This Vintage Mustang Runs Harder Than A New Hellcat
Some shops quietly restore classics. Others, like JBA Speed Shop in Kearny Mesa, California, throw gasoline on nostalgia and light a match. Inside their workshop sits a wild old Mustang—what started as a stock 1965 model has been transformed into a snarling, cage-welded, track-ready rocket. But despite the rawness, this old-school Muscle Cars still rips through corners with modern finesse.
Built in collaboration with the owner David—who handled much of the fabrication himself—this old Mustang keeps its leaf springs, original subframe, and shock towers. But just about everything else has been upgraded to race-grade hardware. Think massive brakes, stiffened suspension, and a fully built Dart 363ci small-block Ford making 540 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. Even without the glossy paint, it’s impossible to miss the presence this thing carries.
This Old Mustang Was Built To Rev, Not Relax
Crack open the hood and the intent is clear. Underneath sits a hand-assembled V8 with AFR heads, a Lunati camshaft, and a Holley carb. JBA’s in-house team dynoed it at 540 hp—plenty to send this Fastback Mustang sideways on command. Paired with a TREMEC 5-speed, a twin-disc clutch, and a full-floating 9-inch rear end, the setup isn’t just fast—it’s bulletproof. The goal? A car that’s fun, fast, and ready to punish cones at SCCA autocrosses.
It still rides on leaf springs, but with Viking shocks and a custom panhard bar, it corners far better than you’d expect. The chassis is stitch-welded for rigidity, reinforced with tubular supports and a full cage. The brakes—Kelsey Hayes-style Lincoln four-pistons—harken back to Shelby Trans Am racers. Nothing fancy here, just raw performance. The inside stays stripped too. There’s no glass in the doors, no insulation, and no apologies. The vibe is part race car, part outlaw cruiser, and all attitude.
It Might Look Vintage, But It’ll Walk Cars Twice Its Price
Despite its old Mustang roots, the car weighs under 3,000 lbs and revs past 7,000 rpm. On the street, it roars, pops, and throws heat like a furnace. During a quick road test, it easily pulled away from another JBA-built Mustang making 507 hp—proof that power isn’t everything when the balance is this good. This car might run a basic hydraulic roller setup, but it’s been dialed for gear, torque, and grip.
It’s not quiet, it’s not polite, and it’s definitely not going to win any concours events. But for those who want to actually drive an old Mustang instead of parking it, this build might be the blueprint. From the hand-rolled metal flares to the homebuilt front splitter, every inch of it oozes purpose. Just don’t expect to roll up the windows—there aren’t any.
This article was originally published by Hotcars
