1968 Ford Mustang by Velocity Restorations

The resto-modding sport has modified fairly drastically over the past decade. What started as a distinct segment nook of the trade that sought to modernize classics with improved dealing with, efficiency, and facilities has grow to be just about unrecognizable. Companies like Gunther Werks now completely re-engineer classic Porsche 911s, whereas Singer Car Designs, essentially the most illustrious builder within the area, produces new fashions driving on long-retired platforms. And we haven’t even broached the topic of the seven figures a few of these machines now command.

In distinction, the 1968 Ford Mustang by Velocity Restorations I’ve been driving this week is a resto-mod within the conventional sense. The Florida-based agency will take both a 67 or 68 mannequin yr automotive and strip it of its engine, transmission, and chassis. Within the case of this tester, completed in a stunning shade of Brittany Blue, Velocity changed its drained {hardware} with a 5.0-liter Coyote V8, a 10-speed automated transmission, and a Roadster Store chassis. In the meantime, its cabin receives re-trimmed seats, semi-digital gauges, an upgraded A/C system, and a digital head unit, to call just a few.

Velocity’s construct course of is exclusive, starting with a $25,000 deposit and ending with a assured supply date inside 14 weeks. That’s milliseconds in comparison with the usually years-long construct instances boutique manufacturers are ceaselessly identified for. 

The elephant within the room, nevertheless, is its price. Whereas a Signature Sequence mannequin like this one begins at $269,900, this tester is available in at $299,900. Stepping as much as the additional upgraded Avenue Sequence bumps that base determine to $349,900, whereas a Convertible automotive instructions $299,900 with out extras. Dear resto-mods might have grow to be the norm, however their valuations are pushed by their behind-the-wheel expertise. And Regardless of this Mustang’s stellar appears, a scarcity of refinement and {hardware} fine-tuning maintain it again from being price its close to $300,000 asking value. 

I’ll begin with the positives, and there are various. This 1968 Ford Mustang is probably going the prettiest automotive I’ve ever examined. And whereas credit score for its styling goes to Dearborn, Velocity Restorations does a improbable job when it comes to its paint and chrome work. This automotive’s Brittany Blue exterior isn’t simply beautiful; thanks partially to the usage of high-quality Glasurit paint, it’s executed nicely. Its vibrant trim is polished to a mirror end, and it efficiently incorporates new LED head and tail lights with out making them really feel anachronistic in opposition to such a classic physique. 

Its Roadster Store chassis and Fox coilover suspension contribute considerably to its attractiveness, permitting this Ford Mustang to take a seat far decrease than commonplace. Upsized 17-inch polished wheels wrapped in Continental Excessive Contact rubber fill its wheel wells whereas endowing it with an ideal stance. But, because of its brief entrance and rear bumpers, its experience peak has little impact on its capability to clear even steep driveways.

Nonetheless, the constructive impacts of its new {hardware} are extra than simply visible. Its Fox suspension and upgraded sway bars enable this five-decade-old muscle automotive to really feel surprisingly secure within the bends, with physique roll stored to a minimal. Baer disk brakes on all 4 corners present wonderful stopping energy, whereas its steering provides loads of suggestions. Then, there’s the sound it makes. Though its twin pipes could also be singing a music produced by a brand new Coyote V8, Velocity’s customized exhaust system permits this new powerplant to retain a decidedly low tone, deep, and bassy growl with an old-school really feel.

There’s extra excellent news when you step inside. Firstly, you sit behind a tasteful chrome and wood steering wheel wanting over a touch, which, regardless of that includes fashionable facilities, appears solely marginally totally different than it did from the brand new. Its gauges, for instance, make the most of tiny digital shows with their analog readouts remaining the central focus. The identical will be stated of its upgraded A/C system and radio, which regardless of utilizing small screens, are flanked by chrome trim and huge tactile knobs. One in every of this Mustang’s biggest achievements is efficiently including fashionable performance with out detracting from this automotive’s classic vibe.

Below its hood lives a Gen Three Coyote V8, a contemporary Mustang powerplant. Its 460 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque output really feel substantial, particularly when it’s pushing round a automotive that, in inventory type, tipped the scales at round 3,000 kilos. Complemented by a quick-shifting 10-speed automated transmission, it’ll ship a burst of acceleration that’s held fixed because the gearbox works by way of its many speeds. This can be a 1968 Ford Mustang, however because of its new coronary heart, its acceleration is spectacular in 2024. 

Nonetheless, the flip facet to its explosive efficiency is that the engine and transmission tuning don’t appear to align exterior wide-open throttle conditions. Pulling away easily is a problem, and utilizing greater than a heavy breath on the accelerator ends in undesirable jerking at decrease speeds because it jumps off the road. Settle right into a cruise, and its 10-speed turns into surprisingly sluggish, endlessly attempting to find gears in quest of pointless effectivity beneficial properties. And whereas Velocity provides a six-speed handbook possibility, the auto’s out-of-the-box software program wants severe transforming. 

An identical mismatch is felt on the suspension entrance, too. Whereas its Fox coilovers shine on a twisty street, they battle elsewhere. Its agency suspension struggles to absorb street imperfections at sluggish, puttering round town-speeds. As an alternative, it channels them by way of the chassis and into the cabin, leading to pointless roughness and a bouncy experience. 

This setup finds its groove cruising at round 50 mph, the place it settles. Nonetheless, stepping as much as 65 mph and past reintroduces extreme vibrations and sufficient roughness for its home windows to shake. Paired with a entrance finish that wants fixed steering inputs to trace straight, its driving expertise doesn’t encourage a lot confidence. 

There’s a lot to love about this 1968 Ford Mustang by Velocity Restorations. It’s gorgeous, its paint and trim high quality are improbable, and its fashionable inside updates have been tastefully utilized. Sitting parked exterior of a espresso store on a Sunday morning, it invitations you to romanticize your life with its classic flare, and insert your self in the midst of a made-up film. 

The daydreaming stops while you hit the street, and its tough experience, unrefined powertrain, and rattling home windows jerk you again to actual life. This isn’t the sort of automotive whose price ticket will be seen solely by way of the lens of worth. It’s, in any case, only a very giant toy. Nonetheless, given how a lot the resto-modding trade has grown and what number of gamers have entered the area, the parents who should purchase a $300,000 Mustang for the vibes have extra choices than ever. And in its present state, I’m not satisfied that is the one to go for.