Mid Engine Mustang GT
 

Mike Staveski of Time Machines and I have teamed up on what is probably the biggest project of our collective careers. When I say this is a Mustang GT, I'm talking about the actual drivetrain which is lifted from a late model Ford GT and it's going in the Mustang in the exact same configuration right under that back glass like a contemporary mid-engined supercar.

Mike has been thinking about this concept since He visited Foose's shop in 2000 and saw the partially finished Hemisfear but was still thinking Mopar for the body and the motivation when he approached me but Rad Rides just finished the best fastback Cuda of all time and a mid-engine 70 Cuda would look all wrong so I instantly suggested a Mustang for the fastback glass like a contemporary supercar and a mid-engined drivetrain already engineered.

I know from past conservations with the Ring Bros that they are playing with this idea too and it will be a cool evolution of the Kona and Reactor and is sure to be killer and have their signature look.

Attached is the rendering of what the completed car will look like as well as a couple pictures of a Ford GT that I've been staring at for ideas, inspiration and proportions. As it turns out, the wheelbase of a 69 Mustang and a GT are less than 1" different but make no mistake, there are tons of major modifications done to this body to make it more slippery and stylish while still being true to the Shinoda Mustang design, arguably the best looking Mustang of all time.

Look for a very unique rear view next week that I'm working on as we speak.

Construction on this concept will begin very soon and inquiries to own it are welcome.

One word....SICK! Can't wait to see this one.:thumbsup:

Wow - that sounds like a pretty significant undertaking to say the least. That's interesting that the wheelbases of the two vehicles are close. I'll bet the track width isn't as close :)

Can't wait to see some progress.

Brandon

Sounds like a very innovative piece Jason. Should handle like a true supercar.
Working on a 69 myself, I can see there is a ton of work to that front end. I like the air ducts in the lower valance. I'd like to see how it progresses.

Mustang GT-Mid engine project
 

We are excited to be building this project. I must tell everyone how much I enjoy working with Jason. He really listens to you and makes your ideas come to life. I have wanted to build a mid-engine muscle car ever since I first saw the Foose Hemisfear project back in 2000 while I was out west.

Credit for the mustang idea goes directly to Jason but fits perfectly with what my shop has built in the past. Back in 1998, we built a 49 Merc with everything from a Mark VIII, then we built a 57 chevy with everything from a C-5 vette, then we started building the viperized mopars. So this concept fits directly into our niche of taking an OE concept and incorporating it into an old classic car.

I just wanted to thank Jason for helping me shape my vision into something so beautiful. I just can't wait to start building it. We have the mustang already and the search has begun for a GT donor car. When we built the six shooter cuda, my wife thought we were totally crazy for cutting up an ACR viper and last night she told me that we are nuts again for cutting such a nice car.

This is going to be fun. We will post more artwork next week on the rear of the car. Any recommendations to the concept are welcomed..

Thanks
Mike
owner of Time Machines

thats going to be awsome!
cant wait for build pics :hail:

Now there's a good idea! that's going to be awesome right there.

It would be really cool to have exposed air intakes like the Bugatti Veyron, I don't know how to make it flow with the mustang, but mabye if you just use the factory locations for the side scoops and fabricate aluminum ductwork coming in from there that you will be able to see through the rear glass. Even if it is not for the air intake for the engine you could have it cool oil, or the intercooler water or a number of things, just a idea. This is a really cool project.

Jason, I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you have the touch, my friend!
Excellent styling cues... it does a great tribute without being a "tribute-ish" car, or falling over the line into a "theme car" look. Great sources of inspiration, and with the team assembled, this should be a true landmark car!
(I'm currently laminating everything I have with your autograph for future eBay madness!)
Sincerely, though.... that thing is unreal! As always, nice job, man!

How's mine looking Mike?

:D

Thanks guys! Glad everyone likes it. There were some sleepless nights this past week getting the look nailed but I love the way it turned out and now we're going to start on the technical illustrations and figuring out all the cutlines and angles.

If I was as smart as my new scanner, I could have shown more of the true detail and color but I'll get it figured out.

I love the Veyron too, Dave but the cool thing about the Mustang is the back glass and we're on the exact same page about the side intakes. They're one of the reasons we chose a 69 and if you look at the GT, it has side scoops in almost the very same spot.

Thanks for this opportunity, Mike. Working with you has been very rewarding and fun. Everyone who has ever worked with customers knows there's good ones and bad ones and Mike's a good one! Innovative and creative with great ideas but not stuck on anything and wide open to input. Thanks Mike!

What a wicked project. I definitely want to see this come together.

Great work, Jason!!

Just when I think our hobbie has evolved to it's fullest- Someone takes it to another level. I gotta tell you how cool it is hanging out with a bunch of inovative guys who aren't afaid to cut up a car to match an amazing concept. Nice work Jason:yes: :yes:

WHERE THE HECK DO YOU FIND A WRECKED GT?????:question: :question:

Chris

It's kinda ironic you say that... I was looking at this the other day...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...QQcmdZViewItem

There is only minimal body damage but it is still a pretty penny.
I CAN'T WAIT to see this car develop... it is gonna be SICK. :thumbsup:

pointless. if you want a GT buy one don't ruin a mustang.

Ooooohhhhh.... I sense an open mind!!!!:wow:




And now back to my regularly scheduled :willy:

pointless huh? Lets talk about pointless........pointless would be you even posting on this thread:yes:

Nice work jason

I think it is bitchen idea, kinda like the Hemi underglass race car. Do you know the distance from the axle center line to the front of the dampener? I saw one of those engines on the dyno @ westech and man those are big engines.

Should a cool deal, and just a little work, I suppose.

Rodger

I agree, there's nothing cooler than a stock mustang!!

http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclec...tang-1979b.jpg

Evidently he doesn't want a whole GT, just some of it. And I am pretty sure it will cost way more to build this Mustang than the sticker price on a GT.

i am sorry if offense was taken. he asked for opinion i gave it. if anything is pointless its not my post. its defensive replies to honest opinions. if you are that sensitive maybe the internet isn't the best place for you.

having an open mind has nothing to do with accepting ideas that you think are dumb.
I honestly thought about it and a mustang that doesn't sound like a mustang doesn't drive like a mustang doesn't handle like a mustang I thought it was pointless. Why not just take a new repro 68 mustang body and put it on a gutted GT?
I guess its not as dumb as the mustang in fast and furious with the nissan motor. but in the end its not my car build what you want this is all just my opinion after all.
this mustang is pretty stock. its still cool.
http://www.videovista.net/articles/bullitt2.jpg

I don't think any of the replies to your post (including my own) are what you might call "defensive". If there is a group anywhere that would support hacking up a Mustang to turn it into something more trick, this board is it. This is a PRO-TOURING site, as in modified cars. You dig originality and thats cool, but to trash an idea that pushes the envelope of pro-touring on this site may not be received very well.

Nowhere in the post does it say "hey everyone give your opinion" it was simply put up to promote a project. A very cool one at that.
.
This is the problem with most armchair quarterback internet heros.....you dont have any style! There are very few cars that look good stock and a mustang, 98% of the time (making exception for boss cars late 60ish) are not one of them.

Speaking of honest opinions and the internet... would you have the nerve to walk up a builder or designer at say...Columbus, and badmouth thier idea in person?

If it wasn't for inovative guys like these we would still be driving '68 mustangs with "14 Americans, shackles and air-shocks.

Why is it everytime Jason wants to take the time to share what's going on in his world somebody(..who are you again? which car did you have at sema??? which magazine have you been featured in???) blasts his livelyhood. I guess thats the price for being innovative.

Opinions are fine.. like which tranny to run, LSx or 454 but to attack someone's creative idea is just that... an attack.

Sorry i should have let this one die.. but this one has been bugging me-Chris

:thumbsup: I think its a great idea! Thats what this hobby is all about. If you can't buy what you want, then build it. Take whats good from one car and combine it with the body you want. I just wish I could help build it. :cheers:

That Mustang was and will always be Steve McQueen's Mustang. Mike and Jason are building THEIR Mustang. That's what hot rodding is all about. Steve McQueen would probably dig the idea since hee was big on mid engine formula cars. The almost flat picture window on a 69/70 is begging for an engine to show off.

Yum! :yes:
http://www.callofbeauty.com/gallery/...3-1024x768.jpg

Great and innovative idea, Is going to make a sick ride. I can't wait to see pics of that motor through the window!!!!!

Mid Engine Mustang GT
 

does anyone have an update on how this is going so far? Any sites to check out?

Bad mouthing anyone in person is easy when your 6'2 250lbs and carry a big gun lol.If i wanted a mid engine ford id buy a de tomaso pantera or take the trans axle and rear suspension and use it.Either a Windsor of Cleveland will bolt on it.Only problem is the pantera is wider then most mustangs.

Our concepts have always been taking the best of old and new. Merging the two together to get a car that looks like a vintage car but drives like a new modern day car. The key in our opinion is to get the car to keep all its classic lines but to incorporate the best today as to offer. We just received our new Ford Racing 5.4 supercharged engine. The chassis will be started very soon. Look for more updates soon.

Mike

the transaxle out of a de tomaso ig JUNK.. its a transaxle out of a front wheel drive english bedford truck.... and it barely handles the 300 hp of a de tomaso.... and it shifts like a well 40 year old truck.. built in england would...

love the project by the way...

Progress.. We received some new goodies today for the mid-engine mustang project. We should begin to build the chassis in the next month now that we have all the big pieces. We now have a Ford GT engine, transaxle, and all GT parts to make work. We have all the wiring, dash, console, seats. This one will be a Ford GT at heart but all mustang on the outside. Look for more to follow in the coming weeks.

Thanks
Mike Staveski
Time Machines

More pictures...

If anyone has tried to find GT parts, you know what an achievement that parts list is and how hard that stuff was to find. Just more details that will make this car top notch and one more reason I'm glad to be part of this project!

Thanks for the update...I was just about to post up asking for some info. I see you're going to incorporate a GT(40) aesthetic...an ambitious choice. :bow: I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeves.

Those parts are porn. More details on the seats?

Look like Sparco Modena's with carbon fiber frames (from the back).

Sweet build guys!

i could be wrong but i think those are the factory Ford GT seats..they look pretty dam close to me :thumbsup:

what sort of suspension plans do you have? will this be running the full Ford GT suspension too? front and rear?