1966 Mustang Is Tuning Perfection
It took twelve years to build, but all the best dreams take time to realize.
If you want to create the ultimate performance Mustang for track and autocross use, while still maintaining a streetable attitude, you need to see this. This custom 1966 Mustang is the culmination of more than a decade’s-worth of work, and the results speak for themselves.
The car was built by a suspension guru named Mike Maier, and it started life as a wedding gift to his wife. A simple, classic rebuild with a ford 289 under the hood. But in the words of Mike himself, “I tend to not leave things alone.”
Now this Mustang is sporting a NASCAR-spec V8 from Roush Yates that dumps 750 horsepower and 580 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. To help that power make the journey from the engine to the wheels is a dog-leg five-speed transmission with straight-cut gears.
As a suspension guy by trade, Mike made sure this thing could handle. First off, the entire front end of the car makes use of a custom setup with new shock towers and completely redesigned control arms. The change was actually a requirement to get the V8 into the nose. The new motor is so large the cylinder heads hit the old shock towers.
CHECK OUT: What the Forum Has to Say About This Roush Yates Monster
In the back you’ll find an inboard suspension system that features custom rocker arms and a three-link setup. Just the rocker arm system alone has eight years of development, and it features interchangeable profile plates. Underneath the car, the frame rails and transmission tunnel have been raised to deal with the car’s lowered ride height.
Our favorite part of the car, however, is how it looks almost normal. It does feature a huge rear wing, custom carbon fiber and Kevlar body pieces, and those massive hand-rolled aluminum fender flares, but this Mustang still doesn’t scream racecar. That look and feel is carried into the cabin as well, where aside from the shifter and the racing seats, the interior is mostly stock. Even the steering wheel and gauges are period-correct.
There is a lot more info in this Hoonigan video about the car, so if you want more details, press play. Make sure you make it to the 13:30 mark to see some donuts.
