Clyde’s Journey Building a Killer ‘68 Mustang GT Restomod
When you blend the vision of a true Mustang aficionado like Clyde with the skill and passion of KZN’s finest automotive craftsmen, you get a restomod masterpiece — one of the most jaw-dropping 1968 Ford Mustang GT builds we’ve ever laid eyes on.
But don’t get it twisted — Clyde wasn’t just a spectator in this build. No, this guy is a hands-on gearhead through and through. He rolled up his sleeves and pieced together the majority of the car himself, right in his own garage. The paintwork and some of the heavy engineering? Those he entrusted only to trusted pros who would deliver nothing but top-notch quality, exactly to his uncompromising standards.
From the start, Clyde had a crystal-clear vision for this Mustang. No shortcuts, no compromises. He wasn’t about sourcing local parts off the shelf — he took the hunt seriously, scouring eBay to cherry-pick every component, including the car itself. For him, the thrill of the chase was as much part of the build as the final drive.
When the Mustang arrived in a shipping container stacked with crates of imported parts, Clyde stripped it down to bare metal. The body was then sent to KZN Panel Beaters, where multiple coats of deep, flawless red paint transformed it into a showstopper.
Originally a bright red Mustang, Clyde’s preference for darker hues (most of his other muscle cars are black) gave him pause. But the vibrant red was just right — the perfect foil for the fresh chrome trim, badges, and bumpers. Jezelle Panel Beaters handled the meticulous reassembly before Clyde took over for engine and interior installation.
Under the hood, the beast is a Ford 302 V8 that Mark at Macc Vert Precision Engineering treated to a full precision overhaul. Power flows from an Edelbrock performance camshaft and a polished EnduraShine intake manifold that’s as pretty as it is efficient. Feeding fuel is a trusty Holley carb, while an MSD ignition kit sparks the fire. The March Performance pulleys not only look slick but keep everything running tight. And when this Mustang roars to life, the dual RoadMaster exhaust pipes deliver a spine-tingling growl that warns all nearby — this is not your average pony car.
Clyde didn’t stop at just raw power. He knew true performance demands attention to detail throughout. Suspension goodies like coilovers and rack and pinion steering came straight from Total Control, Mustang specialists who know the game. The stunner’s 18-inch Boss wheels conceal giant Wilwood rotors and 4-pot calipers — ready to rein in all that V8 fury.
This car was built to drive hard, not sit pretty. That’s why the Hurst shifter is hooked up to a 4-speed top loader gearbox, which teams perfectly with a stout 9-inch differential and an 11-inch Centreforce Performance clutch. No lazy automatic boxes here — just raw, mechanical connection that fuels the joy of every gearshift.
Step inside and you’re greeted by an interior that’s a time capsule — but with a restomod twist. Clyde imported every single piece himself, personally installing them so the oxblood leather seats feel like a direct portal to 1968. Aside from the Hurst shifter, everything stays true to Ford’s original design. Even the vintage two-knob radio sits proudly in the dash.
Yet there’s a modern touch hiding in plain sight: an Alpine sound system, expertly installed by Rowen from East Rand Customs, with the head unit tucked away in the cubbyhole — perfectly preserving the classic cabin look while delivering killer sound.
The result? A Mustang GT that doesn’t just show off — it commands respect. This build proves that greatness lives in the details, and that a clear vision combined with skilled hands can turn a dream into an icon on wheels.
