WILD RIDE ARTICLE>
RRS and Classic Design Concepts Team up to
build a "Flashback" 1967 Mustang
It is an audacious idea really; to build a
"new" 1967 Mustang shell. But that is just what the USA
Company Dynacorn did. This development has sent a ripple
through the Muscle Car aftermarket that has created a new
buzz for the Ford aftermarket parts suppliers; one of those
suppliers is Sydney based RRS who specialize in Muscle Car
Ford suspension and chassis parts for both Australian and
American Icon cars like the XK-XC Falcon and Mustang.
Initially there were only four fastback bodies
produced and of the initial four, RRS has had a hand in
three. Matthew Pankau, RRS Managing Director explains the
connection; "We are a cutting edge aftermarket supplier
of suspension and chassis components; it was only natural
that we be involved in the first three cars because of our
American Divisions connection with the companies involved."
Two of the cars were featured in popular US television programs
Hot Rod TV and Chop Cut Rebuild. The last however saw the
deepest involvement by RRS staff both here and abroad and
is shown here.
The Classic Design Concepts (CDC) body dubbed
"Flashback" was originally to be a pushrod fuel injected
V8 Windsor with styling changes to the interior and exterior.
That was before RRS US distributor Gateway Classic Mustang,
RRS US Marketing Director Jeff Ford and Pankau got involved.
RRS distributor Gateway and Ford worked the suspension end
of the spectrum with an eye to use an RRS Phase 4 strut
and brake kit, power rack and pinion, and rear disc kit
"Gateway broached the subject of RRS to CDC Managing Director,
George Huisman, at a car show in early '07 and RRS have
been a source of verbal irritation on this subject to CDC
since the year before, until finally CDC said 'OK'." With
that OK RRS parts were sent and installed on the Flashback
shell. Meanwhile Matthew Pankau broached the idea of a modular
V8 in place of the pushrod engine. Pankau elaborates, "In
my mind out went the idea of a pushrod V8 and in went a
2007 GT500 5.4 with 600 horsepower coupled to a six-speed
manual box, that said 'innovation' to match the styling."
Of course this was all on paper and paper is easy. The fitment
required many new products from RRS including a then very
new Modular V8 Install kit that includes an RRS strut front
suspension, shock tower notching kit, engine mounts and
transmission mount. Because of the mammoth size of the supercharged
5.4 and its bundle of snakes' intercooler system, RRS created
another new product, an under-dash booster, to allow for
a smoothed firewall and more importantly room for the big,
wide V8. With so much power on tap out front RRS also mounted
their popular 3-Link rear suspension and world class rear
disc brake kit to the Flashback for better control of the
torque that the 5.4 can apply to the pavement. It took less
than 400 words to tell you about the idea; it took CDC four
months of nearly constant work, with the help of Pankau
and several Ford USA engineers to put the car on the road
and more importantly to CDC and RRS, in the Ford Corporate
booth at the 2007 SEMA show, the worlds largest aftermarket
parts show, held in Las Vegas USA. Where the "flashback"
went on to win 1st price for "outstanding achievement in
design"!
Simply put the "Flashback", with its combination
of American styling, performance and Australian chassis
ingenuity, is a winner. "I'd put the performance of the
Flashback up against any modern sports sedan," said Pankau,
"It delivers on all levels, styling, shear muscle and driving
performance with all the amenities." And amenities it has;
CDC has given the Flashback all of the things essential
to modern muscle cars-both here and in the USA. Comforts
abound with power seat, windows and steering, Air Con and
the now ubiquitous cup holders in the center console. Leather
is everywhere while the touch of factory cloth adds a nice
counterpoint to the black interior. The in car JVC sound
system is one that when pushed will wow any audiophile.
The stunning thing is that this car is not
just a styling exercise, CDC plans to sell these Flashbacks
in the USA and Australia.
