By Brian Brennan – Photography By Jason Matthew
The 1967 Ford Mustang is one of the most popular muscle cars from an era widely accepted as the “greatest generation of muscle cars.” The 1967 Ford Mustang saw nearly 500,000 cars manufactured, making it one of the most common Mustangs. The 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby G.T. 500 is also the rarest Mustang ever built. So, when we see a 1967 Fastback, we know what we are looking at, as it is one of the most popular and sought-after muscle cars. Just something about its styling and performance makes it the “heartthrob” of muscle cars.
Rick Ribeiro presents his 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback for us to enjoy on these pages. One needs to look closely, as he has added a handful of styling and performance enhancements that make this Fastback a true hot rod through Emanon Auto & Customs and Powers Restorations efforts. Rick worked closely with Emanon Auto & Customs on all the fabrication to bring it to a rolling chassis. From here, he and Powers Restorations worked together to yield the awesome body- and paintwork in a custom-mixed green flake. Powers was also involved with the final assembly, glass, trim, and the interior.
Here is a look at the modifications that have made this 1967 Mustang Fastback, a true “looker.” Rick wanted to keep the “all-steel” presentation, so rather than use a Shelby-style hood in fiberglass, he had a steel hood made along with custom-fabricated engine compartment panels, including the firewall. Other custom-fabricated pieces include the air cleaner assembly, radiator shroud, top panels, shaved and tucked front and rear bumpers, and front chin spoiler. The factory badging has also been removed to enhance its smooth and clean appearance. Yet, no one will mistake this hot rod for anything other than what it is—a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback that genuinely looks the part of a “muscle” car. Other fabrication efforts include the modified gas cap, shaved stock reverse lights, custom hidden LED reverse light behind, the drop-down license plate holder, and the custom rear valance with the exhaust cutouts rolled to match the stock design. The rear aluminum taillight panel features custom paint to enhance its appearance. An American Autowire harness combines all the car’s electrics, including the LED sequential brake, turn signal lights, and headlights.
While all this leads to great looks, you still need performance to make a great hot rod, and this Fastback has plenty of “pony” power. An original Windsor 302 V-8 was stroked to 347 ci, now pumping out 500 hp and 450 lb-ft. To accompany the stroked motor are SRP pistons yielding a 10.5:1 compression and a Howards hydraulic roller cam. The iron block has aluminum heads, Ford Performance valve covers, and a Victor Jr. Air Gap intake with a Holley Ultra Double Pumper 750-cfm four-barrel. To “light” this fuel load is a Holley in-tank pump through the efforts of an MSD 6AL ignition box, an MSD distributor, an MSD Blaster II coil, and Ford Performance custom-length primary wires. Exiting the disbursed gases are FPA headers made from 1-3/4-inch tubing that link to 3-inch stainless steel tubing, an X-pipe, and a pair of MagnaFlow mufflers, all polished ceramic coating. Other engine accessories include a pair of CVF products in a smoothed aluminum water pump and alternator. A Derale 2,400-cfm electric fan and a mini high-torque starter are used for this. A TREMEC TKO five-speed and an SST advanced friction STR hydraulic clutch system are used.
The chassis is based on a stock frame with custom subframe connectors, front to rear and side to side, were custom made. The front IFS utilizes rack-and-pinion steering, QA1 coilover shocks, 2-inch drop spindles, and a front 1-inch-diameter sway bar from Rod & Custom Motorsports. The rear suspension is based on a Ford 9-inch rearend with 3.50 gears, Rod & Custom Motorsports axles and sway bar, and QA1 coilover shocks.
The brake system consists of a Wilwood Forged Dynapro Big Brake front brake kit with 12.19-inch drilled-and-slotted 32-vane rotors and six-piston calipers. The same drilled-and-slotted rotors are used in the back, but this time with four-piston calipers. The brake package is pressed into service using a Wilwood master cylinder and booster coupled with a Lokar billet pedal assembly. The Mustang Fastback rides on 18-inch Forgeline three-piece wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber; the front rubber measures 215/35ZR18 and the rears measure 255/35ZR18.
Inside the factory interior it now features a dash equipped with Classic Instruments Velocity gauges, a 160-mph speedo, and a 10-grand tach. To ensure proper comfort, a Vintage Air A/C system was installed. The column is then outfitted with a Corso Feroce 14-inch three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel. The required wiring is handled by an American Autowire harness that Rick himself wired. The front and rear seating comes from TMI and is then upholstered by Rick and Powers Restorations in black leather. They, too, handled the headliner, door and kick panels, and the carpeting in black. The custom center console does feature hand stitchwork around the SST shift lever that controls the five-speed.
There can be no denying that Mustangs are cool. Couple this with the tremendous efforts put forth by Rick and others and this 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback is genuinely an amazing street machine.
Check out this story in our digital edition here.
MR
