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Some Mustangs are built for cruising, others for showing and some even for drag racing or autocrossing. But when Colorado Springs resident Davey Schmidt decided to start his latest project, there was a more unique purpose behind the build– competing in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Check out the amazing car that carried Schmidt to the top of the famed mountain just days after its completion below!
A Mustang in the Works
While Schmidt has had a passion for Fords all of his life, it wasn’t until 2008 that he built his first Mustang to take on the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. At that time, the highway to the top of the over 14,000-foot mountain was only beginning to be paved, creating a whole new competitive hill climb atmosphere.
With a number of hill climbs under his belt, Schmidt decided that 2014 was the year to do something different with his competitive car, so he went full-bore and opted for a full professional tube chassis build, from the frame up.
“I wanted a professional chassis to be more competitive,” Schmidt told us. The result is the amazing hill climb Mustang you see here.
What She’s Got
Built atop a Howe TA2 road racing chassis, this 2014-bodied Mustang is the real deal. Under the car, you’ll find a complete Coleman Racing suspension setup with Hoosier A6 tires planting the beast to the ground and disc brakes on all four corners taking care of all the car’s braking needs during competition.
From the frame up, Schmidt assembled practically everything on his race car. Build images compliments of Schmidt.
Powering the hill climb Mustang is a fully massaged 347ci stroker motor machined by LEE’s Automotive Machine and fitted with a set of performance aluminum heads, an MSD 6AL-equipped ignition system, and crossover headers that dump into a custom 3 ½-inch exhaust. Behind the 347 stroker sits a C4 automatic transmission controlled by a B&M shifter. Out back, a quick change rearend from Coleman Racing pushes the engine’s power to the pavement for optimal tire-spinning momentum.
As far as the look and feel of the car go, the fiberglass Mustang body is of the 2014 variety from Howes Racing. Atop the body is a glossy PPG Midnight Black paint scheme that Schmidt laid himself before adorning the car with sponsorship graphics. Fittingly, Schmidt named his car Midnight.
On the hood of the car, Schmidt flies the Ford Warriors in Pink banner, as well as the Susan G. Komen banner- both near and dear causes to Schmidt and his family, showing his long-time support of the fight against breast cancer. Schmidt is so supportive, in fact, that both of these logos were put on the car without a sponsorship or any money exchanged for publicity. Racing across the car’s grille is an American flag-clad running Mustang.
What inspires Schmidt to build? Well, it’s “the enjoyment of seeing things coming together and a passion for the sport,” Schmidt explained.
Inside, the car is fully outfitted for serious competition with custom aluminum panels, a full cage setup, a single race seat and harness, and only the basic controls and gauges for getting to the top of the hill and back in a safe manner.
Done by Curtis Richardson, Mike Schmidt, and Pat Schmidt, the interior matches just enough custom flair with a whole lot of function.
After all, when you’re racing to the top of a mountain stretching over 14,000 feet above sea level as fast as you can, there’s not a whole lot in the way of creature comforts and cool accessories that you’re worried about.
Learning every bit of his car along the way, Schmidt did the vast majority of the assembly work on this build with the help of his friends and family. Schmidt wanted to extend a special “Thank You” to all his family and friends that helped out with the build along the way, especially his uncle Mike.
From bare tube chassis to completion, the Mustang's build took just eight weeks! How's that for a fast turnaround?
The build wouldn’t have been possible without all the help and support of his loved ones, as well as his sponsors– Phil Long Ford, Transmission Clinic, Wagner Welding Supply, Graphic Fx, The Key Lounge, City Glass Company and PPG.
When asked what the best part of the build was for him, Schmidt told us that he really enjoyed learning the new style of the chassis, although every part and modification had their special place in his heart. But, if he had to do it over again, Schmidt said he’d go with better brakes and a heftier cooling system. Luckily, there’s time for these changes to be made before next year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb if Schmidt decides to do them!
She may look mean as hell, but she sounds even more fierce! Watch out Pikes Peak- this pissed off pony will take you by storm for years to come!
Race to the Clouds
From start to finish, the build took a mere eight weeks and was completed on June 23rd, 2014, just six days before the flag dropped for the 92nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Competing in the PPC Open class, Schmidt placed seventh in his class and 101st overall (out of 130 competitors) with a climb time of 13 minutes and 13.773 seconds.
Thanks goes out to Schmidt for sharing his brand new race car with us and we can’t wait to see how he does at the next running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in his pissed off pony coming up this next summer!
Check out more photos from the entire build process of this awesome Mustang, compliments of Schmidt, as well as photos from its debut at the 2014 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, in the Stang TV Gallery below!
