
What if a Mustang could be created with an FIA Cobra vibe?
Chris Ashton of Ruffian cars did just that. As Chris explains: It’s a vintage gentleman’s racer - a lot of Cobra and a little European influence. It’s a street car that’s been inspired by racing, which feels vintage, but with a tighter suspension.
Ruffian’s 1967 Mustang FIA Fastback

Body Modifications
Concept - Andreas Hoås Wennevold and Chris Ashton
Body panels, roof, chassis and floor pan are original Ford - there are no reproduction panels on the car
Metalwork: All steel, hand fabricated widebody, scoops, vents, radiator support, etc.
Paint and Body: Auto Addiction OC
Colors: Porsche Brewster Green, Kia Solar Yellow and Ford Wimbledon White
Headlights: Holley Retrobright
Front Spoiler, Side skirts and hood scoop are reproduced in carbon by Ruffian/Anvil and can be purchased from Ruffian

Interior
Seats: Bride Histrix Super Aramid with custom upholstery by Auto Addiction OC including houndstooth seat and door inserts
Dash: Modified Mustang
Gauges: Classic Instruments Auto X series
Shifter: Jake Palm custom
Horn button: Vintage arcade (a nod to Chris' videogame designing career)
Ruffian custom ignition key by Formawerx

Drivetrain
Engine: Shelby aluminum block 364ci Ford 289 - 500hp
Fuel Type: 91 octane pump gas
Fueling: Weber 48 IDA carburetors, Aeromotive 340 in tank pump
Engine Management: MSD
Fuel Cell: 22 gallon Fuel Safe
Transmission: Tremec TKX five-speed manual
Driveshaft: Carbon
Differential: 3.89:1 gear ratio, Torque Worm differential and 31 spline axles
Rear Axle: Street or Track floating rear axle Watt's link with 1 degree negative camber
Wiring harness: Custom
Battery: Anti-gravity Group 35 lithium
Includes both sets of injection stacks - the Ultem (bronze) and the currently installed stainless steel with filters.
Also included are:
Binder of paperwork
Maintenance spreadsheet which lists part numbers, oil weights, etc.
Extensive photo galleries
Case of the build books
Bunch of the FIA Fastback themed apparel

Chassis
Chassis design: Original Ford unibody, convertible inner rockers and seat riser
Roll cage: Back half, six point
Shocks: Bilstein coilovers at all four corners
Front suspension: Street or Track double wishbone, tubular
Rear suspension: Street or Track watts link floating rear axle with 1 degree negative camber
Rotors and Calipers: Street or Track Trans Am series Kelsey Hayes Thunderbird calipers with heavy duty rotors
Clutch and Brake masters: Wilwood
Functional brake cooling ducts front and rear
Wheels: American Racing Shelby Cobra centerlock - (F&R): 15”x9.5”
Wheel Finish: Matte bronze
Tires: Avon CR6ZZ, 275/50/15, 295/50/15
Current mileage - under 1,500 miles

Awards
Roadster Shop’s “Best of the Rest” at SEMA (2023)
Awarded to the most outstanding vehicle at the entire SEMA show that is not built on a Roadster Shop chassis. The prize highlights craftsmanship and design from competing custom builders.
Videos and Articles
Ruffian website build details
Instagram video @nicolejohnsonoffroad - Oct 2023
@joelr7129 , JoelR7 video - SEMA, Nov 2023
@jalopy_jeff video - SEMA, Nov 2023
RoadsterShop Oil and Whiskey video - Feb 2024
Autotopia LA video - Mar 2024
Hot Cars article - Mar 2024
Classic Industries article - May 2024
@Itsjustken, Ken Johnson video - Jun 2024
Hot Rod article - Sep 2024
AutoEvolution article - Dec 2024
Audrain Museum Network video - Aug 2025
Motor Trend - Behind the Build - Sep 2025
FIA Fastback Build Book
Danny Lightning CSR - CSR2 video game tuning
Csr2 A_Pop - CSR2 video game run
Photo Galleries
Sponsors
Auto Addiction OC: Paint and body
Paint: BASF
Street or Track: Suspension and fuel system
Morimoto: Lighting
Wilwood Brakes: E-brakes and primary cylinders