Built over the course of 16 months by Devin Russo at Russo’s Restorations, car owner Wendell Boatright’s fastback “K” code 1965 Ford Mustang is an absolutely stunning showpiece of history and workmanship.
The classic icon of American automotive culture, Boatright’s high-performance, V8-powered first-generation pony car arrived at Russo’s Restorations in Laurinburg, North Carolina, slightly rusty and wearing a coat of red paint. There, the car was completely transformed into a true work of art that matched its owner’s vision via a complete restoration and rebuild.
First, Russo and technician Josh Elliott took on the task of completely gutting and stripping down the ‘Stang to just bare sheet metal and a frame. Body panels were replaced as needed and care was taken to ensure the body lines were gapped correctly. Next, the Mustang was placed onto the shop’s in-house rotisserie where it was gone over with painstaking care from literal top to bottom, front to back, strengthened with Detroit Speed subframe connectors, and retouched to perfection.
Once the body had been restored to even better than its former showroom glory and outfitted with aesthetic enhancements including a Maier Racing Shelby trunk, fender extensions, and side scoops, as well as a shaved and tucked steel rear bumper that was custom-built by Russo’s, Dapper LED seven headlights and LED sequential rear tail lights, it was sprayed with a custom shade of Yuengling Green Pearl from Tamco Paint over a black basecoat to give it extra depth, then finished with Tamco’s 4100 Glamour clear coat.
A modern powerplant was installed between the front framerails, as the men had selected a 5.0-liter Gen 1 Coyote engine with a Roush supercharger that pumps out a whopping 700 horsepower. The engine was equipped with extra upgrades, including billet oil pump gears, a Holley low-profile oil pan, an Aeromotive Phantom 340 fuel pump with return that’s fed from a custom-built 22-gallon baffled aluminum fuel cell, and wired in using a Power by the Hour Coyote harness along with an American Autowire universal 20-circuit harness.
Paired with an MT82 six-speed transmission, an RST clutch and lightweight flywheel were also installed. The transmission feeds into a Driveshaft Shop custom aluminum driveshaft which terminates into a narrowed, fabricated 9” rear end with a powder coated housing and limited slip differential.
Sitting on a set of Q1 coilovers, Boatright’s restoration also received a Mustangs to Fear independent front suspension system. In the rear, Detroit Speed mini tubs shroud the 315-tire-wrapped 18x11 American Racing VN427 wheels which themselves frame the aftermarket disc brakes from Wilwood; the Mustang was also modified to use an E-Stopp electric emergency brake.
Russo’s meticulous craftsmanship, combined with custom green-stitched upholstery done by Trimmers Trim Shop, created an incredible interior that’s nothing short of a visual masterpiece.
From the billet steering wheel with IDIDIT tilt steering column to the Vintage Air climate control system, Nu-Relics power windows, RRS Stealth full under dash brake/clutch kit, Dakota Digital gauges, Alpine internal-GPS radio, and more, the result is a beautiful blend of past and present. Additionally, all of the Mustang’s trim pieces were media blasted and Cerakoted black, and Russo’s custom built the center console and rear seat delete.
Finally, if the Coyote engine’s potent purr, which is tuned via an HPTuners system and includes a custom-fabricated, stainless steel exhaust system that’s been Cerakoted bronze, needs a backup band, a complete sound system was installed for exactly that purpose. The Kicker 600-watt amplifier, Kicker 8” Freeair subwoofers, Kicker 4” dash speakers and four 6.5” mid-speakers, are ready and waiting to blast the DJ’s selection to all within earshot.
The Russo’s Restorations team’s handiwork was debuted to Ford fans and enthusiasts for the first time at the 16th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals Presented by Sipple's Speed & Performance & Innovation Performance Technologies Top of the Rock Thrill Festival at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina over the weekend of April 12-14, 2024. Entered into the UPR Products car show, it was no surprise that Boatright’s build took first place in the NMRA Best Vintage Mustang category.
Intentionally designed to be daily driven (its South Carolina license plate reads “KOYOTE”) and easy to maintain with thoughtful accessibility, and with impeccable attention to detail, this heavily customized restomod “K” Code 1965 fastback Mustang is certain to be a winner wherever it goes.
The classic icon of American automotive culture, Boatright’s high-performance, V8-powered first-generation pony car arrived at Russo’s Restorations in Laurinburg, North Carolina, slightly rusty and wearing a coat of red paint. There, the car was completely transformed into a true work of art that matched its owner’s vision via a complete restoration and rebuild.
First, Russo and technician Josh Elliott took on the task of completely gutting and stripping down the ‘Stang to just bare sheet metal and a frame. Body panels were replaced as needed and care was taken to ensure the body lines were gapped correctly. Next, the Mustang was placed onto the shop’s in-house rotisserie where it was gone over with painstaking care from literal top to bottom, front to back, strengthened with Detroit Speed subframe connectors, and retouched to perfection.
Once the body had been restored to even better than its former showroom glory and outfitted with aesthetic enhancements including a Maier Racing Shelby trunk, fender extensions, and side scoops, as well as a shaved and tucked steel rear bumper that was custom-built by Russo’s, Dapper LED seven headlights and LED sequential rear tail lights, it was sprayed with a custom shade of Yuengling Green Pearl from Tamco Paint over a black basecoat to give it extra depth, then finished with Tamco’s 4100 Glamour clear coat.
A modern powerplant was installed between the front framerails, as the men had selected a 5.0-liter Gen 1 Coyote engine with a Roush supercharger that pumps out a whopping 700 horsepower. The engine was equipped with extra upgrades, including billet oil pump gears, a Holley low-profile oil pan, an Aeromotive Phantom 340 fuel pump with return that’s fed from a custom-built 22-gallon baffled aluminum fuel cell, and wired in using a Power by the Hour Coyote harness along with an American Autowire universal 20-circuit harness.
Paired with an MT82 six-speed transmission, an RST clutch and lightweight flywheel were also installed. The transmission feeds into a Driveshaft Shop custom aluminum driveshaft which terminates into a narrowed, fabricated 9” rear end with a powder coated housing and limited slip differential.
Sitting on a set of Q1 coilovers, Boatright’s restoration also received a Mustangs to Fear independent front suspension system. In the rear, Detroit Speed mini tubs shroud the 315-tire-wrapped 18x11 American Racing VN427 wheels which themselves frame the aftermarket disc brakes from Wilwood; the Mustang was also modified to use an E-Stopp electric emergency brake.
Russo’s meticulous craftsmanship, combined with custom green-stitched upholstery done by Trimmers Trim Shop, created an incredible interior that’s nothing short of a visual masterpiece.
From the billet steering wheel with IDIDIT tilt steering column to the Vintage Air climate control system, Nu-Relics power windows, RRS Stealth full under dash brake/clutch kit, Dakota Digital gauges, Alpine internal-GPS radio, and more, the result is a beautiful blend of past and present. Additionally, all of the Mustang’s trim pieces were media blasted and Cerakoted black, and Russo’s custom built the center console and rear seat delete.
Finally, if the Coyote engine’s potent purr, which is tuned via an HPTuners system and includes a custom-fabricated, stainless steel exhaust system that’s been Cerakoted bronze, needs a backup band, a complete sound system was installed for exactly that purpose. The Kicker 600-watt amplifier, Kicker 8” Freeair subwoofers, Kicker 4” dash speakers and four 6.5” mid-speakers, are ready and waiting to blast the DJ’s selection to all within earshot.
The Russo’s Restorations team’s handiwork was debuted to Ford fans and enthusiasts for the first time at the 16th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals Presented by Sipple's Speed & Performance & Innovation Performance Technologies Top of the Rock Thrill Festival at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina over the weekend of April 12-14, 2024. Entered into the UPR Products car show, it was no surprise that Boatright’s build took first place in the NMRA Best Vintage Mustang category.
Intentionally designed to be daily driven (its South Carolina license plate reads “KOYOTE”) and easy to maintain with thoughtful accessibility, and with impeccable attention to detail, this heavily customized restomod “K” Code 1965 fastback Mustang is certain to be a winner wherever it goes.