MUSTANG XP-R : a 71 fastback pro-touring concept with a REAR ENGINE

[Claude Thibodeau]

HI!

I must admit that the 71/73 Mustang was my least favorite model: too long, too heavy, squarish... Well, why not try to build something different as a design challenge? 

In the 60's, Ford experimented with the rear engine MACH 2 concept, even with a rear-engined  70 Boss 429 Mustang...

So, the AMT kit (not their best ever!) received a shave and a smoothing job, a recessed mesh grille, bust mostly, a custom chassis made-up of two (2) Johan 70 Eldorado front halves, joined at the center, moving the Ford BB (with Eldo's Latham supercharger)to the rear, using the Cad FWD axle. Two-seat cabin, and scratchbuilt interior, rear bulkhead, front "trunk", hinged hood and louvers, exhaust, etc. Rolling stock from Revell's 2014 Snap Corvette. Tamya fine metallic silver + Mr. Hobby topcoat. BMF & Molotow accents. 

Hours if fun with styrene!

CT 

[espo]

Extensive reengineering of the entire kit. The chassis looks very believable as does the engine. Great looking paint work and the interior. Ford could have sold far more of these instead of the pedestrian model of the GT40 that they offered at one time. 

[SpikeSchumacher]

Claude, you never cease to amaze! ?

[cobraman]

Clean, clean, clean ! Another fine custom as we always expect from The House of Claude !

[happy grumpy]

Another beautiful demonstration of your design skills and craftsmanship. I agree with you on this generation of mustang not being your favorite. 66 to 69 does it for me.

Impeccable travail Claude.

[Kah puts]

Claude what planet are you from, your stuff is outta this world ?

[michelle]

looks very very awesome  great work 
though the 71-73 mustangs are my favorite classic mustang body style 

[Claude Thibodeau]

5 hours ago, espo said:

Extensive reengineering of the entire kit. The chassis looks very believable as does the engine. Great looking paint work and the interior. Ford could have sold far more of these instead of the pedestrian model of the GT40 that they offered at one time. 

Hi David!

Thank you. I think it would be fairly easy to duplicate in 1/1. Someday...

CT

[Spottedlaurel]

Another stunner from you Claude, with the customary inventive thinking and fantastic workmanship.

[Dragonhawk1066]

Fantastic custom work and very imaginative idea!! Exceptional looking Mustang!!

[Rattlecan Dan]

Ford should be listening...but NOOoooo! Great work. Thanks for sharing.

[XYHARRY]

Fantastic concept build Claude. The engineering in this is amazing. In 1:1 this would be a Sema show stopper. Well done. Oh, could you please post a picture of the recessed mesh grill.

Cheers, David. ??

[Claude Thibodeau]

21 hours ago, SpikeSchumacher said:

Claude, you never cease to amaze! ?

Hi Mathias!

Thanks for the flattering comment. Pressure, pressure.... LOL.

CT

[vamach1]

Cool idea.  This is what Foose should have built.

[crazyjim]

Excellent idea and engineering.

[Claude Thibodeau]

On 3/13/2023 at 12:00 PM, cobraman said:

Clean, clean, clean ! Another fine custom as we always expect from The House of Claude !

Hi Ray!

Thank you for your unfailing support, much appreciated!

CT

[grodudulle77]

Very nice build, awesome work Claude !! ??

[Phildaupho]

Very well done and extremely cool. Definitely room for golf clubs in the frunk !!

[Claude Thibodeau]

On 3/13/2023 at 12:50 PM, happy grumpy said:

Another beautiful demonstration of your design skills and craftsmanship. I agree with you on this generation of mustang not being your favorite. 66 to 69 does it for me.

Impeccable travail Claude.

Salut Mario!

Thank you for the kind words. Hope we'll meet at the RAM expo on april 2nd. 

CT

[Jonathan]

Incredible!  Beautiful idea and execution.

[FatboyLowrider]

Wow! Sometimes I cant even fathom the places these builds go or how someone can be so dang creative and execute something so well. Excellent work.

[89AKurt]

Killer execution!  I would be that guy in the movie Christine.  ?  Whenever I build a lousy kit, it turns into a junker, what you did is amazing.

[slusher]

Impressive Sir!

[FLHCAHZ]

Amazing!  Well Done.

[paul alflen]

Way better than the Foose Goose real car. Very radical but Fabulous! Kar Kraft in Brighton, Mi  ( they built the Boss 429 Mustangs for FoMoco )built one prototype 1969 Boss 429 rear engine car. So, this could have been possible! I like it!