David Points is quick to admit that he owns three restored Mopars--a SuperBird, Hemi 'Cuda, and Hemi Road Runner.
"They are great cars," he says, adding, "but frankly they cannot be driven and enjoyed like they should."
Points' comment is wrapped up in the fact that driving a concours restoration subtracts from the car's value. So he built a restomod so he could get out on the road and have some fun. But why a Ford instead of a Mopar?
Born in 1951, Points hit driving age about the time the Mustang was introduced. He drove a Corvair at the time, but a buddy sported around town in an early Mustang fastback, burgundy with a four-speed behind a high-winding 289.
"I thought it was the nicest looking car that was ever put on the road," Points admits. Since then, he admits, he's always wanted a vintage Mustang fastback but was unable to "corner one" until a '66 "in boxes" turned up in North Carolina--a GT with the A-code 289 four-barrel in Dark Ivy Green with black interior.
A factory '66 GT fastback is a pretty valuable collector Mustang. Dave initially considered restoring it to concours condition. But, the more he thought about it the more he realized that he wanted a car to drive without the worry of scrubbing off the concours value.
"I'm an absolute purist when it comes to Mopars," Points says. "I get the date codes and part numbers right. I make sure the head bolts are correct. But I've gotten a little tired of hanger queens. I decided I wanted a car that I can enjoy, one that looks original but with modern updates."
Thus, a slight bump on the hand crank activates power windows. The Vintage Air A/C blows cold air, but Points hid the aftermarket ducts inside the center console. A look behind the steering wheel reveals Stewart-Warner gauges in the original pods. The interior is deluxe "Pony." However, for more comfortable seating and side bolsters, Points bought Sport seats from TMI. They use the original seat frame, but the seat is wider with more padding.
The build became a fun endeavor, not unlike what Points might have done as a teenager, given the funds and the parts availability of today.
"Remember back in the day you would buy a car with plain hub caps and the next day you replaced them with mag wheels?" Points had fun picking out 15x7 Rocket wheels with gray spokes and caps with red writing, a match for his custom silver and red stripes.
One of the early decisions was the color change. Dave chose black accented with a red interior.
In the 1960s, upping the horsepower was de rigueur for any self-respecting enthusiast. For his Mustang, Points increased the original 289's horsepower from 225 to about 310 with a "bumpier" cam along with improved intake and exhaust. He chose 289 Hi-Po exhaust manifolds and a Holley 650 Double Pumper four-barrel topped with a stylish oval air cleaner in black with red piping. Ford Racing valve covers carry the same color scheme.
Points also replaced the original distributor with a PerTronix to eliminate the pesky points. The original radiator had to go to insure cooling; an electric fan turns on at 160 degrees. Halogens burn brighter than the old headlights. The rear turn signals are LED and blink sequentially inside original taillight housings. GT springs provide a stock GT stiffness to the original suspension. Improvements include polyurethane bushings, adjustable strut rods, and roller spring perches. Dave also chose a Flaming River steering box, Baer bumpsteer kit, and a beefier front sway bar.
As a retired Pennsylvania State Police Captain, Points built his Mustang for comfortable cruising. "I haven't had a chance to get the Mustang out and enjoy it like I want to," Dave says. "We recently moved to Texas and my new garage is 20x60. I'm excited about getting my cars in the garage and driving the wheels off this Mustang. I can't wait."
Specs
Interior
- TMI Deluxe Pony Sport seats with headrests
- Stainless steel sill plates with lighted horse emblem
- Power windows with remote
- Power door locks with remote
- AM/FM radio, dual front speakers, and Pioneer kick panel speakers
- Air conditioning with vents routed through console
Suspension
- Global West adjustable strut rods
- Global West GT front springs
- Opentracker roller spring perches
- Opentracker roller idler arm
- Flaming River steering box
- Heavy-duty front and rear sway bars
Brakes
- SSBC front and rear disc brakes
- Stainless steel brake lines
- Adjustable proportioning valve
Engine & Drivetrain
- Rebuilt 289, balanced and blueprinted; 310 hp
- Edelbrock water and fuel pumps
- Holley double-pumper four-barrel
- Hi-Po exhaust manifolds, ceramic coated
- Griffin aluminum radiator
- Powermaster 100-amp single-wire alternator
- Powermaster Hi-Torque starter
- Eight-inch rear with 3:23 limited-slip gears
- Roller bearing clutch pedal
- Upper and lower clutch rods with Heim joints
Exterior
- LED sequential taillights
- LED turn signals/parking lights