Corruptt Mustang – A Thoroughbred in a Stable Full of Pony’s
When we stopped by to take some under construction images of the Corruptt Mustang back in the spring of 2018, the car was a shell of itself, literally. Tony Arme, the CEO of American Legends Hot Rods and Muscle Cars out of Phoenix, AZ had the vision, the talent, the car, and the engine but would he have the time to finish one of the craziest engine swaps we have ever seen in time for SEMA?
For those not in the know, here’s a refresher course. Tony has owned this very 68′ Mustang for almost 15 years now. One of the first mods ever done to this car was a 2.5″ chop of the roof. In preparing the Corruptt Mustang for SEMA, Arme kept the front flush-mounted windshield at its factory angle but laid down the rear with flush-mounted glass. Other body alterations consisted of shaving the emblems, door handles, cowl vent and moldings. Acrylic is used in the doors which are now vent free.
In keeping with the fabrication theme, an “Eleanor” front bumper piece was heavily massaged with 3D-printed air intakes to work with the Eleanor style side skirt. The skirts flow into the widened wheel well openings and rear quarter extensions which are flush with the molded custom rear bumper. The reclining rear decklid spoiler was handcrafted out of steel on an English wheel. Significant modifications to say the least!
Tony already had a full RideTech air suspension consisting of their “Shockwaves” underneath the body which features a mirror-like custom mixed BASF Glasurit paint. The unique color compliments the 18″ Avant Garde F461 wheels wrapped in Toyo R888R tires. Stopping power consists of Wilwood brakes with the Corruptt logo painted on the School Bus-Yellow calipers.
Inside the cockpit, you’ll find more customization and hand fabricated parts. One of the many things you’ll notice is the carbon fiber overlay on the floor. No carpet here. Bolted to the carbon floor are 1966 Mustang seats with Schroth belts to help hold you down. A rear seat delete was made to house two Odyssey batteries. Dakota Digital custom made the bezel and gauges while the American Legends crew designed the pod it sits in. Everything is controlled through an IPAD including the power windows, locks, air suspension, as well as heat and A/C.
The Creme De La Creme of this build however lies underneath the stock 67/68 Mustang GT hood. An LS swap, Coyote motor or even a 2JZ couldn’t hold a candle to the Ferrari 4.3 liter F136 from a F430 that Tony brilliantly conceived. A Ferrari California intake manifold was sourced so that he could locate the 92MM throttle bodies in the correct position for this front-engine application.
Dual Nelson Racing T-4 turbochargers were added for some, shall we say added horsepower. A MS3Pro ECU is used to manage this custom transformation. A Tremec T6 transmission was chosen for its strength and durability but Tony chose a S1 Sequential Shifter to makes shifts a little quicker than a standard H-pattern would allow.
This build was Tony’s “side project.” While it was happening on nights and weekends, his shop was full of other customer builds because let’s face it, that’s what pays the bills and keeps the lights on. It was a challenge well worth it and well received as Tony and the crew were awarded by Toyo Tires with their SEMA Top Build “Best Car” award. Tony does plan to drive and show this car for 2019 so keep an eye out for it and if the hood is up, run, don’t walk to see how seamless the engine swap is!
