For ages, rumors have persisted around a four-door Ford Mustang. A pony car for the entire family, something far more rakish than a Falcon or a Fairmont or an LTD. It’s a great idea, appealing to a wider audience than a two-door coupe would, but we have yet to see positive signs of life for the idea beyond wishful thinking. Still, that hasn’t stopped people from creating their own four-door Mustangs, and one of these custom affairs recently sold on Bring A Trailer.
If you’ve been reading for a while, you probably know that I’m a sucker for a weird limousine. Sure, they’re sometimes dubious when it comes to safety and/or style, but they’re pure custom car imagination run wild. It takes guts to cut a car in half as part of a major project with the intent to stitch it back together again in an elongated form, and some of that creativity really shows in this particular Mustang.
Specifically, it’s a 1966 Mustang coupe that started life with a 3.3-liter inline-six. A great classic car, but nothing hugely rare. Before the turn of the millennium, these six-cylinder models really weren’t worth much, which would explain why this one ended up as a base for a custom limousine.
At some point, a previous owner sectioned this Mustang in two before absolutely going to town aft of the doors. The C-pillars have been shifted back and modified substantially, the B-pillars are entirely new, and those rear doors are actually factory front doors flipped around. Not only does that render them rear-hinged, but it also means that rear seat occupants get their own vent windows. As part of the process, this Mustang also gained a 289 cubic-inch V8, along with a separate air conditioning system for the rear seat passengers.
Inside, this thing’s strange silhouette gives way to three rows of seats, with the middle row facing the back for proper conversations. In addition to the aforementioned rear air-con, backseat riders get their own sunroof, although there’s no word on whether the aerial on the trunk lid actually goes to anything. Perhaps the most astounding thing is just how well the upholstery’s done back there. The seats look correct, the carpet looks correct, everything here screams “Mustang” despite this car’s heavily altered nature.
You might be wondering what something like this is actually worth. More than I ever imagined, I’ll tell you that. After nearly a week of the listing being live, a late bidding war saw the hammer fall at a whopping $40,000. You can buy a nice V8-powered original Mustang coupe for that sort of money, proving that in this case, the limousine conversion was actually a value add.
Perhaps the best part of all this is how positively it was received in the notorious Bring A Trailer comments section. One bidder, had they won it, considered wrapping it purple to match their Super Snake. Another commented, “I’m sitting here in Napa, imagining the possibilities and trying to keep my finger away from the Place Bid button.” Upon receiving congratulations for the purchase, the winning bidder commented, “Thank you! I have no plans to rent it. I just wanted it for my collection.” People love this thing, and I love that.
This 1966 Mustang limousine might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s wacky enough that I can’t help but adore it. It’s gloriously weird, but also seems strangely well-executed. Add in the way it gets the people going, and it feels like a win overall. Custom car culture requires all sorts of builds, and this one’s enough of a head-turner to be truly memorable.
Top graphic image: Bring A Trailer
Nicely done though I hate how the roof came out.
This looks surprisingly well thought out, especially like the the front-as-rear doors.
My only quibble is the wheels – to me, torque thrust Ds look best on the 68 and up bodies. A build like this needs the wire style wheels!
Those appear to be New Edge Mustang Bullitt wheels. Styled after the torque thrust of course; a proper D would look more at home.
I coulda swore this was going be a full-on Meth Build, but it actually seems well-done? I guess that makes it a Cocaine Build?
Almost certainly cocaine era, if nothing else. FWIU it was the Wild West in limo conversions in the ’80s but commercial insurance for one has gotten considerably fussier and more expensive since.
This is a special model called “The Swayback”.
*inserts SpongeBob my eyes gif*
How many beers did it take to make this a good idea? However, I appreciate the ingenuity and sheer hillbillerry!
Thought this might be a visual from an old Juicy Fruit gum ad.
What in the TopGear challenge? I mean, yeah, incredibly well done.