Pony Up
Ford was restomodding the Mustang long before owners thought of it. One of the original Mustang modifications was the Dcor Interior Group, which was added to the Mustang's option list midyear in '65 and continued through '66. Better known today as Pony interior, the upgraded and more luxurious interior included door panels with molded-in armrests, specially bolstered seats with unique running horses on the seatbacks (thus the "Pony" identification), woodgrain instrument panel and glovebox door, simulated-wood steering wheel, and chrome-trimmed pedals. Today, K.A.R. Auto Group makes it easy to upgrade to the Dcor interior with a Pony interior conversion kit for less than $1,700.
Race-Inspired Seating
The carbon-fiber look remains popular with Mustang restomodders, so TMI Products has taken it to the seats with racing-inspired carbon-fiber-look seat upholstery and door panels. Offered with an expanded color pallet, the carbon-fiber upholstery is tough and durable with extruded cord and thick vinyl with a knitted cross-linked backing for extra strength.
Stainless Panels
Haneline specializes in engine-turned stainless steel dashpanels, so it's no surprise that the company offers several options for vintage Mustang owners. For '65-'66s, Haneline produces an ABS plastic instrument panel, with or without gauges, with stainless panels. The panel for '67-'68 Mustangs comes with six Teleflex-domed gauges. Matching inserts for the rest of the instrument panel are also available. The '69-'70 version doesn't include the engine-turned stainless steel; customers provide their housing so Haneline can install and prewire an electric speedometer, tach, oil pressure/water temperature and fuel/volt.
Power to the Windows
When the word "restomod" was conceived, it was generally used as a term to describe updating older vehicles with modern components. Power windows certainly fit that description. The '65-'70 Mustangs weren't available with power windows, but Electric-Life makes it possible today with a power-window conversion. Available from National Parts Depot, the kit includes new window regulators with electric motors to power the side glass up and down. Installation is a matter of replacing the factory regulators and wiring the motors. A variety of switches are available that can be mounted in the door panels or console.
Sport Headrests
TMI Products' replacement headrests are designed to retro-fit any '65-'67 Mustang with original seats. The OEM-style headrests come in all of TMI's authentic Mustang interior colors and materials, as well as custom two-tone combinations, including the new carbon-fiber-look vinyls. Sold in pairs, the headrests replicate the original factory look and complement the Mustang's original seat style and upholstery. They also feature four-level height adjustment, four-way angle position adjustment, and simple two-bolt and nut attachment to the original '65-'67 Mustang seat frame.
Kick Panel Music
From 1965-1966, most radio stations broadcast on the AM frequency, so hi-fi sound reproduction wasn't needed. Except for models with factory AM/FM or AM/eight-track tape players, which came with speakers mounted in the doors, most Mustangs were equipped with a single speaker in the dash. That just doesn't cut it in today's world of CDs and iPods. Because there's limited space in the kick panel area, Custom Auto Sound offers replacement kick panels with speakers built in. Designed to replace the factory kick panels, the CAA versions come with 611/42-inch two-way speakers capable of handling 80 watts. An upgrade to Pioneer 120-watts speakers is available. The kick-panel speakers are also available for '67-'68 Mustangs.
Luminescent Viewing
Scott Drake Mustang Parts now offers a Luminescent Gauge Panel Set for '67-'68 Mustangs. Not only does it add the sporty looks of white-face gauges, but the gauges glow. The light intensity and color can be changed with a dedicated controller. The woodgrain-faced instrument panel includes a 6,000 rpm tach, a 120 mph speedometer, and a clock.