Vehicle Description
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<font size ="4">No-expense-spared Mustang Mach 1 "restomod"
by Canepa
Original Cobra Jet 428 upgraded to 490 horsepower and 517lb/ft of
torque
Tremec 5-speed manual transmission, modern-era suspension and brake
systems installed
Vintage Air A/C system, upgraded cooling system, interior
sound/heat insulation
A true "one-of-one" Mach 1 build with modern performance and
vintage looks
"The most rewarding Mustang Mach 1 to drive, period." - Bruce
Canepa
"Never meet your heroes" is likely something you'll hear as you
search for your pedestal-sitting automobile. You've held it in such
high regard for so long that when you first drive it you may end up
being underwhelmed or, even worse, disappointed. However, the
evolution of the restomod has completely changed that phrase and
what it means to enjoy a vintage car, and nothing personifies this
more than this Mach 1. Mega power, modern suspension, modern
comfort amenities, and of course old-school sex appeal all apply
here with a no-expense-spared build of this 1969 Ford Mustang Mach
1.
Finding an original rust-free Mach 1 Cobra Jet is sometimes a
lifetime search for some, and this Mustang had something special in
store for it. A previous owner wanted the perfect pony car and
found this example, a numbers-matching example that had received a
$100,000 rotisserie restoration. He drove the car for the very
first time and it was immediately apparent that he had gotten used
to modern car performance. In modern terms, driving a stock Mach
1's performance does not hold up due to major deficiencies in the
brake and suspension department, trying to keep up with the 335
horsepower, big block 428 Cobra Jet engine. After a few more drives
and thinking about what to do, in 2007 he brought the car to Canepa
and from there the Mustang would become the ultimate Mach 1 Cobra
Jet "restomod."
The project spanned the course of three years, an on-going project
with additions constantly being made. Bruce Canepa quickly
understood and knew what to do: make the Mach 1 outperform modern
cars, keeping it as stock-looking as possible, without making any
permanent changes that couldn't be returned to stock if desired.
Three main areas were addressed to upgrade the Mach 1: engine and
transmission, suspension and brakes, and comfort amenities.
The build process began by removing the stock suspension, brakes,
steering, and drivetrain. Canepa Motorsport's racing mechanics
evaluated and determined what would be done to have the car perform
to the highest level, all while remaining streetable and
comfortable.
Before the car was taken apart Bruce had a vision for the Mach 1.
It would be lowered 1" and be fitted with 17" Torque Thrust wheels
that accepted modern high-performance tires. The suspension
received a set of Maier racing springs, custom-valved Koni
adjustable shock absorbers, larger sway bars, Maier reinforced
front control arms, shock tower brace, polyurethane bushings, and
custom built 17" Torque Thrust wheels with high performance
Bridgestone tires. The brakes were completely upgraded with a set
of Baer 6-piston Pro+13 disc brakes front and rear connected to all
new brake lines. Steering was upgraded with Unisteer's power rack
and pinion kit, with a subframe cradle to reduce front end flex
under heavy loads during cornering and braking. Once all the
suspension and steering modifications were completed, it was corner
weighted and aligned by Canepa Motorsport racing technicians.
The heart of the Mach 1 is the prodigious 428 Cobra Jet engine,
barely fitting underneath the bodywork evident by the factory
Shaker hood. Bruce wanted more out of the engine, freeing up
horsepower that modern technology now could deliver. The engine was
stripped down, blueprinted, and the big block was rebuilt to 465
cubic inches, yielding an astounding 490 horsepower and 517lb/ft of
torque. The engine received new Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum
cylinder heads, forged crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, piston
pins and locks, piston rings, main bearings, connecting rod
bearings, camshaft bearings, timing chain, Comp camshaft, and valve
lifters. Routing the power to the rear wheels was a new Tremec TKO
600 Road Race 5-speed transmission with a lightweight flywheel and
a dual friction Centerforce clutch. A new custom driveshaft mated
to a new 9" Ford Tru-Trac limited slip differential. The car still
breathes through its original shaker hood, with a custom set of FRP
headers and ceramic coated, custom mandrel bent 3" exhaust system
with Magnaflow mufflers.
No system was overlooked, from keeping the upgraded engine cool
with a Griffen high capacity radiator with a Moroso coolant
expansion tank, to keeping the driver cool with a new Vintage Air
Generation IV air conditioning system. The charging system was
rebuilt with a Powermaster 140 amp 1-wire alternator. The stock
heater was restored with a new heater core. All of the instruments
were pulled from the car and rebuilt, as were all the window
winding mechanisms. Even the headlights were upgraded with a set of
European Cibie H1 and H4 headlights.
While the car was being mechanically upgraded, the entire interior
was removed and the body's interior was lined with sound deadener
and heat insulation, creating a cabin that is both comfortable and
stock looking in appearance.
In person the car is remarkable to behold. With a quick glance it
looks relatively stock, but upon closer inspection you begin to
realize how special this car is. Other than the lowered stance and
bigger wheels and tires, most people would have no idea what this
53-year old pony car can unleash. With over $185,000 spent on
upgrading and perfecting this Mustang, there is certainly no other
Mach 1 like this.
After the owner thoroughly enjoyed his new pony car, he sold the
car to Canepa to buy other cars for his collection. In April of
2014 the most recent owner purchased the car after wanting a muscle
car that performed like a modern car. Fitting the bill perfectly,
he kept the Mach 1 for over 5 years. He drove it just over 4,000
miles during his ownership, taking it out for spirited drives in
the backroads of Sonoma, California. Upon returning to Canepa, it
looks as if it had never left. The restored finishes from the
rotisserie restoration are still in excellent condition, the
interior has the same old-school charm, all while the upgrades
making this a must-have Mustang. The car was thoroughly cleaned
inside and out, the black paint polished with only foam pads and
light polish, and the Mach 1 now sits ready for its next owner to
take anyone by surprise. Whether it's a stoplight drag race, Sunday
weekend backroad jaunts or coastal cruising, this under-the-radar
Ford Mustang Mach 1 will do all equally and keep the owner
grinning.
