'66 Mustang Trans-Mod
Chop Shop Customs owner and fabricator Lenny Neault came from a full-time career in the collision and refinishing field. He started accepting side jobs that he would work on at home after hours, but he began receiving more requests than his less-than-part-time schedule could accommodate. When strangers started asking him to do work on their cars, Neault knew something would have to change. Lucky for him his boss at the time gave him an ultimatum, and he started his business full time in 2004.
Mustang owner Tim Brown was referred to Neault from another shop that specializes in quick turnaround projects. Tim wanted a Trans-Am-style muscle car with a modern twist. Neault had been hoping to stumble on a customer who wanted to have such a car built. He was able to take Tim's guidance and use artistic freedom and run with the idea.
The '66 Mustang was initially supposed to be a relatively quick rebuild, but the project quickly grew legs and became a full rotisserie job. Like most projects-including my own Mustang-the project drew out for financial reasons, but is now on the final stretch to the finish line.
| BY THE NUMBERS |
| 1966 FORD MUSTANG |
| Timothy Brown • Woburn, MA |
| Performance: 425 hp |
| ENGINE |
| Type: |
347ci small-block Ford |
| Block: |
302 Windsor, iron |
| Rotating assembly: |
Scat crank, Wiseco |
|
pistons |
| Cylinder heads: |
Edelbrock aluminum |
|
Victor Jr. |
| Camshaft: |
COMP Cams hydraulic roller |
| Valvetrain: |
COMP rockers and lifters |
| Induction: |
Dynatech EFI |
| Ignition: |
MSD Pro Billet distributor, 6AL box |
| Cooling: |
Raceware aluminum |
| Fuel system: |
Aeroquip black fittings, sumped |
|
tank, Holley blue electric pump |
| Exhaust: |
Pypes X-pipe |
| Fasteners: |
ARP |
| DRIVETRAIN |
| Transmission/shifter: |
Tremec TKO 600 |
|
five-speed |
| Rear axle: |
Fab 9-inch, 3.50 gears, |
|
Strange axles |
| CHASSIS |
| Front suspension: |
Total Control coilovers and |
|
tubular control arms |
| Rear suspension: |
Total Control G-bar |
| Brakes: |
Willwood discs |
| BODY/PAINT |
| Body: |
Chop Shop Customs sidescoops, |
|
chrome trim, hoodscoop, shaved cowl, |
|
shaved bumper bolts, custom roll pan |
| Paint: |
Ford Taurus Burgundy Metallic |
| WHEELS/TIRES |
| Wheels: |
Billet Specialties Bonneville-G |
| Tires: |
BFG KDW |