The '74-'78 Mustang II was a good car at the right time, but it wasn't embraced by the vintage-Mustang enthusiasts of the day. As for '79-and-later Fox-body Mustangs, it took nearly 10 years and an easily modified 5.0L H.O. engine to endear it to fans. The '94 model, with its more familiar grille and sidescoops, was a step in the right direction. With the '05-'07 Mustang, Ford knocked one out of the park. Attend nearly any Mustang show today and you'll see almost as many new models as '65-'73s.
Without a doubt, the retro styling of the '05-'07 models has stirred the emotions of vintage Mustang owners and non-Mustang enthusiasts alike. With styling so reminiscent of '67-'70 models, many owners use the new cars as a canvas to pay tribute to the muscle Mustangs of that era. Utilizing Boss and Shelby stripes, vintage emblems, spoilers, and Shaker scoops, modern Mustang owners are creating their own versions of yesterday's classics. Let's take a look at a few in this special section featuring readers' '05-'07 Mustangs.
Modern GT350
Denver's Michael Bateman says he couldn't resist turning his '06 Mustang GT into a modern-day version of the '67 Shelby GT350. "I wanted to modify the car in such a way that it appears factory stock, yet still captures the overall flavor of the classic Shelby," Michael says. "That meant all the components had to look as though they came as a package, which is no easy task when you're mixing and matching parts from a dozen different vendors." Those components include a Classic Design Concepts front spoiler and upper-window scoops, Cervini lower scoops, a Gene Evans Ford rear spoiler, and Tony Branda Performance GT350 emblems and hoodpins.
Michael didn't stop with the looks. He also added a C&L cold-air intake, Ford Racing headers, Roush underdrive pulleys, an SLP exhaust, and an SCT recalibration to up the horsepower to 365 at the flywheel.
Old School Cool
Brenton Johnson from Hollister, California, has always loved the old-school style of vintage Mustangs but never had the time or money to restore one. When the '05 Mustang debuted, he sold his '66 convertible to place an order for an '05 GT coupe. Before it arrived, Brenton began ordering modifications. "I wanted to pay tribute to the old-school muscle Mustangs," he says.
His exterior mods include a hoodscoop, custom Boss-style stripes, lowering springs, front and rear spoilers, side louvers, and black Bullitt wheels with chrome spinners. He finished it off with an SLP Loudmouth exhaust "so the sound matches the looks."
Boss V-6
Unlike most, Pennsylvania's Tony Ginder began with a V-6 Mustang, a yellow coupe with an automatic transmission and Pony Package. Baltimore Street Rods applied the '69 Boss-like striping and hood blackout to give the car a more sinister look, but don't think this V-6 is a pushover on the street. Tony also added a ProCharger Stage II supercharger, a dual exhaust with a crossover pipe, a DiabloSport MAF extender, and an Auburn limited-slip differential with 3.31 gears. Those mods, along with a few suspension bits such as springs and lower control arms, has propelled this Mustang to a best of 12.83 at 106 mph in the quarter-mile. Tony probably surprised a few real GTs.