V8 wagon love
on PH already this week so when we saw this custom 1966
Ford Mustang estate
lurking in a quiet corner of eBay we actually got a bit excited.
Roofline/hatch look familiar? Source may surprise
We don't usually go in for the whole modified custom scene on PH, but a quick scan of the eBay add found that this Mustang is quite amusing and really rather curious: for one, it's got a Volvo roof.
Yep, that whole top panel and rear hatch assembly once belonged to a Volvo 240DL estate. This is a transatlantic muscle car-cum-family special. It's actually a nicely executed conversion, too, looking at the pics - those exposed hinges giving it a certain appeal. We still can't decide if it looks like a goth's hearse or a sort of an American take on the Jensen Interceptor, though.
One thing it will be is fast. Built as a show car, this '66 Stang has a big-block 8.4-litre V8 crate motor from Ford's Special Vehicle Operations Division originally developed to go racing. An 870cfm Holley four-barrel carb delivers the juice to produce around 625hp at 6,250rpm.
All-American under here, if not exactly original
A shed load of torque - 600lb ft at 4,800rpm - will give the nine-inch Traction-Lok limited-slip diff and the three-speed auto a hard time, not to mention the tyres, with that leaf-sprung live rear axle.
One thing it won't be is frugal.
The previous owner - a professional Mustang restorer - apparently sunk over £70,000 turning his original six-cylinder Mustang coupe of 20 years into a stretched, booted custom show car. It seems the effort paid off, as the Mustang "Sedan" as the seller has termed it, picked up the MCA Pinnacle Award in 2013 for the "Best Restomod." We're sure that's a very prestigious crown.
Since its total overhaul, the car has completed just 200 miles. Which means the metallic purple paint and the cream interior should be immaculate, while the Shelby style chin spoiler shouldn't have had too many encounters with kerbs or sleeping law enforcement officers, as they're probably known Stateside.
Craftsmanship can't be faulted, that's for sure
Despite the numbers, it's the odd arrangement of quite impressive practicality sitting side-by-side with genuine muscle car performance from the original era that's got us curious. We really want to click the close button on the browser, but find our cursor hovering closer to 'Bid'.
1966 Ford Mustang custom 'sedan'
Price: starting price $35,000 (£21,000) - reserve not met
Why you should: Power, performance, space practicality
Why you shouldn't: Fuel economy, er, have you seen how it looks?
See the original advert here. Photos sourced from advert.