5.2L Aluminator-Powered 1966 Ford Mustang Up For Auction

While the first-generation Ford Mustang has always been a popular vehicle among collectors and enthusiasts alike, we continue to see more and more restomodded examples of the original pony car, too. These builds make a lot of sense given the fact that they combine timeless style with modern mechanicals and creature comforts, oftentimes with performance that far exceeds what was available in the ’60s, too. That’s certainly true of this 1966 Ford Mustang, which has bee treated to all kinds of updates in every area.

This 1966 Ford Mustang restomod is up for auction at Bring a Trailer after it was originally built by Ron Jones Garage of Windsor, Colorado, for the Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge in 2021. It’s an extensively modified piece, starting on the outside, where one will find custom fender flares, front and rear valances, a front spoiler, bullet-style side mirrors, a hood scoop, a shaved rear fuel filler, and Brittany Blue Metallic paint, coupled with 18-inch Billet Specialties wheels wrapped with BFGoodrich tires.

Peek inside the cabin, and one will find aftermarket black leather bucket seats fitted with Simpson harnesses, a roll cage, an aftermarket shifter, custom switch gear, a Wilwood brake bias adjustment knob, Classic Instruments Velocity instrumentation, a three-spoke aftermarket steering wheel, and a rear seat delete.

Under the hood lies something extra special, too – Ford’s 5.2L Aluminator 52XS V8 crate engine, which features a Cobra jet intake manifold with a 65mm dual-bore throttle body, a CVF Racing pulley system, a custom intake, and dual Spal electric fans. It sends power to the rear wheels via a Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission and a 9-inch rear end with 4.56 gears.

As one might imagine given this extensive list of parts, the suspension of this classic Ford Mustang has also been upgraded with a Heidts independent setup at both ends, along with Wilwood drilled and slotted rotors, adjustable coilovers, and EPAS Performance electric power steering – making for one cool package, we’d say.