Skip advert
Advertisement

1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 given 986bhp twin-turbocharged V8

A pair of turbochargers and a modern Coyote V8 turn this ’69 Ford Mustang into a near four-figure quarter-mile hero 

Shoehorning a pair of turbochargers under the bonnet of a muscle car isn’t an awfully rare sight, with the likes of Fathouse Performance tuning even the track-oriented, flat-plane crank GT350 to levels usually reserved for small-scale hypercar makers. What’s less common, though, is doing the same to a model from over half a century ago.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Assembled by Oklahoma-based Classic Recreations, the ‘Hitman’ build began with an original 1969 Mustang Mach 1 body, which was painstakingly restored to factory condition by the coachbuilder. Normality ends there, as the powertrain was next on the agenda.

> Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 tuned to over 1000bhp with twin turbochargers 

Out went the original 286bhp, 290lb ft small block V8, and in went the 5-litre Coyote V8, a modern unit first seen in the 2011 Mustang, various other Ford products, and the one destined for the new TVR Griffith. Though respectable power can be extracted without forced induction, no custom-built muscle car would be complete without snails.

A pair of liquid-cooled Garrett turbochargers push the Coyote to just shy of 1000bhp, and to help turn that power into speed is the very latest ECU technology, for optimum traction and efficiency. Sending power to the 315-section rear Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres is a six-speed Tremec manual gearbox.

Though a twin-turbocharged, 986bhp Mustang is never going to handle like a Caterham, power steering, modern coilover suspension and Total Control anti-roll bars have been implemented front and rear, aiming to provide more desirable handling characteristics. To help bring the Mach 1 back down to sane speeds are six-piston Wilwood brakes, sitting behind 18-inch lightweight wheels on all four corners.

Custom turbo manifolds, uprated MagnaFlow mufflers and the unmistakable sound of turbochargers might give the game away, but aside from the sound, this Mustang could be mistaken for almost any other restored classic. Its two-tone grey and black paint job, OEM-style front and rear spoilers and Mach 1 badging all pay homage to the original. 

> Police-spec Dodge Charger given 1500bhp, widebody kit and AWD 

Straying a little further from standard is the (cosmetic) roll bar, pair of five-point harnesses, upgraded gauges and new speaker system, though a period-correct wooden steering wheel and gearlever keep things in check. 

No pricing information has been provided, but given the apparent polish of the build, and ability to specify almost anything one could think of, we can’t imagine Classic Recreations’ offerings come cheap.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Used Ford Mustang (S550, 2015 - 2023) review – Ford’s V8 muscle car for £20k
Ford Mustang (S550) front
In-depth reviews

Used Ford Mustang (S550, 2015 - 2023) review – Ford’s V8 muscle car for £20k

The S550 appeared ten years ago as a more sophisticated kind of Mustang, in right-hand drive and with the job of tempting European sports car buyers. …
23 Apr 2025
Shelby GT350 returns with 810bhp supercharged V8
2025 Shelby Mustang GT350 front
News

Shelby GT350 returns with 810bhp supercharged V8

Where the last Mustang GT350 was a Ford Performance model using the name under licence, this is a 'proper' Shelby – a tuned Mustang with 810bhp
24 Jan 2025
Ford Mustang Dark Horse 2025 review – the last of a dying breed
Ford Mustang Dark Horse – front
Reviews

Ford Mustang Dark Horse 2025 review – the last of a dying breed

The Mustang fights on with a naturally aspirated V8, manual gearbox and a track-focused Dark Horse variant. We put it through its paces
13 Jan 2025
Ford Mustang Dark Horse on the Route Napoléon – the greatest driving road in Europe?
Ford Mustang Dark Horse – front
Features

Ford Mustang Dark Horse on the Route Napoléon – the greatest driving road in Europe?

Ford’s new Mustang Dark Horse has impressed us so far, but how will this American muscle car fare on one of Europe’s most spectacular driving roads?
29 Dec 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses
Ford Focus ST Mk3
Features

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses

We’d hoped the 2015 Focus ST would share a good dose of its little brother’s magic. Sadly, it didn’t
28 Apr 2025
The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever
Ferrari 296 Speciale – front
News

The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever

The 296 Speciale is the latest in Ferrari's line of mid-engined road racers, packing 868bhp and LaFerrari-beating pace on track
29 Apr 2025
Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 2025 review – the ultimate analogue hypercar
GMA T.50 front
Reviews

Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 2025 review – the ultimate analogue hypercar

The GMA T.50 is the car we thought would never come: Gordon Murray's sequel to the ultimate hypercar, the McLaren F1
26 Apr 2025