To make the setup fully streetable, Marietta went through six different radiator fan units, custom-built dual oil and coolant overflow tanks, installed a dual-reservoir brake master cylinder, and swapped on an independent rear suspension setup that Shelby toyed with but shelved due to increased production costs. The independent rear suspension also allows for four-wheel disc brakes to replace the original rear drums. Far more than just another Wimbledon White Mustang with Guardsman Blue racing stripes, a roll cage and bucket seats further hint at the Competition Model’s performance potential, as does a front fascia that Brock himself designed to improve aero and brake cooling back in the 1960s.
Michael Teo Van Runkle
Mustang GT350 Roadster Street Impressions
I climb in and tighten down the five-point harness. After eight years of hard service, that intimidating V8 roars to life with a single crank of the ignition and a quick pump of the gas pedal. Despite the inescapable vintage vibe, so much low-end V8 torque scoots this Mustang right along as I let the clutch out slowly. I let the oil temps creep up before redlining.
But the car proved itself easily accessible, even for an amateur, with firm suspension that nonetheless smooths rougher streets and only jounces over the biggest bumps and potholes. It took a moment to adjust to the thin-rimmed steering wheel, notchy shifter, and firm brakes. On public roads, Marietta urged me to push the car harder and harder, calling the drivetrain “unbreakable,” and I do my best. Thanks to all that radiator testing, the coolant temp never climbs above 195 degrees.
Even opening up to only three-quarters throttle, the deep V8 burble transitions to a screaming wail as we near redline. I hope Marietta knows the local cops; if they don’t see us overtaking traffic far above posted speed limits, they’ll certainly hear us from blocks away. Then, after a loop back to the OVC shop, Marietta insists he drive for a quick session, too, if just to utterly blow my mind.