[embed] MotorTrend's Dan Kahn called this 1965 Mustang fastback, "a
fully independent Ferrari beater wrapped in vintage tin"... As the
oldest authorized Shelby Cobra dealer in the world, we can testify
it's every bit of that, and more. This 1965 Mustang GT, fastback is
the finest 'pro-touring build we've ever seen... and we've seen a
lot of them in the past 25+ years Admittedly, that's a bold
statement. Read more to learn what backs that up. The original
build was meticulously completed in 2004 by Maeco Motorsport, at
the time located in Northridge, California. Maeco is known for
precision engineering and construction, building bodies and
chassis' for both street and racing applications. Classic Mustangs
are one of their specialties. When it was originally completed
twenty-two years ago, more than $155,000 was invested in building
the owner's dream car (over $265,000 in today's money), which
included myriad handling and performance upgrades along with
creature comforts. The most recent owner, who is a world-class
craftsman in his own right, spared no expense in taking it to the
next level, and beyond, investing an additional $160,000 to create
a pro touring rocket with performance and handling comparable to
the finest cars on the road today, all wrapped in a beautiful
Silver Smoke Gray, 1965 Mustang fastback Maeco body, de-badged to
give it a clean, minimalist look. The project started when the
original owner contacted Maeco Motorsport to build his dream luxury
race car. He wanted the option to drive it on the street
comfortably, as well as push the envelope on the back roads, at
speed. Performance and handling were at the top of the list, with
creature comforts like power rack & pinion power power windows, and
an excellent sound system close behind. Maeco started with a bone
stock, rust free, 1965 Mustang fastback and modified the unibody to
strengthen it, top and bottom. A new, all metal hood was installed
with a functional hood scoop and NACA ducts to keep air flowing
through the engine compartment at triple digit speeds. Maeco spec
torque boxes and frame rails were installed and tied to a roll cage
reinforced with carbon fiber. This was done to counteract the
body-twisting-torque of the 530 HP, 347 C. I. Ford Racing engine,
which was rebuilt in 2022, roughly 3,000 miles ago. To put that
power on the ground, Maeco installed a four-link rear end and a
Detroit Locker rear axle. Since then, the rear axle has been
changed to a more streetable Wave Track, locking, Curry 9" rear
differential using 31 spline axles. It's bulletproof. The front end
has been replaced by a Total Control coil-over system with
adjustable shocks and adjustable tie rods for bump steer correction
keeping the front-end evenly on the ground Along with the coil over
front suspension, Total Control Power rack and pinion steering
helps to keep the car predictably where you aim it, flat on the
road or track at speed, in corners and on the straights. The
unibody is all metal. No fiberglass on this one. While not
immediately noticeable, the folks at Maeco fabricated slightly
flared fenders to accommodate bigger wheels and fatter tires. It
easily turns lock-to-lock without rubbing. The body gaps are
perfect - a big improvement over the original Ford construction.
Doors open and close like a new Lexus. There are a number of
companies that build exceptional pro-touring recreations of
1965-1970 Shelby Mustangs that are priced well into six figures.
You can expect to pay $375K to more than half a million $ for one
that is properly set up for the street. This 1965 pro-touring
Mustang is ready to enjoy as a weekend show car, pushing the
envelope on the back roads, or hot laps at your favorite race
venue, all while listening to a custom Alpine car audio system
combined with the delicious sound of a powerful Ford 302R V8. In
addition to robust car audio, power windows were installed for
added creature comfort. An air conditioning system was installed,
but the previous owner removed the compressor and receiver dryer as
it wasn't needed in N. California. The rest of the components are
still installed in the car (AC/heater controls, duct work, vents,
blower plenum, etc.) and the heater/defroster works fine. The list
of equipment on this one is mind boggling... Engine is an SVO, 302R
Ford factory race block with four bolt main bearings, bored/stroked
to 347 cubic inches, balanced and blueprinted. A Ron Davis radiator
with dual electric fans keeps it cool year round. Aluminum cylinder
heads from Trick Flow are ported and polished with LS individual
coils over each spark plug. Inside the block, the reciprocating
mass includes the very best components... a balanced Scat forged
crankshaft, Carrillo rods, Diamond pistons, Erson custom grind
solid-roller camshaft with Crower stainless steel 1.6 ratio roller
rockers, XRP hoses a custom road race heated and baffled oil pan,
Edelbrock 1000 cfm electronic throttle body fuel injection with 60
LB injectors, custom 1 5/8" equal length stainless steel headers
and full stainless steel 3" exhaust. Engine dyno shows 530 HP.
Clutch is a Tilton dual disc actuated by a Tilton hydraulic
throw-out bearing inside a Quick Time steel bellhousing. The
transmission is a new Tremec TKX five speed with a custom
short-throw shifter To put all this power on the ground, it's
equipped with a custom 4" diameter carbon fiber driveshaft with
extra large u-joints, 9" Ford differential housing a Wave Track
3:50 to 1 locking rear axle surrounded by four link suspension
geometry. All four Koni shock absorbers are adjustable for
additional ground clearance if needed. It stops as well as it goes.
Four wheel Baer/Alcon Pro disc brakes with slotted rotors bring it
to a stop effortlessly. Slowing at a high speed freeway exit or
entering a hairpin turn is quick and predictably progressive. Front
brakes are equipped with functional cooling ducts originally
designed for NASCAR. The duct air intake is carbon fiber. Recently,
a new electric emergency brake system from "Stopp" was installed.
It's far superior to the stock version, and it actually works! With
the press of a button, you could almost hang it on a wall! The
Alpine surround system with a trunk mounted power amp interfaces
with Android or iPhone. All running gear: including the engine,
transmission, carbon fiber driveshaft and rear end are all new or
rebuilt within the last 3200 miles. This car runs exceptionally
well. It cruises effortlessly at 80 mph turning a comfortable 2300
rpm, and sticks to the road like it's on rails. Generous use of
carbon fiber components is evident throughout the car, including
the drive shaft air cleaner snorkel, brake cooling duct intakes,
rear wheel center caps, roll cage struts, door panels, console,
glove box door and instrument panel. The gauge cluster is all
Autometer In the trunk, you'll find a Fuel Safe fuel cell with a
fresh bladder, and a Optima AGM trunk-mounted battery, like '65
GT350's. In 2010, Dan Kahn of MotorTrend featured this car in both
online and print. Since the article was written, the car has been
further refined with state of the art performance and creature
comfort upgrades to craft a pro-touring weekend toy that is at home
on both the track and the back roads. Here's a link to the
Motortrend article: Please keep in mind that many upgrades have
been completed since it was written. There was also an article by
"Mustangs & Fords" written about his one as well. Frankly, it has
to be seen to be believed. Over $350,000 invested in the build...
and it shows. Loads of documentation come with the car. It's
available for a pre-purchase inspection by appointment and located
in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. About us... Shelby Cars...for more
information please contact the seller.
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