LAKE POINSET, S.D. – Back in 2014, Brian Smith purchased a Vintage Burgandy 1965 Mustang six-cylinder fastback with the intentions of transforming it into his idea of the ultimate “street-ified” classic Mustang pony car.
“Since the previous owner had already converted the 2+2 over to a 289, I decided to tear out the antiquated four-lug suspension and address that first,” explained the Lake Poinset, South Dakota Mustanger.

Front suspension upgrades consisted of the installation of a set of Classic Performance Parts tubular upper and lower front control arms using a pair of Koni adjustable coil-over shocks. The front disc brake spindles are from a 1965 Mustang V-8 and were set up to interface with pair of 1994 Ford Explorer front disc brakes. Also along for the ride, 17-inch Foose billet-aluminum wheels and BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp-Z high performance radial tires.

Smith replaced the antiquated seven-inch Salisbury rear end with a 3.73:1-geared Ford eight-inch Traction Lok setup equipped with Driveline Specialties rear axles riding on CPP rear leaf springs, again with Koni adjustable oil-over rear shocks. Rear braking comes from a pair of ’94 Ford Explorer rear disc brakes, which are once again bolted up to a set of 17-inch Foose billet-aluminum wheels riding on a pair of G-Force BFG’s.

“With the suspension competed, I pulled out the 289 and built up a new 347 small-block using an 5.0L stroker kit and an Edelbrock Performer RPM engine kit (Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum alloy cylinder heads, an Edelbrock Air Gap 4V intake and Edelbrock cam and installation kit.) Induction comes from a Snow Performance/FITECH electronic EFI throttle body and a Paxton Novi supercharger (with unique Paxton “Power Hat” air cleaner) producing 6 psi. Lastly, the ignition is MSD while an Edelbrock high-performance aluminum water pump and Be Cool three-core-aluminum radiator, cooling fan and transmission cooler handle engine and transmission cooling duties. A set of MAC four-tube headers and Flowmaster mufflers handle the exhaust. Backing it all up is a JE Automotive C4 automatic.

So much for the “steak” -- now for the “sizzle.” Much of the fastback’s overall physical transformation was handled through the incorporation of Shelby-style GT350 fiberglass body panels (hood, lower front apron and rear deck spoiler) all supplied by CJ Pony Parts.

“With the exception of a small rust patch right above the driver’s door pillar right at the roofline, the rest of the body was in excellent condition,” Smith said. “I primed and sanded the body twice prior to spraying on eight coats of black, followed with the application of two gallons of Plasti-Dip clear. Then I taped-off the pattern that I wanted and sprayed on multiple coats of Burnt Copper Pearl Plasti Dip. Lastly, I clear-coated the entire car.”

Finish details include the distinctive “347” fender graphics and “supercharged” badges. Those Halogen LED headlights (which change colors,) are from Two Guys / CJ Pony Parts, while United Pacific Industries, Inc / CJ Pony Parts supplied the LED tail lights, LED turn signal and running lights.

When it came to the inside, Smith retained the stock black carpeting and headliner which was in good condition. Brian installed a pair of NRIG Innovations bucket seats from Car ID in the front (with SPARCO Safety harnesses) and retained the stock 2+2 rear seat -- albeit in the permanent fold-down position. Also on board is a Custom Auto Sound head unit along with Rockford Fosgate 12-inch sub woofers and Amps -- the latter of which are located in the trunk.

Would you believe all this was done in one year’s time by Brian himself in a converted single-stall tractor shed? True story!

“I started working on the car the day I got back from the 2018 Sturgis Mustang Rally, and I debuted the fastback the following year -- and won my class” he recalled. “I went to a total of 12 car shows that first year -- and won all of them. After winning the 12 shows, I figured that was more than enough, and I’ve been enjoying just driving the car ever since!”

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY BOB McCLURG