DRIVING A DREAM

Ashley’s Early Mustang Influence

As an avid Mustang enthusiast, Bruce Weiss first exposed his daughter Ashley to these cars when she was just six months old, and while he may not have known it at the time, he imprinted favorable images that still make an impression on her today. She owned her first miniature Mustang when she was five, and over the years she attended hundreds of Mustang Club of America events with her dad. As might be expected, young Ashley came to appreciate her dad’s favorite rides, especially one Mustang in particular, the Shelby GT350H.

The Dream of a Hertz Shelby

Many of us know these cars as the famed Hertz rental cars that allowed weekend racers to live out their dreams at local tracks and then return the cars Monday morning, often the worse for wear. Yet this all took place long before Ashley was born, and by the time she did discover the GT350H, it had become a legendary car. For her, this was a favorite, and by the time she was eight years old, she set her mind on looking for her own Hertz Shelby.

A Dream in the Making

Some time was to pass until that dream materialized, and it must have seemed like forever for this young gearhead to get the chance to own any car, let alone her dream machine. Little did she know that her dad had been collecting parts to fulfill that dream, and on her 15th birthday he presented her with the beginnings of what must have seemed beyond comprehension. While it was in “pitiful” condition and would require all the labor of love she and her dad could muster, to Ashley it was the most beautiful car she had ever seen, and the culmination of a lifelong dream.

The Build Begins

Knowing that this car was going to be her daily driver and that many modern elements would be added, Ashley realized that starting with an original Shelby GT350H was out of the question. Instead, a production ’66 Mustang fastback served as the donor car. The teardown process began as soon as they got the car home, stripping it right down to the frame. That summer, while her friends were hanging out at the beach, Ashley was elbow-deep in oil and grime as she went through every piece, removing the history that had built up over the years. During this process, she became familiar with every component and every tool, from impact wrenches to bead blasters, and while it may have seemed like an impossible effort at the time, it would all prove worthwhile later.

Blending Classic and Modern Performance

From the beginning, she did have some perception/reality differences with her dad concerning how the car would come together, but in the end compromises were made and improvements were realized. While it might look like the original she wanted, it would have the modern elements he preferred. The first of these was a ’96 Mustang Cobra engine and transmission, which certainly set this car’s performance standards in motion. Cooling is handled by a Steeda Ultra-Cool aluminum radiator fitted with a Cobra electric fan. Another carryover from present to past is the suspension, a change that won’t be found on too many early Mustangs, and one that definitely raises this car’s capability.

Innovative Suspension and Handling Upgrades

While Mustang II independent suspension was eventually utilized in front, along with its power rack-and-pinion steering and power disc brakes, the solid rear axle in this ’66 was replaced with the independent rear suspension from an ’01 Cobra Mustang. Making these changes involved grafting the floor pans and the rear frame segments from the newer Mustang into the ’66, keeping everything working as it was designed. Although this was a difficult task, everything went as planned thanks to lots of patience and perseverance. From there, a new frame was shaped farther forward and the front suspension was installed. Bilstein coilover shocks were used at all four corners, allowing ride-height adjustability and excellent control of the ’01 Mustang Bullitt rims fitted with Shelby center caps. While 245/45-17 Nitto radials round out the front, fatter 275/40-17s were given the job of applying the ponies.

Flawless Exterior Restoration

Once the chassis was finalized, attention was focused on the exterior, which was returned to its original condition and then some, thanks to a considerable amount of sanding and preparation for the black paint and gold stripes to come. While Ashley helped here, too, Mike’s Auto Body in Melbourne, Florida, assisted, and together they created results that can be appreciated in the accompanying photographs.

Customized Interior with Modern Comforts

With the body in pristine condition, it was time to rework the interior, and while much of its original appearance was retained, numerous changes are hidden here as well. The stock vinyl interior and cut-pile carpet retains all of this car’s classic appeal. The gauges, too, remain as they were, except for the VDO speedometer and an original Shelby tachometer, which feeds off the same wiring loom that supplies the engine and ’03 Mustang Mach 460 audio system with power; this makes use of a six-disc CD player and eight speakers positioned throughout the interior. If you look closely, you’ll notice other additions, including the ’69 Mustang tilt column and custom steering wheel, as well as the power windows, keyless entry and in-dash air conditioning now operated by the original heater knob. Safety comes by way of a four-point rollbar fitted with five-point Cobra racing harnesses.

Ashley’s Mustang Hits the Road

No sooner had Ashley and her dad finished this project than Ashley was off to her senior year in high school, and as you might imagine, she definitely had the coolest car on campus. She also made her first visit to the racetrack that year, which was an experience that appealed to her Mustang sensibilities. She also discovered what most of us know, that her ’66 Mustang could use a little more power. She again planned some changes with her dad to the tune of a new supercharged ’03 Mustang Cobra engine, a T56 six-speed transmission and a rearend of the same vintage. These additions brought a good number of ponies to the charge, and with that, both father and daughter realized their lifelong dreams.

A Legacy of Mustang Passion

Since then, Ashley and her father have continued to attend Mustang events, but from a different vantage point, with Ashley as a participant. This slick Mustang has earned several “Gold” awards thanks to its excellent build quality and clever innovation, and countless comments about this father/daughter team. They even took part in Ford’s 100th-anniversary celebration in Dearborn, logging a total of 3,000 miles, every one with its wheels on the pavement. After all, this is Ashley’s driver and not some trailered princess.

The Power of Dreams and Dedication

While nearly two decades had passed since Bruce Weiss was blessed with a daughter, the time between his first glimpse of his baby and seeing her tearing up the track must have seemed short. For Ashley, it has been an entirely different matter, as the dreams she had so long cherished had finally come true thanks to the love and support of her dad. These are the dreams that life is made of, and yet another example of how perceptions can change our reality.