east bay muscle cars builds a one-of-a-kind 1968 Mustang Street Machine
Brad Brown originally picked up this 1968 Mustang as an Eleanor clone to enjoy cruising around Danville and the greater Bay Area, and maybe a jaunt or two through downtown San Francisco. After a couple years, he decided it was time to reinvent his pony car into a one-of-a-kind street machine with the talented crew at East Bay Muscle Cars leading the charge!
To build an elite-caliber modern street machine, it’s smart to start with a contemporary drivetrain and chassis. Brad selected a supercharged Edelbrock Coyote V8 capable of 785-horsepower coupled to a Bowler Performance-prepped Tremec T56 six-speed with a McLeod twin-disc clutch assembly. A Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis with an independent rear suspension provides a solid foundation, aided with electronic power steering and a set of Baer 6S calipers with 15-inch rotors behind 19- and 20-inch Forgeline center-lock SS1R wheels wrapped in Toyo tires.
The next stages of a modern muscle car masterpiece are the body and interior mods, both of which utilized modern 3D printing, composite materials, hand-formed aluminum, CNC-machining and the vision, talent and persistence to see it all come together.
On the outside, the 1968 Mustang’s fender and quarter panel wheel openings were reshaped extensively and complemented by a one-off carbon fiber nose. A fiberglass hood was formed with an aluminum frame and 3D-printed lower panel requiring modified billet hinges to produce the proper arc to clear the custom cowl. Aluminum rocker panels run from the front wheel openings and were made to be removable for access to fluid lines and wiring. Modified A-pillars conceal the weatherstrip channel, and you’ll also note the one-off billet roof vents, extended tail panel, custom spoiler, diffuser, and scores of additional mods. Harrison Customs and Compani Color are credited for the final bodywork and amazing deep burgundy Glasurit paint work.
Lightly touch the Lokar electric door handles and you’re greeted by a modern take on a ’68 Mustang interior aided by the design work of Sean Smith. Extensive CAD and 3D printing by DJ Designs tie everything together with the white and maroon leather upholstery. Amenities include Vintage Air, custom Dakota Digital instruments, an on-board Safecraft fire suppression system, and a complete entertainment system including front and rear cameras. Kudos to Current Fab for taking care of the extensive wiring.
East Bay finished the 1968 Mustang just in time to debut at last year’s SEMA show, where it scored serious accolades including a Goodguys Gold award, Glasurit’s People’s Choice, and a Top Five Roadster Shop, award followed by top Street Machine honors at the Grand National Roadster Show. Congrats to Brad and the crew of EBMC for this amazing take on a modernized Mustang!
Photos by Damon Lee and John Jackson
