1967 FORD MUSTANG

1967 FORD MUSTANG

WHEN HORSES RUN WILD

Text and Photos: Reinis Babrovskis

Classic love story – Romeo and Juliet, Napoleon and Josephine, Bread and Butter, Rum and Coke, American Muscle and V8; these are things that can’t live without each other. Americans know how to build a proper, excuse my French, fu*&$ng naturally aspirated petrol-thirsty eight cylinder engine in the shape of a letter V. They also know(ew) how to design a beautiful, mean and just down right badass car, so there is no surprise the beautiful and iconic Ford Mustang became a motoring icon that is still idolised half a century later.

#THESTORY

It was October 9, 1967 when a lady called Rosa walked into a dealership in Indianapolis and a car sales representative Jim accepted her 1960 Oldsmobile as a trade in and sold this magnificent 1967 Ford Mustang for…wait for it: 3315.77 American dollars. 

The 289 cubic inch V8 powered pony came with extras like cruise-o-matic, radio, deluxe belts, tinted glass, power steering and was finished in beautiful frost turquoise paint.

I am sure the car brought loads of smiles and great memories or Rosa, but after 8 years of ownership the Mustang was stored away in a rundown barn in Indiana for almost 25 years, reading barely 56 thousand miles on the odometer. Luckily a chance for a new life for the wild pony appeared on November 2001 when it was placed in a shipping container and sent across the Atlantic Ocean all the way to Northern Ireland to be fully restored.

It took Gerry 8 years to save up the money for the replacement parts and restoration work. The work finally began in 2009; full 10 months, every evening, every Saturday and Sunday carrying out full extensive restoration work until it was ready again. By 2010 the car was finished and made its debut on the road as his own wedding car. The wild horse was able to run free once again, but this time on the Northern Irish soil.

#EXTERIOR

Ford Mustang is arguably one of the prettiest pony era cars, maybe even of the prettiest cars ever designed. The popularity of the car was further boomed thanks to the movies like Bullit and Gone in 60 seconds where the car was the star of the movie.

50 years in, the car still looks mean, majestic and striking from any angle. Every single moving wearing or perishable part on this Mustang was replaced; all new hardware throughout the entire car, it was an entire mechanical overhaul. The exterior was restored to its former glory with the beautiful chrome shining in the sun and the factory frost turquoise repainted and striking yet again.

There is no need to “slam” this car, change body parts, add diffusers, change wheels or tint windows. It is good as it is, there is no point to try harder to impress somebody – it impresses everybody as it is. And the reason for that – it was outstanding straight out of the box.

#INTERIOR

I will say this over and over and over and over… again until manufacturers will hear us – they don’t make them like this anymore. You could take a heater button and place it in a display cabinet and it would be an art. The beautiful Chrome buttons, spectacular mechanical tachometer and speedometer, enormous yet elegant steering wheel and the comfiest black leather sofa is just some of the finer details found in the interior of the Mustang; however, it is anywhere where you look it screams passion and love for automotive industry. There are no cut corners here.

I detest the modern plastic buttons, vegan or glutten or whatever it is fashion to be free from at the moment seats, digital dashes and soulless interior designs in modern cars. It takes an Italian or American car from the past to show us how it should be done. And boy they do it so well.

#ENGINE

No Mustang should have ever left the factory without the iconic American V8 (shame on anybody that bought one without, shame on you…) and this example naturally is powered by the real deal – Ford’s 289 small block to be precise. The whole engine received a full overhaul, receiving an all-new electronic ignition replacing the tired points and condenser as well as high power inlet manifold, 4 barrel Edelbrok performance carb, performance cam and lifters. It also was rebored and received new pistons and rings as well as new bearings and seals. The magnificent engine is not only more reliable and easier to live with but produces super healthy 200hp.

The engine is coupled to a C4 automatic transmission, that again obviously underwent a full rebuild with all new internals. Whilst at it Gerry also treated it to an all-new 2.79-1 rear end. This car sounds exactly how you picture an American Pony to sing – mean and terrifying.

#RUNNINGGEAR

To retain the OEM look the brakes and suspension was left as per factory; however, it was all replaced with new parts. All new brakes and steering, from the driver to the wheels every part is new. The car rides super smooth and you most certainly get the American comfort when cruising in these.

#SUMMARY

Sadly with a young family and busy work Gerry couldn’t use the car often either and felt it wasn’t fair to keep the Mustang in the vacuum bubble for another 25 years, so it was sold to a new owner this year. As Gerry said: “the car is a medicine to your mental health”; take it out for a spin and come home happy! I hope it will offer plenty of fun memories for its new owners for another 50 years to come. A Mustang (and many cars for that matter) is more than a car. It is memories, fun and a lifestyle.

#BONUSIMAGES