Ford launches ?new? ?65 Mustang

Everything old is new again ? especially when it comes to the classic 1964-1/2, ?65 and ?66 Mustangs.

Like many makers, Ford has a catalogue full of parts for those original pony cars, everything from brakes to seats. But now, it seems, you can even order all-new, factory-approved Mustang bodies rather than having to scrounge up rusted and dinged-up originals.

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?The 1964-66 Mustang is the most restored vintage vehicle,? said Dennis Mondrach, Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager. ?But the number of original 1964-66 vintage bodies is shrinking every year. Most of the original Mustangs left in scrapyards are rusted or wrecked beyond repair.?

So, for those determined to have an ?original? Mustang, Ford turned to Pennsylvania-based Dynacom International, which was given access to original technical drawings, blueprints and specifications for parts. The supplier is producing precise duplicates of the original body ? albeit with a few modifications that customers are likely to appreciate.

?The new body shell is made of virgin metal and uses modern welding techniques,? explained Mondrach. ?It comes rustproofed, and after final adjustment and finish preparation of the body panels, it is ready for painting and final assembly.?

In fact, the steel used in the new bodies is a higher grade than the original Mustang?s, according to Dynacom Vice President Jim Christina.

?We use a modern universal automotive-grade steel that is actually stronger than the original, and modern welding techniques along with more welds to strengthen the body,? he said.

The ?65 Mustang body includes virtually all of the original car?s sheet metal from the radiator support to the taillight panel, including trunk id and doors. The only thing missing are the hood and front fenders, which are sold separately.

The body kit costs $15,000 and is shipped directly to a customer.

The kit can be transformed into anything from the original ?64-1/2 Mustang ? which was introduced by one-time Ford President Lee Iacocca at the New York World?s Fair ? to a ?66, depending on the powertrain and trim parts.

Someone purchasing the body shell simply has to transfer the engine and transmission, electric systems and other parts from a beyond-repair original Mustang ? or they can order just about all the replacement parts to build an ?original? pony car from the ground up from Ford?s restoration catalogue, at fordrestorationparts.com.

Meanwhile, the maker also has body shells for the 1967-68 and fastback 1969-70 Mustangs available.

Ford will debut the new ?65 body shell at this week?s SEMA Show, the annual aftermarket extravaganza in Las Vegas.

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Ford gets another upgrade
Cash-starved Saab purchased by Chinese

Copyright 2011 The Detroit Bureau. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45102253/ns/business-autos/

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