Daily Slideshow: The Mustangs of the LA Auto Show
Whether it’s new vehicle shopping, test drives, experiencing the latest tech, or exploring an assortment of customized rides and exotics, there is something for everyone at the LA Auto Show, and when it comes to Mustangs, the 2017 show did not disappoint. Check out what we saw as we strolled through the LA Convention Center.
1965 Shelby Mustang GT 350S
The admitted purpose of the Shelby Mustang GT 350S was to win class BP in the Sports Car Club of America's production category racing, which is a pretty amusing reason for building a new car in the first place... except that this wasn't a new car in 1965. It's a standard Ford Mustang with the 2+2 fastback body plus those alterations that Shelby American deemed necessary to outrace such cars as the pre-Sting Ray 283-cu-in. Corvette, the 3.8 or 4.2 XK-E Jaguar, the 260-cu-in. Ford-powered Sunbeam Tiger and miscellaneous others in the somewhat unreal world of SCCA production category racing. The street version GT-350 had the same chassis and the same basic sheet metal as the 2+2 Mustang except for a fiberglass hood. It also used the standard interior trim, front seats, and instruments. Virtually everything else was either changed or completely different.
This Shelby GT-350 carries a 289-cu-in. high-performance Ford engine but used Ford's new (at the time) high-riser manifold (which gives a tuned intake effect) with the new center-pivot float 4-barrel Holly carburetor which will not flood or starve during hard cornering. The GT-350 also uses lightweight tubular headers and straight-through mufflers. The engine is rated at 306 bhp at 6000 rpm, exactly 35 more than the 271 bhp figure advertised for the standard high-performance version.
1965 Ford Mustang Fastback - Corona, CA
For the past twenty-five years, Richard Vaughn has owned this beautiful 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback. The vehicle includes motor 289 Hi-po K code and 5-speed Tremec transmission. The vehicle was garage-built by family and friends.
1965 Ford Mustang Fastback - San Diego, CA
This 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback is unique in that nearly every panel on it, except for the roof and rear decklid, have been modified to create a modern interpretation of an original GT 350, blending cutting-edge performance with vintage style. It is routinely driven to and run on race tracks across California. For more info see @matt.alcala on Instagram and bestofshowcoachworks.com.
1969 Ford Boss 302 Mustang - Southern California
Five years and over 4,500 man hours went into the restoration of this 1969 Ford Boss 302. The only original parts of the car before the restoration process are the front spindles and the original third member. In addition, this Boss is unique in that it is 1 of 41 with the Deluxe interior group. It has 32K original miles on it and its base price in 1969 was $3,588.
1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Twister Special - Simi Valley, CA
After a 21-year search, Ted and his friend Cal decided to build their own Twister Special from a 351 4-barrel shaker hood 4-speed Mustang. Cal passed away in 2007 and his memory lives on through this tribute vehicle that is owned by Ted Poliskey and his wife Heather.
1991 Fox Body Mustang GT - Los Angeles, CA
Eric Armstrong is the fourth owner of this 1991 Ford Foxbody Mustang, which he purchased in San Francisco just after turning 18. The first two owners had auto-crossed the car, which then sat for several years before the third owner purchased it in order to street race it on Oakland's famous 7th Street "strip." The car was pretty worn out by that point, so Eric put hundreds of hours into its restoration, which has included intense detailing, replacement of the interior carpet and seats, clutch, water pump, brake rotors and pads, and many other miscellaneous enhancements and repairs. To this day, Eric continues to modify this Fox Mustang to make it stand out on the road and perform better. You can see more of his car on his Instagram site.
2017 Shelby GT350R
Although not a classic, the Shelby GT350R could be one day. As it stands now, it boasts a 5.2L TI-VCT V8 engine with 6-Speed manual transmission. Functional features include an engine oil cooler, independent rear suspension, intelligent access with push-button start, Launch control, Magneride Damping System, and a Torsen differential with 3.73 axle ratio. The one big bummer of this car? It carries a gas guzzler tax of $1,300. Retail price for the car you see here? $68,715.
2018 Roush 729 Mustang
Roush Performance debuted a custom-built 2018 Mustang GT that is inspired by the widened bodied 1970 Mustang Boss 429. The car is dubbed the 729 because it packs 729 horsepower that comes from a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine. The really cool thing about this Mustang is that widebody kit and engine notwithstanding the rest of the mods are all from off the shelf or ordered from a specialty shop. To read more about this Mustang, please check out New Wider Roush 729 Mustang Packs Over 700 HP in TheMustangSource.com.
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