In the genre of Jurassic Park, bringing old cars back to life is the life mission of Jason Engle, owner of Classic Recreations in Yukon, OK. Despite hitting some speed bumps earlier this year, the company is looking forward to 2011 and recently showed off this GT500CR Mustang – what one might call the definitive restomod car.
The company starts with an original 1967 or 1968 Mustang Fastback and performs a complete restoration, including media blasting, any needed sheet metal replacement, along with show-grade paint and bodywork. Each Shelby G.T.500CR will be listed in the Shelby Worlwide Registry.
When this GT500CR rolls out the doors ready for shipping, it sports a component list that demands respect from even the most ardent enthusiast. The 427-cid (7.0 liter) crate engine pushes its 545 horsepower through a Tremec manual transmission and through a 9-inch Fab-9 PosiTraction read end, equipped with 3.70 gears. Adding BBK longtube ceramic headers, a dual 2.5″ exhaust system with Magnaflow mufflers lends the requisite “old school” sound to the car.
Backing up this kind of power, chassis mods start with coilover conversions for both the front and rear suspension, in addition to oversized sway bars at both ends. The whoa in this horsey comes courtesy of Shelby/Baer 13″ Track System brakes in front and the 12″ Touring System setup at the rear. A staggered wheel set looks after getting all that power to the ground, with 17 x 8-inch Shelby 427 Wheels in front and 17 x 9.5-inch versions in the rear. The car’s high performance tires are similarly set up, having 245/45ZR17 versions at the sharp end with 275/40ZR17 meats out back.
“The G.T.500CR is meant to be driven,” Classic Recreations founder Jason Engel said. “Although the overall look is vintage Shelby, essentially this is modern sports car technology wrapped in vintage Shelby GT500 sheet metal.”
There’s no doubt about that, as the GT500CR will turn heads wherever it goes. The cars exterior and interior modifications are on par with the chassis and powertrain setup. More information is available at the Classic Recreations web site.