Vehicle Description
Every race car has a story to tell...
In 1997, well known and respected North California road racer, Luc
Noel, commissioned a "new" build race car to compete in the SCCA
Trans AM series there. His unique choice for the project, a white
1969 Mustang convertible which he had purchased new, and had been
his daily driver for many years.
Enter the builder, Elliot Franklin, both friend and fellow Ford
devotee. His performance shop, Mustang Corral, is in Grass Valley
CA. Elliot's skills for developing powerful, agile, bulletproof and
beautiful Mustangs are now recounted nationwide. Obviously bitten
by the same bug as Luc, Elliot built his own '66 Mustang coupe
alongside the '69, and the duo would go on to test and race them
together for 7 years. They became regulars at Laguna Seca, Sears
Point, Thunderhill, and ButtonWillow in Trans AM, Vintage, and ARC
events.
Elliot recently shared a particular and excite event by phone (some
paraphrasing for context) ....
Luc and I arrived at Laguna Seca for a scheduled open track day to
further dial in the cars. We were stopped at the gate and told that
the track was rented for the day by the California Porsche and BMW
racing clubs. Less than happy with that news, we were then kindly
invited by the clubs to run with them, and firmly implied we stay
out of their way.
Well, for the full day, those 2 old Mustangs piled up continuous
emphatic passes, as well some bruised "German" egos, yet all in
good sport. One by one, they would casually approach our cars in
the pits, then quickly drop to see our "trick race chassis". All
got up quickly, comically scratching their heads at the stock Ford
frames. We left with new friends, but ones never wanting to see our
backsides again.
A vintage SCCA racing competitor also made note of Luc's '69
convertible ....
Luc used to own this car, and I had the distinct displeasure of
having my doors blown off at Laguna Seca in one of the SCCA vintage
races ;-) and I am not slow around that track! The car handles
amazing and it is a rocket.
Back to the build. It is told the Mustang Corral transformation was
done at a cost of nearly $100k, and a big chunk of that in her
heart. A select small block Ford, was opened to 420ci, combined
with NASCAR intake and carburation, to flex 625hp with 500# torque.
Has all required SCCA Saftey equipment. SCCA ready (SCCA Log Book
back to 1997) Has a great Vintage / Euro look to it. This car is
not just an "open-track" car-This car ran 1:40's at Laguna Seca
(old track) and 1:50 at Sears point!
Highlights:
Build Total over $100k
Non-Original 420ci Small Block Ford V8
Holley 830cfm Carb
625 hp Reported Output
Jerico Top-Loader 4-Speed Manual
Tilton Engineering 3-Plate Clutch
Truetrac Posi Rear-End
4-Wheel Disc Brakes, Wilwood Calipers
SCCA Competion-Ready
Roll Cage, Fuel Cell, Halon Tire Suppression
17" Wheels, Hoosier Racing Tires
Full Gauge Package, Race Timing System
SCCA Log Book
Check our website for all photos and video. Car comes with a clean
Michigan title. Thank you for looking.
