One look at the Performance West Group '67 Mustang GT/R-CODE, and you know immediately this is no ordinary Stang. It has an absolutely menacing appearance, one that seduces you at first sight, daring you to climb into the cockpit and man the wheel.
Inside, it's familiar yet modern, with bolstered seats, a Hurst shifter, and color-keyed accents that are more modern than vintage. A quick twist of the ignition key reinforces this sensation, because the blown 4.6 engine snaps into life instantly with what can only be described as a vicious bark.
Slip the Hurst-shifter-equipped Tremec five-speed into First gear, release the Hays clutch, and tip into the throttle gingerly--because if you don't, you'll blow off the tires.
Merging onto the freeway, shifting each gear at the 6,000 rpm redline, the sound of the exhaust that reverberates though the vehicle is utterly primal. Forget about measuring for noise, vibration, and harshness, the Mustang GT/R-CODE was meant to be driven, and driven hard. Corners are no match for this chrome Pony, with its thoroughly modern coilover suspension, power rack-and-pinion steering, massive brakes, and staggered rolling stock.
Maybe the GT/R-CODE has some traces from the Falcon gene pool in its bloodline, but you'll be hard-pressed to find them. No, this wild stallion is a true Mustang in every sense. And as for its young grandson, that's a horse of a different color as well.