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.
Hot Rods and Heroes 2026
Best Street Machine (High Level Build)
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