CR Mustang Villain Is a Modern Muscle Car for the Road and for the Track

But, before we set out on our Mustang journey, we must get accustomed to the people behind this masterpiece. Who are they? Classic Recreations is an American-based company with its origins dating back 15 years ago. It has been the dream of one Jason Engel, who first started it by opening a small garage in Yukon, Oklahoma. They now specialize in classic car restorations and bespoke builds. Moreover, their foremost expertise is building officially licensed Shelby vehicles, made as "continuation cars," which means they are registered in the Shelby database.

Having now opened another location in Garland, Texas, they revise the American muscle-car heritage by rebuilding the old legends into up-to-date modernized versions packing all new technology. From performance engines to disc brakes, bespoke licensed carbon fiber, and modern sound systems with all the connectivity the current driver needs, these cars are works of art that can be used on a daily basis without worrying even once about the problems that come with classic car ownership .

And now, the Villain. This awesome machine is based on the 1967 and 1968 generation of the Ford Mustang Fastback. It impresses with its custom styling consisting of a lowered front valance, custom fender air intakes, inverted B-pillar scoops, fender flares, and slimmer rocker panels.

This mighty machine is equipped with an equally fierce drivetrain. Under the hood, there can gracefully sit a selection of two powerplants: a 427ci Ford Performance crate engine developing a cool 545 hp, or a Coyote Gen 3 5.0L/302ci Ford Performance crate engine with a horsepower count of 490.

The latter engine choice comes with the possibility of a performance upgrade by using a Stage 2 Whipple Supercharger and twin fuel pumps, a combination that results in 770 hp, making the Mustang Villain no slouch on the road or on track. Gearbox-wise, you can either go with a Tremec six-speed manual, or an automatic.

Have no worries about the drivability and handling of this vehicle. The steering is a power-assisted conversion using a rack and pinion mechanism, and the wheels are Forgeline 18x8 in the front and 18x9.5 in the back. Furthermore, you can find high-performance Michelin Z-Rated 225/40/18 tires up front, and 275/35/18 section tires enveloping the rear wheels.

With so much power available at the twitch of your foot, this menacing Villain must stop accordingly. To facilitate its braking ability, the masters at Classic Recreations have fitted the vehicle with all-around 4-piston Wilwood calipers with 12-inch slotted, cross-drilled, and vented rotors and. The cherry on top of the breaking system represents the adjustable rear proportioning valve aimed to finetune the breaking balance for optimal performance.

Those infamous engines need a soundtrack to remember, too. For that, the vehicle comes with a dual 2.5-inch mandrel bent exhaust system, with BBK ceramic coated headers and Magnaflow mufflers. This system will ensure that the Villain will be a V8 concert hall on wheels, and of course, most certainly pleasuring your beloved neighbors in the mornings.

The car's agile nature is also sustained by its specially developed suspension consisting of coilover front and rear assemblies coupled with oversized sway bars both in the front and rear sections of the vehicle. To get the most of the Classic Recreations Mustang Villain fastback, you can also specify a complete Pro Touring Track Package intended for intense track days and regular spirited driving.

The exterior design of this machine is an engineering piece of art in petrolhead's eyes. Starting with the dual-air intake valves on the hood, the Classic Recreations custom hand-painted stripes, continuing to the custom exterior fiberglass enhancements and sequential taillights, make this automobile a real work of beauty. Of course, custom exterior colors are also available upon customer request.

The interior environment is also a well-thought placement of leather inserts, chrome custom-designed classic gauges, Sparco aluminum steering wheel, and, not least, the well-known Procar Elite Seats. The seatbelts are a 5-point Camlock system, commanding the car's racing credentials. Moreover, the Villain can be fitted with a Safelink theft recovery system and a modern Bluetooth CD player coupled with a Kicker amplifier and speakers, and a Stillwater Designs custom subwoofer for the (not so many) times when you finished listening to the screaming ponies under the hood.

All of this awesomeness has its price, for sure. The base CR Mustang Villain starts from $184,900, but it can be fitted with many optional packages that can up the numbers well over $200k. But all this luxury and performance attained in classic form, hand-built to the most strict standards by the very passionate people, is most certainly worth it for the right buyer. You very well get what you pay for, and then some.