Losing a family member is a painful experience, but one which leaves us only one option: find a way to keep going. When Robert's brother in law passed away, he had been working on a '65 Mustang restomod project that was left incomplete, so Robert decided to finish the build in his honor. The result, as documented by YouTube channel AutotopiaLA, is this stunning 427ci V8-powered car with cantilever suspension and a long list of one-of-a-kind components.
Carrying On the Legacy
Above: When Robert's brother-in-law passed, his car was just a rolling shell surrounded by roughly 15 boxes of parts. Everyone knew it would be an uphill battle to complete his track-ready vision for it.
Job number one was to build a suitable powertrain for the Mustang shell. Robert took the 351ci Windsor V8 and had it bored and stroked out to 427ci. It features aluminum AFR heads, a hydraulic roller cam, Harland Sharp rockers, and multi-port fuel injection. This engine, which produces over 500hp to the wheels, was paired with an AODE automatic transmission and a Mark Williams 9-inch rear end with 4.10 gears.
Another unique aspect of this '65 Mustang is its cantilever suspension. Rather than placing the shocks upright, they're offset at an angle and operated by pushrods, allowing for smaller inboard shocks and better weight distribution. This setup is supported by a custom rollcage that also produces incredible chassis rigidity for razor-sharp handling.
Six-piston Wilwood brakes with 16-inch front rotors and 14-inch rears give the car the stopping power you'd expect from a track-ready vehicle. The 17-inch wheels are clad in 225 front and 315 rear tires to maintain grip despite the potent torque of the 427ci V8.
The body was painted a custom-mixed version of Ford's Deep Impact Blue with more black and pearl incorporated. The factory front bumper was replaced with a fiberglass bumper with integrated brake cooling ducts. Satin black accents on the rear bumper, hood, and tail panel provide visual contrast.
Speaking of the tail panel, you'll notice there's no fuel cap there. It's relocated to the quarter panel, where it feeds a fuel cell in front of the rear axle. A cap on the opposite fender serves as the access point to add oil to the car's dry sump oil system.
This '65 Mustang turned out truly unique, and we're sure that as an autocross enthusiast, Robert's brother-in-law would have loved it. It's great to see it back on the road and staying in the family. Check out the full AutotopiaLA video below for more details:
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