The Stang's capsule bleeds...
The Stang's capsule bleeds functionality and killer good looks. A Hurst shifter replaces the factory gear selector, while a rollcage (painted to match the car of course) made its way into the vehicle's cabin along with a set of Auto Meter gauges in the Steeda pillar mount. Steering inputs are made via the custom-created Momo steering wheel.
Wanting a car that would not only rocket forward, but be able to turn on a dime and stop on a nickel, Steve rehashed the underpinnings and binders. For starters, the frame was stitch-welded and Steeda triangle braces were added. The suspension was overhauled, starting with the front, where a Steeda sway bar, BMR polyurethane bushings, Tokico D-spec shocks, and an adjustable K-member can be found. At the tail end of the spaceship, Ford Racing Performance Parts billet control arms, a Saleen Watt's link rear suspension kit, and billet end links for the accompanying sway bar are seen. Steeda competition springs are found all the way around. As for the braking portion of the preflight checklist, the stock front and rear rotors were swapped out for a set of Baer 14-inch pieces. The stock calipers remain in the rear, though four-piston Baer items clamp down up front. Utilizing all of the Mustang's power and suspension capabilities is the rolling stock, which showcases Boss Eagle alloy rims sized 20x9 on all four corners. The rims were powdercoated the two-tone scheme to match the car before being dressed with the Nitto Invo 275/40/20 hoops and bolted on.
With the rocket-power handled, Steve needed an appropriately matched missile to house the powerplant. After placing a phone call to M&M Auto Arts, the Pony was rolled into the shop, where the M&M crew yanked off the stock lid, front bumper, and grille. The pieces were replaced with a Classic Design Concepts Shaker hood and custom front valance complete with a carbon-fiber wind splitter. Since the idea all along was to go for the Boss 302 look, the hood was blacked out in flat-black paint, which contrasts the factory Torch Red hue perfectly. Once the Boss 302 stripes were laid on and the rear spoiler was painted flat black, the look was complete. Add the blacked-out taillight panel, rear and quarter-window louvers, and this rocket is ready to launch.
Minus the stroker crank, Comp...
Minus the stroker crank, Comp Stage 3 cams, and CNC-ported Three-Valve heads, the 302ci motor that resides between the shock towers of Steve's Mustang is nothing special--as if 420 rwhp is something to laugh at.
The final countdown came with building the capsule, which in this case meant upgrading the interior. The front chairs were ditched in favor of a set of color-matching Cobra custom leather buckets. Color-matching inserts went in the rear seats, followed by the installation of the red-hued rollcage courtesy of Auto Power. A Steeda gauge pillar stocked with Auto Meter gauges was installed next. Finishing off the look was the addition of the Momo handmade steering wheel that was custom-built for the car.
"The Mustang you see here is the result of all the work that Galpin does not only at our shop, but with the Mustang vendors that help and develop new products for these cars," Steve says. "We wanted to build a car that you could drive everyday, wouldn't overheat, but that would go fast in a straight line and around corners.
"It's an incredible driving Mustang. The car was set up for road racing and aggressive street driving. It's like having your own Ferrari, Porsche, or BMW, but in a Mustang body, and that was the goal we wanted to achieve. We wanted to build the ultimate Mustang and, of course, bring back the old-school Boss look."
While Scott Carpenter's Aurora 7 Mercury capsule was destined for outer space and a place in the history books, Steve Carpenter's Mustang has a destiny and place of its own, that being a four-wheel incarnation of heat with a bit of old-school flavor. It's one hot car that certainly causes the mercury to rise.
 The Boss 302 look carried...  The Boss 302 look carried to the back of the car also, as the taillight panel was blacked out, a billet fuel door was installed, and the rear wing was enveloped in flat-black paint. |  Astronauts had their own seats...  Astronauts had their own seats and custom spacesuits. Steve's Mustang is no different, as the factory buckets made way for a set of Cobra two-tone leather seats. |  |