What's this?
 

I got bored on this Memorial day, and started surfing around, and found this. What do you think it is?
http://www.suspension.com/rearend-2.JPG

RE: What's this?
 

Some kind of funky-looking IRS?
Or maybe a space-age pencil sharpener? [:@]

RE: What's this?
 

Yep, it is an independent rear suspension, but from what early Mustang?

RE: What's this?
 

I'd guess that dark green experimental '68 Shelby hardtop: "GT500EXP."

RE: What's this?
 

Nah, boo hiss....earlier.....

RE: What's this?
 

L'l Red? That one was a '67, wasn't it?

RE: What's this?
 

Read about it here. http://www.suspension.com/Must-IRS.htm

RE: What's this?
 

Y'know... I'm starting to remember something I read not too long ago. Let's see...

The developers of the Mustang originally started working with an IRS on a 1964 Falcon in '63 (because the Mustang wasn't a reality yet). I don't think they ever got as far as installing it on a Mustang, but they did make some drawings of how it could be done. I think they even used some Jaguar parts (long before anyone know Ford would one day own Jag). The drawings were misplaced for decades until someone rediscovered them in the early '90s. There were plans to reproduce the kit, but I don't know if it ever happened.

So, I guess technically you'd have to call it a 1965 (or '64.5) experimental Mustang IRS.

RE: What's this?
 

Well, as you can read, Carrol Shelby actually produced a few of them. I'm not sure if the competition with the chevy Corvair/Monza was their impetus. but those guys were definitnetly in competition. It is quite obvious that the Mustang won out, as we not only see the Corvair has gone away, but also the Camaro. :D