All that and its an automatic.  What a waste.

A351w fits a flat hood just fine. That car just doesn’t look right to me for some reason.

Rudi wrote:

TKOPerformance wrote:

All that and its an automatic.  What a waste.

 
You are not giving much consideration to the owner who is 78 yo.
Who knows what physical restrictions he has to require an automatic.
I personally know that there is no way I could handle a manual like I used to in the past.

Well, as grandad used to say: "Getting old is terrible, but it beats the alternative."  I'm finding he was a wise man.  Maybe one day I'll no longer be able to do the things I used to, but I'm not there yet.  I do feel for those who are.

I take two issues with this car being an auto.  First, its billed as a pro touring car, which means a canyon carver, which is incompatible with an automatic.  Sorry, race cars have manual transmissions for a reason.

Second, where there's a will there's a way.  There are A LOT of options today for a manual transmission that isn't an old clutch on the floor, shifter on the hump setup.  Yes, such setups are expensive, but consider the money in this car.  IMO if the owner wanted a proper transmission he had the financial means to make it happen.  I'm not a fan of paddle shifters, BUT if its paddle shift or an auto I choose paddle shift 6 days a week and twice on Sunday. 

I'm reminded of a story about an old NHRA racer who was in a wreck and got hurt to where he couldn't move the shifter of is 4 speed forward anymore.  A lot of guys would give up or switch to an auto.  Instead, this guy had his crew put the trans in first, and rigged up a setup that pulled the shifter into 3rd if he let go of it.  He could shift 2nd and 4th on his own.  How did he do?  Well, Jerry Hemingson went on to found Jerico Racing Transmissions, pretty much the gold standard in racing manual transmissions.  Where there's a will, there's a way. 

John Ha wrote:

BobE wrote:

This Mustang has several of the modifications that have been the topics in recent posts.
Probably could have bought several new Mustangs for this must have cost to build.
https://www.motortrend.com/features/1966-ford-mustang-convertible-pro-touring-351-windsor-engine/?eml=organic%3Aeml%3Abrz%3A20240502%3A1966-ford-%3Aarticle%3Anwsltr%3Aowcst%3Amt&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mtod_newsletter

I don't think that can even be considered a classic Mustang any more.  There's really nothing left of the original car other than a few body panels. 

I gotta agree with that.  My buddy had a door car (tube chassis race car) at one point that was a '92 Firebird.  About as much of that car had once been a '92 Firebird as of this car had been a '66 Mustang. 
 

There are a lot of aspects of the car to like. Yes, it's more of a custom than a Mustang, that's true. The stance, the Ford in a Ford (have you seen that one all out "Mustang based" custom with the LS in it? Oy) the front valence, the overall fitment. Sure the seats, the hood the mirror are all odd choices. But, give the guy credit, he took a 66 convertible and built a wild custom that he drives. 

On the subject of automatic, I have a 360hp sedan that has a 6 speed auto in it. It has a full manual option and it provides a solid "driver's car" type experience. It's not a terrible option. 

To each his own.  The transition away from drivers cars is why I have no interest in newer vehicles.  Electronic nannies everywhere, pig heavy, WAY too much technology.  I remember years ago when some designer was asked why Porsches didn't have cup holders and he was puzzled by the question.  Of course, now Porsches have cup holders as they caved to market demand, and even started building SUVs for God's sake.  There was something to be said for doing one thing, and doing it very, very well.  Now its just another case study in how the love of money is indeed the root of all evil. 

One of the last real driver's cars (maybe THE last) is my '02 WRX.  3,000lbs, 300HP (227 stock I've got some bolt ons and tuning), 5 speed manual, a simple yet highly effective AWD system, a right pedal still connected to the throttle body, great brakes (with some aftermarket parts), and it handles like a slot car (better sway bars, everything else is stock).  I was die hard American muscle growing up.  Swore I'd never own a Japanese car (I now own two).  One test drive on a twisty back road changed my mind forever.  They got that car really, really right.  I've spanked a lot of guys in far more expensive and powerful cars with it, and all that is done on a 205 tire.  218k miles and I'd go drive it to Florida or Maine right now without so much as checking the oil.  Oh, and 22MPG around town and 35 on the highway running 80MPH. 
 

Yes,…. I’m still catching up on threads……
 
I like the car. I bet the subframe and suspension system they used kept the motor high in the chassis driving the need for the scoop. The scoop does seem a little off somehow. I think it looks better from the front than the side. Maybe if they would have blended it back into the hood in the rear like a Shelby scoop.
 
I see no fault for the automatic. Shifting gears is fun…. It was a lot more fun in my teens and 20’s. With 570 HP and no means of traction control, I would want both hands on the wheel for corner carving and let the car shift itself. It says it has a full manual mode….. it may be difficult to hit the plus or minus button to change gears in the heat of the moment.
 
The extra bells and whistles on new cars should save us from ourselves at some point especially with above average horsepower ratings if they are not disabled. How many idiots wrecked new cars leaving the dealerships prior to traction control? Some of them do a good job of dumbing down the driver like a parking assist.