The vintage vehicle restoration and modification industry has boomed over the last decade, with more builders constantly popping up with their unique takes on iconic models. My introduction to this world happened a few months ago behind the wheel of the Velocity Restorations Ford Bronco, a Coyote V8-powered off-roader that could’ve been tailor-made to explore the Pacific Coast Highway.
Now it’s time for round two, this time with Velocity’s 1968 Ford Mustang, a $315,400 fully restored vintage muscle car equipped with the same naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 as its Bronco sibling, a 10-speed automatic and a tastefully modernized cabin. While my time behind the wheel was brief, the few minutes I got left me wanting more.
Although this Ford Mustang retains its ’60s aesthetic, it has been thoroughly updated. Whereas it left the factory with unibody construction, Velocity upgrades it with a new Mustang Spec chassis courtesy of Roaster Shop. The new frame allows for greater room in the engine bay, along with upgraded suspension geometry. Velocity adds FOX coilovers on all four corners, 11-inch Baer four-piston disk brakes up front, 17-inch wheels, and wider Continental Extreme Contact Sport O2 tires to improve its handling.
While I can’t tell you how these upgrades affect the driving experience on a twisty back road, I can speak on how well it cruises on a gloomy morning through 17-Mile Drive in Monterey, CA. It’s as you’d expect, given its substantial upgrades, unlike a vintage muscle car. It’s comfortable but planted and remains stable even as you push its 460-hp engine without excessive squatting from the rear end. Although I only got a taste, my first impression was positive.
For the most part, its exterior looks relatively unchanged from new until you dig into the details. Its hood, for example, sports twin vents, while its head and tail lights have been updated with LEDs. This car features Neptune Blue exterior paint with plenty of chrome accents throughout, all brand-new as part of its recent restoration.
The visuals have been executed quite tastefully, and although Velocity offers plenty of options for this platform, I appreciate how original this Signature Series car looks. To bystanders, it seems like a pristine 60s Mustang rather than something extensively reworked and upgraded, preserving its iconic shape.
Like its exterior, this Mustang’s reworked cabin looks pretty original. That is despite it featuring upgraded materials, Procar bucket seats, and a Dakota gauge cluster. For entertainment, there’s a retro-style head unit, which carries a similar aesthetic as the rest of the interior, something I wish Velocity’s Bronco also featured instead of a more modern Alpine unit.
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A Signature Series Ford Mustang Fastback like this one starts at $299,900, while this test car and its optional extras cost $315,400. However, a more aggressive Street Series version is available starting at $369,900 and adds larger wheels, Recaro bucket seats, and a more aggressive suspension setup. The range-topping model also receives further interior and cosmetic upgrades.
Having spent little time driving Velocity’s Signature Series Mustang, I can’t give a decisive verdict. On the surface, it comes across just like the builders Bronco did, like a well-executed restoration that manages to preserve the car’s vintage look and feel. However, given how well it behaved during my short stint, one thing is sure: I can’t wait to drive it again.
