The Ford Mustang: one of the most iconic cars of the last century.  It’s a car that not only helped pioneer the pony car, it achieved something many of its peers never did: international fame. You can go anywhere in the world with a car culture, and people will know the Mustang. The same probably couldn’t be said of an AMC Javelin, or a Chevelle. Whether this is more due to the Mustang’s numerous appearances in films, TV, and other media, or the car’s high sales figures is not obvious. What is obvious is that this fame shows no sign of disappearing. Countless Mustang restomods are made every year. They’re a mixed bag aesthetically and mechanically: sometimes they get it horrendously wrong, others nail it. In this article, we’re going to stay positive, and look at the former. These are five Mustang restomods that were done exactly right.

The Blue Beauty

I talked about this car in one of the first articles I wrote here at Restomods, but its still one of my favorites. The car was built by Tim and George Palazzolo from Houston’s GAP Racing. It’s done right because, well, it’s been changed dramatically, while retaining its original charm. This isn’t a simple engine drop, or a change in bodystyle. Pretty much every aspect of the car has been somehow improved. The ’69 Mustang has seen its quarter panels widened, and the trunk lid, rear bumpers, and fender extensions replaced with carbon fiber. The brakelights have been replaced with ones that have been 3D printed. All of this has then been covered in an amazing custom blue.

The interior is completely stitchless, A/C has been fitted, and a magnetic ride system now controls its suspension. Then there’s the engine. It’s a 572ci Jon Kaase Boss Nine, outputting 900 horsepower. Any one of these upgrades would have made it a cooler car. All of them combined? That leads to an amazing, thoroughly modern restomod.