Chi-town 65 Fastback

[riles]

I guess it's time to post about my car that's in the early stages of it's build, don't know why it took so long. It's a 65 FB Mustang that I'm hoping to have some fun in. I bought the car with a drive train that eventually was not going to work to my liking (351 cleveland, 4 spd top loader, 9" small bearing rear, all out of a 69 Mach). After purchasing items I never used and trying to build a better handling car on a budget, I came to realize it was not exactly what I wanted in the car, so I sold the drive train. I wanted a car that would handle on the corners and go fast on the straight, which is how I ended up here.

Here's what I'm going with:
- Ford 331 stroker
- D&D Performance T-56
- Strange Ford 9" rear
- Wilwood Big Brakes
- Custom built front suspension (Assisted by Dave from Gen II)
- Street or Track 3 link rear w/ Watts
- DSE wheel tubs
- Custom built SF connectors
- Custom roll bar (8pt)
- ET LT-III Wheels

Have not decided on the paint color/scheme yet, though my paint guy suggested something that represents the 60's. As you can see it's black now, which I may stay with.

Well, here's my build:

[riles]

First of the fabrication was the DSE wheel tubs and front torque boxes. The torque boxes were a 2 pc. from 67-68 Mustang, since the 65 did not come with them.

[riles]

Torque boxes.

[riles]

The T-56 would not fit to my liking , therefore had to cut the tunnel.

[riles]

Trans mount

[Spork82]

Awesome fab skills on that trans tunnel! Glad to see another Mustang on this board

[riles]

Thanks Spork82.

Here's picks of the sub-frame connectors, cross bracing and drive shaft loop. The bars were run through the frame to the torque boxes, with the frame drilled and then plug weld along the way. Everything is tied into each other so there should be minimal flex. The work was done by AVS Fabrication. Al (AVS) is a master at such an early age.
And yes, we can run a 3" exhaust through there.

[67TXStang]

The transmission tunnel, subframe connectors, and crossmembers look great. Wish I could have done that to mine.

[protasone]

Dang! That turned out sweet! Giving me some ideas ;)

[riles]

Thanks guys.

Protasone, been watching your build, very nice and cool that your son is into it. Mine, not so much, though they'll be asking to drive it when it's done. :0

Here's pics of the rollbar (1.75" chromoly tubing). Possibly a bit overkill, but I think everyone knows how these builds can get away from you. Should have NO problems with track inspections, wherever I take it.

[wfo guy]

I like what I see. Do you have an estimated date for completion?

[riles]

Hoping Aug-Sept., get a little drive time out of it.

What part of Kansas are you in , I hunt in the Sedan area every year.

[riles]

Installed the Street or Track 3link and Watts link. Took some modifying, due to the DSE wheel tub kit and lowering the car. Last pics are of the 'box' that was made, since the floor had to be cut above the 3rd link.

[riles]

More pics.

[Dave B]

Wow, that's some really nice work being done, the car is going to be amazing!

[RMMiller]

What a nice, solid car to start with!

[bikefreak600]

great work so far ! keep the updates coming. my garage is too cluttered to work in its too damn cold outside to clean it out lol.

[riles]

Thanks guys, appreciate the positive re-enforcement. Rick, I am amazed every time I dig deeper into the car how nice this car is, especially being a Midwest car its entire life.
Thanks bikefreak, next step is the motor. Sending it to Borowski racing engines for a once over and be dyno'ed. While it's there will prime all the bare metal and start on the interior. Like I said before, I almost hate to cover that trans tunnel. Weather is supposed to warm up by end of week , so no excuses.

[protasone]

Wow! Excellent engineering and fab work!! Watts link looks great! Cant wait to see the finished product!

[wfo guy]

riles, I'm in the sw. corner. We used to be covered up with hunters. The last 3 years of the drought has reduced the population to where last fall, I think I saw 3 hunters.

[manOwar]

Nice work!!

[ochohill]

Is this a track only car?

[riles]

No , it's a street car, it will have air too. I know, I may have gotten a bit carried away, my wife says that a lot. You should have seen my basement project.

[ochohill]

Please be sure your head cannot strike the roll bar in an accident. Most roll bars are started on top of the rear torque box and go through the interior quarter panel. That gives another 5-6" of room for your skull.

[riles]

I hear ya, we did all that, that's why the seat was in the photos, I wanted to make sure the measurements were done while I was seated in it and I was comfortable with the final install. We moved the 'Gurney' bar over for that reason. It looks closer than it is in the pics. When the car goes racing there will be a headrest mount attached at the harness tabs.
Thanks for looking out for my head.

[riles]

Nothing major, as I've been busy with wife projects and work, but started wiring and some plumbing (brakes and fuel). I did get my motor back from Borowski and pretty happy with the numbers. Also picked up my drive shaft, which I am REALLY happy with. Wasn't sure if I should mount it on the car or on the wall.

[Motown 454]

Wow amazing fab work on a super solid car. This build is going to be one sweet ride. I like the cross brace with the drive shaft loop. Great work.

[riles]

It's a Strange built 3" chromoly shaft with 1350 joints.

[wfo guy]

Where's easy rider? :)