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Nov 05

A 2007 Version of a '67 Mustang Hits SEMA

A 2007 Version of a '67 Mustang Hits SEMA

DEARBORN, Oct. 29, 2007

On first look, the 1967 Mustang located in the center of the Ford display at this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show could be a pristine original in showroom condition. But, in fact, 98 percent of the classic fastback is all new and made from replacement parts produced by companies licensed by Ford.

"More Mustangs are restored than any other car in the country," said Dennis Mondrach, licensing manager, Ford Restoration. "Our goal is to show how easy it is for a customer to order and assemble a Mustang with parts that are readily available. Not only does it help keep the cost down, the parts are brand new and it saves time from having to scrounge through salvage yards."

Many of the new parts for the Mustang as well as other classic Ford vehicles are made from the original tooling that the company leases to licensees in return for royalties. Thanks to the burgeoning classic car market, Ford Restoration revenues have more that doubled over the last five years.

More than 85 companies currently produce parts for everything from Model Ts to '55 Thunderbirds to Mach 1 Mustangs. While the parts may look like the originals, they are better thanks to newer metals, plastics and manufacturing methods.

Steve Davis, the president of Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auctions and an avid Mustang collector in his own right, calls the availability of new parts "a very big deal" for Pony Car enthusiasts.

"The Mustang has remained popular for so many generations that it's just inevitable that some parts are now very hard to find and others are extremely expensive," he said. "I tell people that I can now find a reasonably priced part for a vintage Mustang just as quickly as they can find a part for their 2007 car."

The backbone of the 2007 version of the '67 Mustang is the new reproduction body shell from Ford licensee Dynacorn Classic Bodies. The Oxnard, Calif.-based company wanted to offer a sheet metal Mustang body that could be used to build an entirely new car or serve as a new skin for an aging car.

"We said instead of just selling the various parts, let's put it all together," said Larry Brogdin, sales manager, Dynacorn. "Since the metals that are produced today are of a much higher quality and welding technology has become more sophisticated, we knew the car would be even tighter than the original."

Inspired by the idea, Ford Restoration invited various licensees to donate the parts to build a new version of the classic Mustang. The end result is a car that on the outside is virtually indistinguishable from the original.

Under the hood, it's a different story. A new Boss 347 motor rated at 450 hp, modern five-speed manual transmission, contemporary safety and performance parts and four-wheel disc brakes offer the kind of driving and handling that was unheard of four decades ago.

Only a handful of small parts such as the windshield wiper motor, some door internal hardware, and several interior trim pieces are originals. A complete list of parts and suppliers is available on the Web site www.fordrestorationparts.com. Mondrach predicts in the near future all the parts for the '67 Mustang will be available.

While the SEMA Mustang is a one-of-a-kind show car, the average enthusiast could probably build a similar one for between U.S. $50-60,000 depending on the drive train and options selected.

The show car has already proved to be a huge success and has generated electricity in the restoration aftermarket. It's been featured in several trade magazines and is scheduled to grace the cover of the November issue of Mustang Monthly, a widely distributed enthusiast magazine.

It's that kind of exposure that Mondrach says makes Ford restoration projects more than just a celebration of the past.

"The same guy who is restoring a Mustang is also in the showroom buying a new Ford truck to haul it," he said. "More than anything, Ford Restoration is about increasing Ford loyalty and selling new Ford products."