Our Work
At Tinspeed Performance, we're proud of our work and the passion we bring to every project. From restoring classic cars to customizing your dream vehicle, we're here to turn your automotive visions into reality. Let us help you create the classic car you've always dreamed of!
Shelby GT 500 "WWSD"
If Carol Shelby were alive today and he had all the technology we have now (and an unlimited budget) what would he do? Well, here's what we think...
​
Getting the vehicle
Forrest Sanco, an avid Mustang fanatic, owned the car prior to it coming into our hands. Unfortunately, Franco disappeared over the Atlantic in his private plane while traveling on his honeymoon to the Bahamas. Forrest was restoring three cars at the time, we purchased the Shelby alongside our Boss 302 from his best friend, John Patrick who had saved the cars.
Thinking Like Shelby
After Restoring the Boss back to Concours condition, we wanted to do something special with the Shelby. Everyone restores them back to original...but what would Carroll Shelby do if he had the car of yesterday, and the tech of tomorrow? Once we got that Idea we went wild.
Preparing for Power
For this build we knew right away we wanted power, and we wanted the Godzilla, But we had to prepare the Shelby. Step 1, Changing the Suspension. Using AJE'S Colt 65 Suspension Kit and dual adjustable coil-overs we were Able to preserve the original Shelby shock towers while giving us the racing level performance Shelby would've wanted.
Bracing Ourselves
Next we added a TCP rear G-bar suspension, for improved traction, and a Ford 9-inch rear axle with Detroit true-track gears (because it's the best). Next to stiffen the Chassis in preparation for power we installed TCP subframe connectors with an X-brace. For stopping power, and to fit the offset of the wheels we installed 4-piston pro-start aerospace disc brakes with a Willwood master cylinder.
The Godzilla
The monster we've all been waiting for... We bought a 0-mile pull out 7.3 Ford Godzilla. Which features a traditional Big Block, single overhead cam, push-rod engine, Like Shelby would have used back in the day. To the Monster we added ported heads, a stage 2 camshaft and a Brian Tooley intake manifold. Backed by a Tremec TKX 5-speed to handle the enormous torque produced.
Modern Flair & Classic Style
To capitalize on modern amenities we installed a custom sound system from HP audio, and LED head and tail lights, Because why not? For the classic touches we installed 17 inch 10-spoke Shelby style wheels with the widest tires we could fit under them. Additionally we added the "Shelby stripes" because it's what Shelby would've wanted.
"Cause it just looks good!"
For the interior, we installed Custom leather seats, dash and center console by Triple D upholstery. We also added a Mustangs to Fear single piece headliner, for more headroom, and to top of this luxury Ode to Carroll.
1970 Mustang Boss 302
As every classic car lover knows the hallmark of restoration is the Concours build. If we had a Time Machine and went back to the day a car was driven off the lot what would we see, and how close can we get it to that condition?
Setting the Standard
Purchased from the same previous owner as the Shelby, comes the Boss 302, however the boss has a special story. As the High school daily Driver of Forrest Sanco, we had to restore it to its former glory thus began the project, a full nut and bolt restoration with the goal of living up to concours standards. As you can see by the pictures shown, that would require a lot of work.
Back to Basics
First, we had to have it painted back to its original factory color, the iconic Grabber Blue. With Paint and reflective decal stripes the body was looking right. Thanks to the professional work of Wayne Brown nearby in Waco Texas, it came back ready for us to get to work.
And so it began...
As many builds do we started with the suspension, This Called for a full rebuild, Everything was replaced and replicated. Front control arms had to be completely rebuilt, painted a metal grey color and half-dipped in black paint to match the original factory style. The engine block which had to be found with the correct date code, also had to be painted the perfect shade of "Corporate blue."
The Cost of Concours
It's safe to say that factories aren't making things like they used to, in fact some things they aren't making at all anymore. Finding exact parts can be pretty pricey, believe it or not a distributor (which was nearly impossible to find) was 1,600$. The smog pump, which had to be reproduced, cost over 2,000$! It's always important to know a Concours build comes with a Concours price.
The Devils in the details
Think it's as simple as replacing parts, think again. Everything had to be done just like the factory whether intentional or unintentional it was about perfection. For example we found the exact paint for the underside of this Boss by referencing the original paint on the underbelly of another mustang we had from the same DeerBorne Plant this perfect shade of "Slop grey" was an important piece of the build.
So why silver?
If we were so meticulous why did it only get a silver...Ironically it came down to 57/1000 points in deductions and 7 of them...cleanliness. 950-1000 points was the gold standard Leaving us at a mere 7 points away. A good amount of the remaining deductions came down to wrong color bolts, and similar tiny details. The valve stems on the spare tire...1 point. Luckily, this was our first time and almost all of those deductions have been remedied since.
For the love of FoMoCo
The beauty of the Boss is not only fun to look at but the details that are found in factory restorations are a love letter to the history of Ford Motor Co. Things you might not consider pretty like the "slop grey" paint on the underside of the car are just plain perfect in a concours build. This was a build were proud of and that we hope previous owner Forrest Sanco would be proud of as well.
Image taken by Forrest Sanco when he originally owned the vehicle in Highschool.
