Abandoned 1966 Mustang Gets Rebuilt With 427 V8
Owners of classic muscle cars can see how a neglected Fastback was rebuilt with custom metalwork and a high-end paint job.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Car Culture
Old Anvil Speed has completed a restomod of an orphaned 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback fitted with a 427 engine, and plans to display the car at the SEMA show. The project was revived after the Mustang sat in limbo following its owner's death.
Why it matters
Abandoned classic cars often lose value and structural integrity while sitting unclaimed, and this build shows how a shop can bring one back to a finished, showable condition. For enthusiasts and owners of older muscle cars, it illustrates what a full restoration and restomod involves and what it takes to rescue a neglected vehicle.
The build uses a 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback with a 427 engine, and Wilwood brakes were already installed when the car was first brought in. The project moved from an unclaimed car in late 2022 to a restart in late 2024, with completion targeted within one to two years.
The players
Old Anvil Speed
A custom automotive shop run by Paul and Jenna Bosserman that builds restomods and restorations of classic American muscle cars.
Phil and Michelle Wirthgen
The buyers who acquired the orphaned 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback and commissioned its rebuild.
SEMA
The Specialty Equipment Market Association, whose annual show is a major venue for custom and performance automotive builds.
The details
The team stripped the Mustang down, performed extensive custom metalworking, and applied a high-end paint job. The shock towers were removed to make room for the powerplant, and the battery was moved to the interior to free up space. The work on bodywork took about two years before the paint stage.
Timeline
2018: Paul and Jenna Bosserman took over Fast Eddie's shop and started Old Anvil Speed.
Late 2022: The Mustang returned to Old Anvil Speed's shop after its owner had died.
Late 2024: The Mustang project resumed with the goal of completion.
Planned: The team intends to display the finished Mustang at the SEMA show.
The Home Front
Restomod work like this sits within the broader car-culture market, where SEMA serves as the main showcase for custom builds. Rescued and restored classics continue to draw collector interest, and projects like this one reflect that demand.
If you own an older classic car sitting unused, check its condition and paperwork before it deteriorates, and talk with a qualified restoration shop about what a rebuild would involve. Any work touching the car's electrical or fuel systems should be left to a licensed professional.
The takeaway
Restorations like this one show that even an abandoned classic can be brought back to a showable state with patient, skilled work. If you are considering a project on an older car, keep its documentation and title in order and get a written scope and timeline from the shop before work begins.
What happens next
The finished Mustang is planned for display at the SEMA show, though the source does not give a specific date for that event.
Further reading
For more on custom builds and the enthusiast world behind them, explore Car Culture coverage.
