The listing for this 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback has ended (here on eBay) but it’s highly interesting and worth sharing for conversation’s sake. Some years ago I might have called this car “ruined,” and I’m glad my view has broadened. Straight-axle drag cars generally hold limited attraction, but they preserve a slice of drag-racing history. I’ve never seen a Mustang done this way, but you’ll find hundreds of restored 1967s, making this car worth preserving. Located in East Haddam, Connecticut, the “Buy It Now” price of $29,500 might have proved daunting for a narrow cross-section of buyers looking for a historic drag-only Mustang.
First off, if anyone says the word “Eleanor,” I’m coming after you. The seller planned to sort this beast out mechanically and enjoy it as it sits. I admire that approach, but not to the extent of $29,500. The high-rise shackles provide room for larger diameter drag tires (larger diameter = less wheel spin) and the evil stance that every high-school punk craves. The seller describes a largely solid car wearing the original Beige Mist paint under white primer. Rubbing away subsequent (usually inferior) resprays to reveal the original color can disclose the car’s history, authentic albeit imperfect.
Is that the “Tobacco” interior? The Cougar XR7 dashboard is a nice touch, adding a touch of gentlemanly class to, uh… compliment the straight-axle and butchered shock towers? I’d be tempted to simply tidy up the loose wires, replace the bare minimum cosmetic parts, and add a giant ’70s-correct tachometer.
This ‘Stang once featured a screaming 427 “Cammer” that went on to power another car. This late-’60s engine, a professionally built 390, snoozed along with the car, and never fired a spark. A fascinating Winters Clutch C6 automatic utilizes a clutch for launch and automatic gear changes for the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. This and the crude tube axle render a low probability of tossing the keys and saying “Here, Mom, just take my car.” I couldn’t buy this as my only Mustang, but someday thirteen perfect factory ’67 Mustangs will show up at a Show-n-Shine and someone will say “Wow; I wonder what happened to that solid axle drag Mustang?” What do you have to say about this highly modified Pony car?
Another modded & hot rodded classic car! No thanks
I will say it, Eleanor. If you want to make great money build an Eleanor. They have consistently brought over 120K at Barrett Jackson. I do not know why, but they do.
Ya, but if you build an Eleanor, you can park it in line with everybody else’s, and it can get ignored with the countless “Bell Airs” and “SS” 69 Camaro’s that everyone has, that all look the same.
It definitely would be conversation piece, especially if you put Cammer back in it. Then again AFAIKT that wasn’t original either so it’s pretty much a blank slate for whoever bought it. It would be interesting to see it once they’re finished with it.
I am one of those in that tiny cross section of the automotive hobby, the vintage drag racing enthusiasts. I would have that thing back in a late 60’s style paint (unless the original paint scheme was known, in which case that’s what it would get). late 60’s top of the line racing wheels (Cragar, A.R., etc.), M&H Racemaster slicks on the back, skinnies up front, and do what ever awful PITA safety stuff it takes to get it on a strip today, and run the wheels off of it.
we don’t need another restored mustang, we all already know what they look like stock.
Gavin, I’m with you in digging vintage drag racing, although I remember when this stuff was actually new. I’m the track announcer at the local drag strip (Meremere Dragway) and often talk about both US and NZ history of the sport, most of it, first-hand.
86 Vette’s idea of putting the Cammer back in is a good’n (holy Connie Kalitta!) for some extra flavour, bring the safety equipment up to scratch and go racing!
The ad reads like the car was a stalled project that was never finished. I’d be surprised if it isn’t built as a pro-Touring car and the vintage performance parts were sold off. The clean body is the cars selling point.
Steve R
It might be a fun father son project as a 60’s race car flashback but not at that price.
Gosh! Parked since ’74, tyres still hold air and the engine looks brand new!
Junk, but good parts junk. Nice interior from what I can see. Nicely painted interior, good trim the rest looks like junk. strip it and tow the carcass to the nearest wrecking yard.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that 67-68 Mustangs were thought of about as much as the 71-73 models. Everybody wanted 65-66 or 69-70 models. I’m not sure when these cars took off, but man I missed the boat on them. My daughter really wanted a 67 or 68 fastback when she was in high school, she settled for a Saturn coupe, & later a 4th gen Camaro. She is now 32, & drives a Malibu but she still wants that Mustang. I now realize she was ahead of the curve on this & that I should have been more open to the idea.
Around the year 2000, when the remake of gone in 60 seconds was released. At that point it wasn’t just the guys wanting to build Bullet clones, but also Elenor clones that started driving the market.
Steve R