Few vehicles command the respect of the 1967 Mustang GT Fastback. Its aggressive stance, timeless design, and powerful performance features make it a coveted icon in the collector car world. Combining classic American engineering with iconic style, Mustang restoration is both a passion project and a mechanical endeavor. From its widened track and sculpted body to the deep-set grille and dual hood scoops, the 1967 Mustang GT Fastback represents the pinnacle of Mustang design. It embodies Ford’s bold response to the muscle car era, delivering power and presence. Classic car restoration revives this legacy, ensuring its enduring appeal.
Before You Begin: Planning Your Restoration
Defining Your Restoration Goals
Before starting your Mustang restoration, clarify your objectives. Do you aim for a showroom-quality 1967 Mustang GT Fastback restored to factory specifications, a restomod blending classic style with modern performance features, or a daily driver with subtle upgrades? Budgeting is critical, with costs ranging from $40,000 to over $150,000, depending on the car’s condition and project scope. Expect classic car restoration to take 1 to 3 years, based on expertise, parts availability, and weekly hours. A vision board with photos, specs, and inspirational builds can guide decisions and maintain focus throughout your Mustang restoration journey.
Finding the Right Candidate for Restoration
Selecting a Solid Base Vehicle
Choosing the right 1967 Mustang GT Fastback is critical for Mustang restoration. Seek a vehicle with minimal rust in key areas like floor pans, shock towers, rear frame rails, and rocker panels. Verify authenticity beyond badging by checking the VIN, engine codes, and factory documentation to confirm it’s a genuine GT, not a clone. Original GTs featured power front disc brakes, dual exhaust with chrome quad tips, fog lamps in the grille, and a GT-specific handling package. For classic car restoration, ensuring these performance features are present preserves the vehicle’s historical value.
Teardown and Assessment: The Foundation of a Great Build
Systematic Disassembly and Evaluation
A thorough teardown is essential for Mustang restoration. Label and catalog every part, and photograph components and wiring to simplify reassembly. Assess which parts are salvageable, need reconditioning, or require replacement. During this phase, you may uncover hidden rust, past repairs, or frame misalignment, so update your budget and parts plan accordingly. A clean, organized workspace is crucial for efficient classic car restoration of the 1967 Mustang GT Fastback.
Restoring the Chassis and Frame
Ensuring Structural Integrity
Begin Mustang restoration by media blasting the chassis to bare metal, exposing hidden damage or corrosion. Straighten and reinforce the frame as needed to ensure structural integrity. Apply rust inhibitors and epoxy primers for long-term protection. For a Revology Cars-inspired 1967 Mustang GT Fastback, consider boxed frame reinforcements, subframe connectors, and torque boxes to enhance rigidity and handling while preserving classic aesthetics.
Suspension and Handling Upgrades
Balancing Authenticity and Performance
For Mustang restoration, decide between stock suspension or modern upgrades like coilovers or independent rear suspension. Revology Cars-inspired 1967 Mustang GT Fastback restorations often use progressive-rate springs, adjustable shocks, and reinforced sway bars for superior nghèo. OEM components maintain authenticity, while upgrades like tubular control arms and Panhard bars enhance cornering and ride quality. Balance originality and performance features for a pro-level classic car restoration.
Engine Restoration and Performance Tuning
Rebuilding for Power and Reliability
Whether restoring the 289 or 390 V8, aim for a balanced, blueprinted engine in your Mustang restoration. Mild camshaft upgrades, ported heads, and electronic ignition boost performance features and reliability. Modern cooling systems, like aluminum radiators and high-flow water pumps, improve heat management. Revology Cars’ Coyote-powered 1967 Mustang GT Fastback shows the potential of modern engines, but subtle upgrades like roller rockers or an enhanced carburetor maintain vintage charm in classic car restoration.
Transmission and Drivetrain Optimization
Enhancing Drivability
For Mustang restoration, the original 4-speed Toploader or C4 3-speed automatic ensures authenticity. However, many opt for a 5-speed Tremec or overdrive automatic for improved drivability in the 1967 Mustang GT Fastback. Rebuild or upgrade the rear differential to a limited-slip unit for better traction. Ensure proper driveshaft angles and u-joint compatibility to prevent vibrations. A 3.25:1 rear axle ratio balances acceleration and cruising efficiency, ideal for classic car restoration.
Braking and Steering Systems: Safety First
Upgrading for Safety and Precision
Safety is paramount in Mustang restoration. Retain or upgrade the 1967 Mustang GT Fastback’s front disc brakes with modern power-assisted systems. Add a brake booster and dual master cylinder for reliability. Rack-and-pinion steering enhances precision while preserving classic feel. Modern brake kits with larger rotors and calipers reduce fade, ensuring a confident classic car restoration that balances performance features and safety.
Bodywork and Paint: Bringing the Exterior Back to Life
Achieving a Flawless Finish
For Mustang restoration, perfect panel alignment and body gaps are essential. Replace corroded sections with high-quality reproduction panels. Choose factory colors like Nightmist Blue or Candyapple Red, using modern basecoat/clearcoat systems for depth and durability. A ceramic coating ensures lasting shine. Restore or source period-correct badging, trim, and GT-specific elements like the gas cap and rear valance to maintain authenticity in your 1967 Mustang GT Fastback classic car restoration.
Interior Restoration: Vintage Feel, Modern Comfort
Blending Classic and Modern
Mustang restoration requires a balanced interior approach. Use authentic upholstery patterns for the 1967 Mustang GT Fastback, but consider enhancements like seat heaters or hidden Bluetooth audio. Revology Cars-style interiors feature custom leather and retro-styled gauges, blending authenticity with modern function. Rebuild seat frames and springs before reupholstering, and add discreet sound insulation for comfort, ensuring a premium classic car restoration.
Glass, Trim, and Weatherstripping
Ensuring a Tight Seal
In Mustang restoration, sourcing OEM glass for the 1967 Mustang GT Fastback is challenging, but quality reproductions are available. Replace all weatherstripping to prevent leaks and reduce noise. Restore or replace chrome and stainless trim, polishing to a mirror finish. Verify door and window alignment to ensure smooth operation, critical for a professional classic car restoration.
Wheels and Tires: Function Meets Style
Choosing the Right Wheels and Tires
For Mustang restoration, restoring Styled Steel wheels preserves the 1967 Mustang GT Fastback’s authenticity, while alloy replicas reduce weight and enhance handling. Period-correct redline tires offer vintage style, but modern radials improve performance features and safety. Ensure wheel offset and diameter suit the car’s stance without clearance issues, a key aspect of classic car restoration.
Final Assembly and Quality Checks
Methodical Reassembly and Testing
Reassembly in Mustang restoration demands precision. Torque bolts to specification, route wiring neatly, and verify fluid levels. Conduct a shakedown test to detect rattles or leaks, and fine-tune the carburetor or fuel injection for optimal performance features. Test all systems, from HVAC to lights, under real conditions to ensure a flawless 1967 Mustang GT Fastback classic car restoration.
The Modern Twist: Revology-Style Restomods
Integrating Modern Technology
Revology Cars transforms the 1967 Mustang GT Fastback with modern performance features like digital gauges, power windows, and advanced climate systems, preserving its iconic identity. Pro builders can adopt similar enhancements, such as sound-deadening insulation, and high-output alternators, to future-proof their Mustang. This approach blends heritage and innovation, creating a standout classic car reimagining.
Restoring the Legend, Driving the Dream
Reviving an Automotive Icon
Restoring a 1967 Mustang GT Fastback is a tribute to American muscle and personal craftsmanship. Whether pursuing OEM authenticity or a Revology Cars-inspired restomod, Mustang restoration offers challenges and rewards. This classic car restoration preserves the legacy of a golden era, creating a vehicle that ignites passion and embodies history.