At first glance, this car looks like any other 1966 Mustang with Shelbyesque stripes. But look a little closer at the roofline and you’ll see a Mustang like no other! This unusually modified pony car comes to us courtesy of a tip from Barn Finds reader Ian C. and is listed for sale here on craigslist in Silverlake, California. The seller is asking a steep $15,900 for this unique car and has included a lot of details in the listing to justify it. Let’s take a closer look!
I searched unsuccessfully for quite a while to find another Mustang like this one. Obviously a conversion, it’s not the same as the Mustang station wagons seen here or the Hobo top conversion for convertibles. I’m sure the hatch started out fitted to another car, but I can’t quite place it — if you can, please let us know in the comments. The seller states that there was over $15,000 spent on the conversion and that it includes a glass panoramic roof. The rear seat is removable.
From this angle, apart from the huge blind spot due to no rear side window, the lines aren’t that bad to me. I’m not fond of the front 3/4 view but on the other hand, show me another one like it! This shot shows how much natural light gets into the interior through the glass roof and hatchback and it certainly makes the interior look different.
The seller states that the interior includes a new dash pad, new armrests, and new sun visors. I would rather see original-style upholstery than what’s there but that’s certainly not hard to find.
The engine compartment really surprised me when I saw the turbo. Unfortunately, it’s not hooked up to this engine; it was to the car’s previous inline-six, but apparently, the custom exhaust manifold was damaged when that engine gave up the ghost. This engine has been rebuilt and was originally from a 1968 Falcon. The C4 automatic transmission has also been rebuilt. The seller goes into a lot of detail in the ad listing about issues with the parking brake and the park setting on the transmission; suffice it to say I’d be fixing those issues before driving the car very often! So, readers, what do you think? Would you rather have this one-off than a standard 1966 Mustang coupe?
Looks like a modern moonroof spliced in. Looks a bit awkward!
A better view of the hatch might help identify it, sunroof “looks” like an older Mercedes C class sport coupe. personally I don’t think that it all works as the builder had pictured in his mind.
The panoramic roof and glass were obviously spliced in from a newer, much rounder car…while an interesting idea, the actual combination is really awkward looking, Just look at how the top of the Mustang side window line matches with the curvature of the new roof (or doesn’t match, in this instance.)
The huge blind spots aren’t helping, either—if the builder had kept the coupe side windows it would have reduced visual weight from this car’s profile.
is it odd that there aren’t any pics of the “unique”aspect of this car(I.e. the back end) with the hatch closed? Is it possible it’s too ugly to show them. It you went to all the trouble to pull this off don’t you think you’d want to highlight it in the pics rather than show everything but that. No straight on shot of the rear with the hatch closed seems suspect
Its a rare bird 🦅 left untold
A six cylinder should blow the hatch right?
All that work and a six banger with a slushbox? WTH?
I like it, any fastback better than a coupe. I bet that turbo gets that 6 banger really flying. I got a 200 6 in y 69 fastback w posi 3.25 gears, header, & a borg werner [shelby]4 spd & it flys in fast lane over Donner pass [6900′] all day. It’s a nice highway car.& handles in turns great!
No thanks.
One has to wonder how the structural integrity will hold up over time.
Steve R
That was exactly my thought. The original unmolested car wasn’t exactly known for its rigidity when “the going got rough”
Hack at the roof like this and yikes…
Created by someone whose technical skills far exceeded his aesthetic skills. Starting with a fastback or modifying the roof to accept the arched fastback door glass would have been well worth the effort. I respect the vision and the technical skills, but the final product is too awkward for my tastes.
…has the profile of a streamlined refrigerator.
Hey, look at the bright side, this Frigidaire has a Turbo.
I would have to consult the Magic 8 Ball on this one.
Not a single shot of the rear with the hatch closed. One would think, since that is the basis of its uniqueness, that the rear would be featured prominently…
Prefer more car, less description.
(Who would go through the challenge of fitting the roof then not fix the hood beak before paint?)
it looks odd without the quarter windows, if i had it probably put then back in, and id change the drive train, either a 351W or a 390, maybe even a cobra jet.
Interesting to note that the wheels change in the pictures.
Nope!
All that work and they didn’t fix the leaky cowl.
Saw this listing weeks or months ago. Wasn’t going to honor it by sending it to Barn Finds. Part it out!
Perhaps the fugliest Mustang in the world…not that they needed help in that department anyway, in this era.
Silly….that’s it!!
If he wanted a hatchback, he should have bought a Pinto. This thing is a mess!
Let’s face it. It’s ugly ! Definitely needs the side windows. The front quartering picture days it all ! The dude might want he’s money back out of it but it’s not happening. Many mods are done for your own preference. They are rarely money makers. He should have went thru the trouble of hooking the turbo back up. Stuck with original style seats. Hatchback cool but he lost the strength when he cut up the roof ! One of the worst mods I’ve seen on here. 🤮
Looking at the craigslist photos I noticed aluminum mags on the right side and the aftermarket hubcaps on the left. The front valence has seen better days as well. Looks like Walmart slip covers on the front seats. Drivers door has been dented at front from being opened past the stops. Car seems to sit low in back due to all the extra weight from the conversion. Good idea, but ended up looking strange. Maybe builder can create a reasonably priced kit to convert a coupe into a restomod fastback, leaving the quarter window.
Needs more lipstick.
The answer to the question nobody asked.
why
Another Turdbuffer Special! Looks like a Mustang and a ’66 Barracuda had a baby.
Well I’m going to go a little off topic but you’ll see where I’m going …
Years ago, I got my first “A” class bass guitar, a 75′ Precision. Back then it was only $500, a lot of money and it was only a couple years old. Of course not being happy with it I modded it to the max, it sounded amazing, but not Stock … All these years later that bass would be worth 10X that had it NOT been modified.
That being said, MAYBE someone out there will see the value in those mods … Regrettably that poor old Stang is going to be hard pressed to find a home for that money. Like my old P bass, why didn’t we just leave it alone =l …….
Well the answer to that, we never thought we’d see the rise of “collectables”
Mmmmmm, ‘75 P-Bass (in that Homer Simpson eyeing up a donut voice)
yes, sad but true … wish I would have left that thing alone.
Wow!! It has a Edelbrock performance air filter!! That changes everything.
I’m getting to the point of buying my last cruiser. I originally planned a 56 Nomad, but $60k and more won’t pass wife’s smell test. When I see bizarre combos bringing absurd money, I am being forced to adopt the PT, Prowler, Thunderbird mentality. I guess an XKR or a Coyote Mustang are not a bad compromise. But this should never have one more dollar put into the pot. I do not mean to insult the owner, it is just my opinion. And my better half reminds me of it’s lack of value daily.
Practice social distancing.
As they say in Texas, El Passo
Another one of those . . Just because you can …
Needs some J.C. Whitney stick-on quarter panel louvers for those sail panels.
Nope just nope
This is the exact origin of the phrase “Hold my beer.”
Dave Peterson’s “I do not mean to insult the owner…” should be a mantra followed by commentors here. Offer your opinions, but recognize that we all have different tastes. Either that, or post pics of your wives/partners and let us comment on their attributes.
We all have different tastes, but I think we can all agree. This thing is just plain ugly. And its ugly goes right down to the bone. Look at all the mish-mash mentioned in its description! I think there are high school mechanics students who could do a better job with this poor abused and molested Mustang.
People often paint a car “bright white” to hide imperfections. Looking at the photo of the hatch area, and the driver’s “A” post, I see lots of overspray. Look at the 2 hatch lift supports, they have overspray on both, at both ends, they didn’t even remove them before painting the car.
i do not care this person is trying to get his money back as i learned long ago you chop up a good car you will never get your money back and thing of the bondo or fiber glass over the years no thank you i pass this is stupid if you want some ones head aces be my guess i pass
oh boy !
sorry, Like it. As a ‘wagon man’ a hatch on sedans/coups is a good idea to me. Plenty ideas on “how to do it right” here…
Hada pontiac w/1 (1971/7 gen), a datsun, fiat, etc…
Fastback windows curve down at the top towards the rear and have very rounded rear corners. This car shows why that is so important. Seller obviously thinks the rear view is pretty ugly because they refused to show one photo of it from the rear with the hatch closed. Eyesore six banger.
Yes, this began as a notchback sedan. Where it goes from here….