What started as a simple conversation of what car to build to represent the shop in 2007 ended up going way beyond what that conversation normally generates every year. This project was slated all because of a Muscle Mustangs article about the fastest street car in America which had all three categories under its belt…crazy horsepower for a street car, good looks for car show dates, and 1/4 mile drag times that made a statement. The bench mark to beat in hp was 897 and and still maintain driveability. This is why we chose a turbo & NOS combo so that sick power could be made and then when not squirting the laughing gas or creating crazy cylinder pressure the car could be somewhat docile. 6 weeks worth of hard work took a brand new triple black convertible Mustang GT and knocked the Muscle Mustangs fastest car out of the park. There was no short cuts taken on this car…there was no budget all because people said it couldn’t be done. Working closely with top manufacturers in the industry allowed this project and dream to come alive. The result was a stroked 3v motor with lots of prototype parts, twin 67mm ball bearing turbos, a custom intake manifold plumbed for direct port nitrous capable of delivering over 500hp itself, a custom prototype 6spd transmission (another thing people said could not be done) with special gear sets to handle all the torque about to be handed to the tires, a custom built 9″ with 40 spline axles, a complete upgraded fuel system that could supply more fuel than the motor could ever digest topped off with suspension and chassis work to keep the convertible from twisting like a pretzel. All of this had to beat the original goal of 1000hp set before beginning the build. Then came upgraded brakes, custom 3 piece wheels and a complete body kit that was aggressive yet stylish. Top that off with a color change to Tangerine with white stripes made this piece of art stand out in a crowd. And stand out it did….1243 rwhp and when cruising the car was capable of over 25mpg on the highway thanks to the boost controller and an unparalleled custom tune that made this car as fun on the street as a car with half its horsepower. Typically with cars capable of generating this kind of insane power are usually not very streetable and are far more work than fun to drive. that is why people never cruise these cars they just take them to a show and park them. Not with this car…it has been all over Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and up and down the coast of California from San Fransisco to Laguna Beach and out to Oakhurst. Setting a new benchmark for the performance world wasn’t easy or cheap, but as always, FTK pulled though with flying colors!
Ray McClelland 