Two Cars. Two Visions. Our 1966 Mustang Convertibles.

Do you follow the assembly line and return a car to its original glory with an OEM-style restoration? Or do you take everything that made it iconic and build the version Detroit could have only dreamed of, and create a modern masterpiece?

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That question sits at the heart of this pair of 1966 Mustang convertibles. In a classic case of Jekyll and Hyde, one was built to honor tradition, while the other was built to embrace innovation. They share the same unmistakable Mustang DNA, yet each car tells a completely different story.

One preserves the spirit of the original. The other reimagines what that spirit can become.

At Restomod Mustangs, our team set out to execute both build styles with the same level of care, craftsmanship, and intent, proving that there is more than one way to honor an American icon.

At a glance, these two 1966 Mustang convertibles look fresh off the production line. However, the only thing that’s the same on these two is the bodies and the iconic Mustang badging.  

Red 1966 Mustang: Built On Tradition And Heritage

Sometimes, keeping something simple is the perfect recipe, and that’s just what we did on this ruby convertible. Staying true to its roots, we skipped a modern V8 powerplant and transmission, bypassed major aftermarket suspension swaps that typically come as second nature, and retained the original interior styling and feel. 

Instead of that modern V8, we instead chose to honor tradition with a carbureted 302 small block Ford engine that is backed with a 4R70W automatic transmission under the hood to maintain that iconic sound and feel while also packing plenty of power for the street.

Instead of adding a modern upholstery look and feel, we kept the original seat style, dash, and center console so that when the top is down, the interior is the center of the show. Every stitch and wood grain is perfect, showcasing the complete refinement that an original-styled 1966 Ford Mustang interior can achieve. 

All of this combines to make a reliable, comfortable driver's car meant to look amazing anywhere, with a sense of class and style only a factory-styled muscle car can give. 

Green 1966 Mustang Convertible: Modern Performance

And Feel

Working in complete and utter contrast to the previous Mustang, this green convertible is built with the concept of taking every piece of what the 1966 Mustang convertible could be, and multiplying it by 3. Gone is the factory front clip and factory style small block, and a much more modern interior takes the place of the traditional wood and vinyl. 

Instead of the venerable 302 under the hood, this Mustang packs a 5.0L Gen 4 Coyote with a 10-speed automatic transmission behind it to make this car act and feel much like a modern Mustang would. 

Not only is the interior more modern, but it is hand-sewn with custom Ferrari-quality, Napa

Italian leather is engineered to deliver the most form-fitting and performance-oriented interior. Modern sports car feel replaces wooden nostalgia in this Mustang, giving the driver a feel of refinement and luxury. And that’s part of what separates these two cars. 

Same Bloodline, Different Souls

This is more than just two different warhorses that came from the same bloodline that we have breathed new life into.

Both Mustangs began with the same general structure: a 1966 Mustang convertible. Both were built with care, craftsmanship, and each was given a unique personality that couldn’t make them more different. 

Inside the engine bay is one of the biggest contrasts in design. One was built to feel like what it could have been decades ago, when performance was simpler, mechanical, and raw. The other was built around what that same Mustang could become today, using modern powertrain technology to completely redefine the driving experience.

You are reminded just how different these two cars are the moment you sit behind the wheel. In the red convertible, the wooden steering wheel, original-style gauges, vinyl seats, and classic trim place you firmly in the era the car came from. Everything feels familiar, simple, and intentional — the kind of cockpit that encourages you to slow down, drop the top, and enjoy the car for what it was always meant to be.

The green convertible delivers a completely different impression. The Italian leather-wrapped wheel, modern dash layout, custom seats, and touchscreen interface bring a contemporary Mustang experience into a 60-year-old design. It still carries the shape and soul of a classic, but the touch points, materials, and technology transform the cabin into something far more refined and modern.

Together, the two interiors tell the same story from opposite sides. One embraces heritage. The other elevates it.

Neither approach is wrong. In fact, that is the point.

Preservation Vs Reimagine

These two cars are both equally enjoyable, both road trip-ready and weekend cruising capable. But they illustrate just how unique our team can build a car to match the owner's desired goal. 

These two builds showcase the full range of what a classic Mustang can become. From the lower control arms to the steering wheel, every decision shapes the personality of the finished car.

An OEM-style build appeals to the driver who wants to experience the Mustang as it was meant to be: timeless, analog, charming, and unmistakably classic. Giving a feeling of nostalgia for a time that doesn’t exist anymore. Every turn of the key, gear shift, and turn of the wheel embraces the classic car feel.

A Restomod build appeals to the driver who wants the same iconic silhouette, but with modern power, sharper response, greater comfort, and a completely elevated driving experience. It allows the owner to enjoy the classic Mustang shape they fell in love with while gaining the confidence of modern engineering underneath. On a winding mountain road, that difference becomes impossible to ignore. Better suspension, stronger brakes, sharper steering, and modern drivetrain response all work together to make the car feel planted, composed, and ready for every corner. It keeps the soul of a classic Mustang intact while transforming everything beneath the surface into something far more capable. It is nostalgia with teeth, a wolf in sheep’s clothing built for the modern driver. 

One is a love letter to the past. The other is a vision of what the past could become.

Reimagine Your Next Mustang

At Restomod Mustangs, we do not believe there is only one correct way to build a classic Mustang. Some cars deserve to be preserved. Others deserve to be transformed.

What matters is intent.

Whether you want an OEM-inspired cruiser that honors the original design or a full custom restomod built around modern performance and luxury, our goal remains the same: to build a Mustang with purpose.

Because at the end of the day, the best build is not the one that follows a trend. It is the one that tells the right story.

Contact us today to have your story told through your next Mustang.

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