Words: Tommy Parry
We've featured some strange machines on this site, but this is one of the odder combinations of engine and chassis anyone’s brewed up - while still remaining enviably cool. It’s still in its fledgling state, but has so much potential that anyone with a love for cars will have to take a peek.
The combination of classic American lines with a wailing English V12 does seem to work for whatever reason - like a cheeseburger made with London Broil, a slice of Stilton cheese and a dollop of horseradish. OK - nix the horseradish.
A ‘66 Mustang Coupe started as the base for this unique build, and the propulsion comes courtesy of a Aston Martin V12 with fewer than 2,000 miles on it. Factory headers and a custom tune with a Megasquirt MS3 ought to provide somewhere around 550 horsepower and a tidal wave of torque. Though these motors hit the market with 400-odd horsepower, Aston left a lot of oomph on the table, so to speak.
As if that start wasn’t ambitious enough, Eric went in and turned that Coupe into a Fastback with Dynacorn side assemblies, as well as rear fenders, the tailight panel and the structural assembly behind the back seat from CJ Pony.
To help create a nimble car, as well as administer the incredible power and torque from that V12, he installed a 2015 Mustang’s independent rear suspension in place of the solid rear axle. That’s not all - Detroit Speed mini tubs and frame rail kit further help, and the axles, refurbished by the Driveshaft Shop, fit neatly within the narrowed subframe.
Some of the sloppiness from the rubber differential mounts is mitigated by poly bushings in their place. New tubes welded into the subframe and connectors erected between the subframe and the fastback should add the rigidity needed to put an estimated 550+ horses to the pavement cleanly.
To live up to his standards of handling - Eric’s former car was a Lotus Seven replica, after all - he installed a modified Mustang II front suspension. As he’s quite experienced tinkering on front suspensions, he lengthened the arms and extended the ball joints to maximize the control arm angles and the roll center. Currently, a set of Wilwood 12.19” brakes adorn either side of the Thunderbird steering, and eventually the rear will receive the same treatment.
Up front, he tweaked the radiator support to accommodate the massive twelve-cylinder, making the support a bolt-on and standing further forward to provide the necessary space. A ‘68-’69 big block radiator and fan kit from Northern, which employs 12” Spal fans, keeps the massive motor cool.
With the Maier bodywork in place, a coat of black paint and some CPC Shelby Ten Spoke wheels mounted, and some tasty Aston leather seats in place, the former collection of odd parts was beginning to look like an actual car - and a stylish one at that. Give it time - those seats will soon be covered in black and red hide for a sinister appearance.
Those classic lines, the screaming motor, the wave of torque and the odd mixup of parts will make it a standout and a dream for most - even the purists who feel uneasy seeing a foreign V12 thrown into a bay made for a domestic V8. It’s a wonderful combination, and anyone with a drip of racing fuel in their veins ought to follow this original build.