Words: Tommy Parry
Blending the best of old and new, Mark set off ambitiously to implant a modern Ford powertrain into one of the prettiest of muscle car bodies. What’s better, this build wouldn’t be a meat-and-potatoes Coyote swap; he also decided to go down the complicated route of forced induction.
The first order of business was adding an IFS Coyote crossmember, Hydroboost and Bullitt-style pedals — just enough to set the stage for the powerplant swap. The sight of a gleaming Coyote in his garage, topped off with a Whipple supercharger, was enough motivation to continue busting knuckles in the cold Pennsylvanian winter.
Not only does he have strong taste in cars, but his wife seems to be supportive of his hobby as well – so much so that she surprised him with a collection of choice parts to push the build forward! She has taste as well, selecting a Ridetech 4-link, a Coyote control pack, pulleys, an AAW wiring kit, an Aeromotive stealth tank and a set of beautiful big brakes from Wilwood.
Once had the front end cleaned, powercoated and retrofitted with the new Rod & Custom Motorsports front clip and QA1 coilovers, he set the powerplant in its new home. The transmission, a Tremec T45 built by Hanlon Performance, was easily bolted in and fitted with a Centerforce Dual Friction clutch – a stout engine/gearbox combination, and one that, with any luck, should bring him a reliable 650 horsepower.
The first few ancillary/tuning items included making the Heat Exchanger brackets, installing the oil catch can, installing the new rear end pinion yoke, finishing the transmission crossmember and fitting his custom Aluminum driveshaft. Then, he mocked up a set of 18X11” rear wheels to best harness the power available. They fit without any issues and gave his car the athletic stance he was after.
Next came a Mishimoto radiator to keep the blown motor cool in the cramped conditions, as well as a set of fenders. It was then that it dawned on Mark the supercharger would prevent the hood from closing completely, so he started searching the pages for a raised hood with greater clearance.
With the powertrain largely sorted out, he turned his attentions to the interior, where he added a collection of tasteful Auto Meter gauges and a wood-rimmed Cobra wheel. Understated yet focused, this cabin deserves an award just for the restraint it shows.
There’s still plenty to do with this Fastback, and Mark doesn’t seem to be slowing down. With the intention of competing in autocross, the chassis still needs to be sorted before it’s met his lofty standards. However, it’s doubtful this machine, once it’s completed, will be anything but stellar where cornering, response and traction make the difference. For more information on this eye-catching build, you can follow Mark’s progress here.
