Edmunds CarPool

Vehicle:  1966 Ford Mustang Coupe
Trim Level/Options: 289-c.i. V8 2bbl, automatic transmission, standard interior
Current Edmunds TMV: $ N/A
Modifications: Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 4bbl carburetor, Pertronix electronic ignition, 'tri-y' headers, four-speed manual transmission, 15x6 American Racing Torq-Thrusts, Shelby-style racing front bumper, GT350-style hood, non-functional rear brake scoops, GT rear valance, stupid paint job.
Other Currently Owned Vehicles: 2002 Mazda Protege5
Previous Vehicles Owned: 1986 Saab 900S, 1994 Pontiac Trans Am

So about two years ago, in one of the most impulsive and stupid things I've ever done, I bought a 1966 Mustang. Mine, as you can clearly see, is a coupe or, as the cool kids call it, a notchback.

Having probably lived its whole life in Southern California, it's relatively free of rust and seems to have escaped the last 40 years without getting slammed into (too hard), cut up, driven into the ground or just left to die under some tree. Instead, this car, under the stewardship of its last owner, has received a four-speed manual transmission from a 1968 Mercury Cougar and all of the modifications listed above. The only modifications I take exception to are the non-functional rear brake scoops and that stupid paint job. If there's one thing I hate more than a red car, it's a red car with white stripes.

I should mention that the steering is completely shot. Ever seen one of those old movies where the guy driving the car saws unrealistically at the wheel of the car while he's driving? Yeah, I found out that's not too unrealistic. The steering box is toast and I'm sure the linkage (no rack and pinion here!) is just as worn out. It also has drum brakes. Four of them. So it'll stop, just not now... or now. Or now.

It also runs hot after 20 minutes. The manual transmission's shift linkage jams up and won't let me down shift from fourth into third gear. The tires are mismatched. The electric choke is busted and it won't hold a cold idle. The speedometer doesn't work and neither does the voltmeter. There's no tachometer and the parking brake doesn't seem to work. It has no seat belts and it's managed to spray fuel all over my garage. Twice.

I could go on, but I think you get the idea: some of it is busted and needs a little work.

So what's my plan? Do I restore the car to showroom condition? Do I turn it into a billet pro-touring street machine? Drop in a 5.0-liter V8 and some cup holders and cruise from car show to car show? Nope, none of the above. I want to build myself a 1966 SCCA A/S Mustang and drive it on the street.

The A/S is an abbreviation for A Sedan, which was a class created by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) in 1966; it led to the creation of the SCCA's original Trans Am series. Because the class was based on European FIA Group 2 rules, Ford thought it would be in its best interest to build some cars capable of winning both in this country and in Europe. The company turned to Carroll Shelby, who had already had success building the famous GT 350 and GT 350-R (for racing) Mustangs.

But there was a catch: the 'Sedan' in A Sedan meant that the fastback body style used in the GT 350 could not be run in this class. Ford would need to run its notchback, and it'd need some cars built immediately. Carroll Shelby bought the cars from Ford and built what were essentially GT 350 R-models in the notchback body.

He only built around twenty, and after about a year, the cars were outclassed and quickly faded from memory. But I want to recreate one. There's not much separating a 1966 A/S Mustang from a street car but a roll cage and some minor suspension and engine bits. Oh, and side exit exhaust pipes, which I will have.

So follow along and see what happens as I transform this 46-year-old Ford into my idea of a cool Mustang. And one more thing, I've got a deadline. I've promised to drive this car from Santa Monica to Laguna Seca for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion on August 14th 2010.

Kurt Niebuhr, Photo Editor