Gordon Prinster’s 1967 Ford Mustang
We all know someone whose project ends up underwater financially, but do you know someone whose project literally started underwater? Gordon Prinster’s 1967 Ford Mustang did. It ended up under water thanks to floods in Missouri back in the early-’90s. Rescued from a flooded field and missing most of its parts, this Mustang was brought back to life thanks to Gordon’s vision and the work of Rich Mutert at Innovations Auto in Foristell, Missouri.
The first thing to catch your eye is the brilliant PPG Candy Apple Red finish with a champagne center strip. It truly shines. The sleek, restored body features a custom hood, custom front and rear bumpers, hand-fabricated side vents and a custom-built rear spoiler. In a seat of muted gray Eleanor clones, this red beast really stands out!
Under the hood, 650 horsepower comes from a Ford Racing 5-liter Coyote V8 that features aluminum heads with custom metal valve covers and a Whipple supercharger. Exhaust gases exit through custom-fabricated headers and a Magnaflow exhaust system. An accessory drive system from Power by the Hour houses A/C, alternator, water pump and power steering units, while FRPP ignition makes sure there is enough spark to deliver peak performance.
All that horsepower moves through a Tremec T56 manual transmission to a 3.89:1-geared rearend. The bottom end is well supplied with Detroit Speed components: an Aluma Frame front suspension with tubular control arms and rack-and-pinion steering, and a Quadra Link rear suspension. Wilwood brakes front and rear handle the stopping chores, with 18×10- and 19×12-inch Schott wheels wearing Michelin rubber (255/35/18 front, 345/35/19 rear).
The modern interior treatment is courtesy of Mutert’s Auto Detailing Upholstery in Wentzville, Missouri, which is owned and operated by Rich’s parents. The custom dash is wrapped in the same Luxor leather used throughout the interior. Dakota HDX gauges reside in the dash, along with the Soundstream audio system and other controls. A Flashpower steering wheel tops an IDIDIT steering column. Late-model Mustang seats sit on either side of a custom-built console, complete with now-mandatory cup holders. EZ Wiring connects all the electrical components.
This 1967 Ford Mustang is no trailer queen, racking up more than 1,500 miles of highway driving, including some AutoCross runs. And there’s one more thing to consider: This Mustang’s journey from rusted, waterlogged relic to sparkling showpiece took only 14 months. That’s a testament to Gordon’s vision and the dedication of builder Rich Mutert.
Photos by John Jackson & Damon Lee
