1966 restoration / resto-mod

cornholio

New Member
Apr 13, 2004
23
0
0
Miami, Fla
Been working on a project for about the last 6 years. Finally finishing this thing up and thought I would post some pics for those who are interested.

Brief history of the car. Original 289, 2bbl, c-4, that my mother bought new in 1966 from Coral Gables Ford here in Miami. She gifted it to me when I was about 15. I drove it through high school and did the usual go fast bolt ons that a kid would do... Holley 600, black jack headers, aluminum intake, and a bunch of stickers on the back window. Became a father at age 23 and basically parked the car and was forced to grow up.

17 years later she's back.

I wanted to keep the factory lines... no flares, not tubbed out, but tasteful gt350 type accents. The front apron, bumper delete, pained fiberglass rear bumper, gt350 hood, etc...

The 289 is stroked and bored for a total of 338 cubic inches. Built by Crawford Performance here in Miami. A built T-5z for a trans.

The rear is a 9 inch from a Versailles, while the front spindles are from a 1968 big block Torino GT.

The interior has the aftermarket seats, gauge cluster, and steering wheel. The six point roll bar is a work of art and came out great. Fabricated by my builder / restorer Brian Thomas from Palm Beach Mustangs in Florida. Who is responsible for all of the work that you see in the photos. Search no further for the best if you live in the South East... or ship it to him. You will not be disappointed.

I dont have that many of the older photos right now, but will post what I can.


Car was stripped bare... everywhere.

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Engine compartment re-assembled. Eventually converted to a cable clutch.. This photo show the older clutch fork assembly which was later removed.

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Started the roll bar.. Fabricated one piece at a time by Brian. Bends for easy access. Rear tubes disappear into rear deck.

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Bar goes into truck and mounts to cross member that is welded to each frame rail.

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Cool It underlay goes in.

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9 inch gets stripped and prepped. Posi 3.50 gears.

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Factory correct paint on the pumpkin

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Koni suspension, Global West Subs, and traction bars

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Car gets some paint. Black with ghost stripes. All but invisible in low light or dark, very subtle and cool in the sun

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Front cap goes back together. Custom hand made grill

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Motor built and ready

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Custom fan shroud fabricated by Brian

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Car is almost done.. More info and pics to come.

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Great Job!

What's not to like! Love the paint job, the tail lights, obviously the roll bar, the bucket seats with the head rests, tranny, etc.

Didn't know the Torino spindles bolt right up, or do they? So no rack and pinion?

Black on black.... [excuse me, I need a moment] WOW, friggen awesome. Note to self subscribe to this thread.
 
Thanks for the remarks. With the exception of the engine build, Brian Thomas of Palm Beach Mustangs did all of the work. I will have a lot more pics once I get the cd from him. These are all pics that he has either e-mailed me or that I took from some of my visits while the project was going on.

The Torino spindles are a little tricky. The spindle itself bolts right up, the trick is having to modify the tie rod sleeve. Takes some stroking, but they work... and it is a nice way to have some big discs up front. I actually did that swap myself about 20 years ago.

The stripes are actually made with the same black paint that the car is painted with. Brian just added some metal flake to have the contrast, and the results are just what I was looking for.

No, I did not do the rack and pinion. Prob should have, but spent the money in other places. I drove the car for many years with the factory setup and no power steering and got used to it. To me, I seem to feel the car better while I am driving. Maybe another mod down the road.

Black on black is loved by some, appeals to most, and hated by the rest. I think that on the right car it is the best color.... hands down. Believe it or not, the close second choice was to paint it the factory green with white stripes... But since I was going the restomed route I thought the black was better. I am not sold on the wheels though. Prob change those as well.

Thanks again for the remarks...
 
This is a terrible picture but will post anyway. I used hood pins from a 2010 Shelby GT.. Black billet, and they look great on the car. Again, the pic sucks...sorry.

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Had to have custom headers fabricated. Found this out when I tried to bolt the headers up to the TFS "hig port" heads. Found a Ford guy in Cali that took measurements over the phone and fabbed them from scratch. They fit like a glove. But, $$$$.

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This is with the cable clutch conversion installed.

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Thanks again for the positive remarks... the car does need and gets a thorough buffing upon completion... including the engine. Do it now and it just needs it again. The final product / pics will be minus the water and dust marks on the valve covers for sure.

Cant wait to wrap this up and start driving her again.

We will see about the wheels. I bought them 3+ years ago.... which is prob why I am considering a switch before I even finish the car. I will check and see if I have a close up of the wheel.. will be posting more pics soon.
 
Just an example of the quality of the work and the restoration, this is a pick of the heater / defroster box parts laid out before re-installing.

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Here is a shot of the heater / defroster installed. Mind you, this is stuff you will never see unless you stick your head up under the dash. Brian at Palm Beach Mustangs does all of his work in this manner.

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When do you get the coupe back from Brian? I spoke to him recently regarding my coupe and what he could do for me. Are you planning to bring the completed ride to any local shows? There seems to be some good ones coming up soon.
 
Should be done this weekend.... Going up there Saturday. Fired it up today. Sounded really nasty over the phone. Just the exhaust install and a few other details and she is done.

Shoot me some dates and locations of the shows. I plan to go to as many as I can. Look forward to meeting at one.

Your car is at his shop now?
 
No, in my garage. It is driveable and partially restored in resto-mod style but I would like to do a full-on restoration. My goal would be a mix of classic style appearance and hints of resto-mod. But I am concerned I could not afford what he and I could come up with. I need to bring the car by his shop in Lox, he what he says and then go from there. I will send you a P/M with some upcoming show dates.
 
I originally gave the car to him to do the paint/body, glass, and wiring... After getting to know him and seeing the work, it just kept going from there. Eventually a turnkey complete retoration.

I had the same opinion as you.. restomod while retaining the factory lines.

I certainly understand the $$ issue. Coming from someone who went both routes.. do it myself and save money, or pay an expert a lot more to do it the way I want and correct.... I'd encourage you to use Brian and spend the money. Even if it is a hit now, the resto will last long after.

He is very fair, knows the cars just as good or better than anyone, and his finished product is second to none.

Thanks for the dates of the shows... See you there.