according to RK Motors Charlotte, “front-and-center, an original dash frames a full array of Auto Meter Pro-Comp Ultra-Lite telemetry. The entire passenger compartment is lined in Dynamat, which enhances the performance of a powerful stereo system. That includes an MP3-compatible Alpine head unit, a Kenwood amp, JL Audio speakers, and a 10-inch Infinity subwoofer.”
As a result, with the exception of the wheels, this 1967 Mustang convertible looks like a good way to define the term “restomod.” If you agree, and want to redefine this Mustang as “yours,” you’ll need to pay at least $63,000 to make that happen.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
