Modern Rodding FEATURE
InTheGarageMedia.com
By Brian Brennan
Photography by NOTSTOCK PHOTOGRAPHY
The Perfect Car at the Perfect Time
The Ford Mustang Proved to be in the Right Place at the Right Time
W

hen you have a ’66 Ford Mustang convertible in your family for as long as you can remember, you never part with it. But you do make changes to ensure it will last another generation. Buddy Biever of Pennsylvania was gifted his father’s Mustang back in the ’90s. It was a special car for Buddy, as he had learned how to drive stick shift in it.

'66 Ford Mustang convertible
In the day, it was a three-speed ragtop with a red and black interior and a black drop-top. It was during the ’80s that it underwent some alterations, but when Buddy’s father died he thought it was time to redo the Mustang drop-top. This time, he upgraded it to something Dad would have liked and that represented their love of dirt track modifieds.

We think that Dad would most assuredly be pleased with the result. The final look was developed from a get-together with Ryan Korek of Korek Designs, also out of Pennsylvania. As with any hot rod it’s what’s under the hood that counts and that’s where we begin. The Blue Oval sports a BluePrint Engines Ford 347-inch small-block V-8 that features an iron block, BPE aluminum heads, and a Holley Terminator EFI that supports 415 hp and lb-ft of torque. The satin black finish can be seen on the Korek Designs custom air cleaner, as well as the finned valve covers. The ignition system comprises a PerTronix distributor and coil, Ford Racing plug wires, and a Powermaster alternator. Next up, the exhaust system is based on shorty headers with 2-1/2-inch pipe and a pair of MagnaFlow mufflers, all dialed in at Korek. Cooling the potent V-8 is a Stewart water pump based on a Vintage Air Front Runner serpentine belt system and Maradyne dual electric fans.

close up engine of a '66 Ford Mustang convertible
close up of a '66 Ford Mustang convertible wheel
view of '66 Ford Mustang convertible trunk space
From here, the small-block Ford is bolted to a TREMEC TKO-600 five-speed gearbox with Fifth gear 0.64 overdrive and a healthy 2.87 First gear ideal for stoplight acceleration. A Bowler Transmission shifter runs the TKO at its own pace. Moving the ponies rearward, the TKO-600 utilizes a Ram clutch and flywheel that links to a Moser Ford 9-inch equipped with 3.90 gears and 31-spline axles.

Positioning the rearend is a Rod & Custom Motorsports triangulated four-bar setup utilizing QA1 coilovers, a 1-inch sway bar, and equipped with Wilwood four-piston disc brakes. The front suspension is based on a Fatman Fabrications kit with coilover shocks, a 1-1/8-inch sway bar, and a rack-and-pinion steering. Wilwood disc brakes are also found in front. Tying the front and rear suspension together are subframe connectors. These subframe connectors are ideal for cars such as early Mustangs as they strengthen the body rigidity by greatly increasing the unibody chassis. The rotating stock consists of Boyd wheels measuring 19×9 and 18×7 with Hankook rubber: 285/35ZR19 and 225/40ZR18.

exterior driver view of '66 Ford Mustang convertible
The ’66 Ford Mustang convertible sheetmetal is mostly in stock form, but there are a few styling cues that take place. The center of the hood was raised and widened while the door locks were shaved (handles remain) and the bumpers were tucked. (A common touch to nearly all steel bumper cars as it immediately enhances the nose and tail appearance.) To accommodate the wide rubber, 2-1/2-inch mini-tubs were installed at Korek. All the sheetmetal modifications and bodywork were performed at Korek Designs while Ryan Korek himself sprayed on the PPG gray custom mix.
exterior rear view of '66 Ford Mustang convertible
Inside the drop-top, the factory dash is wrapped in black leather with parallel red stitching. The factory gauges were replaced with a set of Dakota Digital custom gauges painted to match the car, and the owner’s artwork was included on the Speedo/Tach combo gauge. The steering column is an adjustable model from ididit. The stock bench seat was massaged and then covered in black leather, and, once again, a set of parallel red stitching was used around the outside of the seat back. The factory rear seating was reupholstered in black leather utilizing a pair of factory lap belts. The carpeting was redone in back while the door and kick panels were covered in black leather, and the door panels also feature perforated inserts. R. P. Interiors aptly handled all the stitchwork.
driver and passenger seat view of '66 Ford Mustang convertible
close up tire view of '66 Ford Mustang convertible
If you’re wondering about the “BRB114” on the rocker panel, so were we. Once again it’s about the backstory. There are three generations of Biever sons who all have the same initials: BRB. The number 114 would normally reside on the side of their dirt-modified racer, which had been around for years and was a very successful team, having had a number of top drivers over the years. This became a means to remember the entire family, including Grandpa and their racing heritage. Now you know more of the story. Buddy tells us he can hear his dad now, “I can’t believe what you did to my car,” and smiling from ear to ear.
Modern Rodding
VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 45 • 2024
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