65-73 Mustangs make for great cars to modify as pro-tourers, with a massive backing in aftermarket replacement parts available. And we can’t get enough of pro-touring classics like the one we have today: a copper-orange ’66 fastback.

A recent thread posted on Pro-Touring.com shared this magnificent pony car from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It got a great deal of well-deserved attention from fellow forum members, with whom he shared many details about the build.

First, the paint was a genuine Ford color, designated GW/Orange Crush, which struck him as the perfect choice for his project car after seeing it on a Ford Edge. And no matter the angle, it all looks terrific.

Major modifications were made to aid and improve the car’s handling, like lowering it by about 2 1/2 inches. Also, the chassis was strengthened with sub frame connectors, while Ron Morris tubular front suspension and coil-overs on the front and rear made the car better suited to its passengers’ comfort.

Mini tubbing was also done to allow for the bigger wheels and tires: American Racing 17 X 9 1/2 front and 17 X 11 rear wheels are wrapped with 275/40 front and 315/35 rear tires, thereby giving the car better overall traction and an amazing stance. Slowing the pony down from speed is a set of disc brakes from SSBC.

Bob Collins, who goes by the handle Blue C’s on Pro-Touring’s forum, also hand-crafted a bunch of parts, like the side scoops, front air dam, rear valance, and flares, just to name a few. The louvers were removed from the top side vents and were customized out of urethane foam, which were then sanded and shaped.

The engine is a 289 bored out to .040 over, producing 285hp feeding a 4-speed toploader transmission and 3.55 gears out back. Bob flatly states the car was never meant for racing of any sort–it’s just supposed to be a nice, resto-mod driver that retained its driving roots. Sometimes, as awesome as performance vehicles are, it’s nice to see a car that just wants to look cool and drive well.

As for the interior, the only outstanding features are the custom console and the steering wheel–which fortunately matched the outside paint. It’s a work in progress, but it’s in the right hands. Collins said, “I wanted something just a little different with a little Restomod and Old School done together.” It’s always nice to have a plan, and even better when you see that plan come to fruition like his Mustang.

We give kudos to Bob and his Mustang, there’s a certain amount of pride in building your car yourself, and that pride shows up at every angle.