What Makes This 1967 Ford Mustang So Different From the Rest?
You’ve seen classic Mustangs before—maybe at a local car show, maybe in a movie chase scene. But chances are, you’ve never seen one quite like this. Out of the nearly 115,000 fastbacks Ford built in 1967, only two were ever reimagined by the legendary Italian design house Zagato. That’s right: a slice of American muscle, dressed up with Italian flair. It’s the kind of oddball collaboration that turns heads and starts conversations wherever it goes.
How Did Zagato Transform the Mustang’s Iconic Look?
Let’s get straight to the point: Zagato didn’t just slap on a badge and call it a day. The Milanese coachbuilder gave the Mustang a dramatic facelift, starting with a completely new nose. Gone were the familiar round headlights; in their place, rectangular Carello units that looked more at home on a European coupe. The hood was stretched and sculpted, featuring a bold, low-profile scoop that hints at something special lurking underneath. The grille? Still unmistakably Mustang, but now narrower and more aggressive, flanked by turn signals perched above the bumper. And the whole thing was resprayed in a striking Holly Green, a color that pops in the sunlight and whispers exclusivity.
If you squint, you might catch echoes of the Citroen Ami 8 or even the original Ford Capri in the front-end treatment—though those cars actually came later. There’s also a curious resemblance to Ford’s own Mach 1 concept from 1966, which previewed the look of the 1969 models. Did Zagato take inspiration from Detroit, or was it just a case of great minds thinking alike? The jury’s still out.
What’s Under the Hood—And Is It Still a True Mustang?
Beneath the Italian suit, this Mustang keeps its American heart. Power comes from the original A-code 289 cubic inch (4.7-liter) V8, a mid-range engine in the Mustang lineup back in the day. With a four-barrel carburetor, it was good for about 225 gross horsepower—a healthy figure for the era, especially when paired with a four-speed manual transmission. No wild engine swaps or turbochargers here. Zagato’s changes were all about aesthetics and exclusivity, not raw speed.
Inside, the modifications are subtle but effective. The front seats are trimmed in crisp white vinyl with black inserts, a nod to the kind of bespoke interiors Italian coachbuilders are famous for. Otherwise, the cabin remains classic Mustang: simple, functional, and ready for the open road.
Why Is This Car So Rare—and What’s Its Story?
Here’s where things get really interesting. Only two Mustangs ever received the Zagato treatment: this fastback and a GT350. That’s it. This particular car was originally delivered to a European owner, who drove it until the 1980s before parking it for a long rest. It was rescued from storage in the 1990s, lovingly restored, and has since made appearances at prestigious events like the Mille Miglia—a legendary Italian road rally that’s as much about style as it is about speed.
Now, it’s up for auction, giving collectors a rare shot at owning a one-of-a-kind blend of American muscle and Italian artistry. For context, Mustangs from this era have seen a surge in value over the past decade, especially those with unique provenance or celebrity connections. According to Hagerty’s Price Guide, top-condition 1967 fastbacks can fetch six figures, but a Zagato-modified example? That’s a whole different ballgame.
How Do Experts and Enthusiasts View This Unusual Mashup?
Not everyone agrees on the car’s looks. Some purists might wrinkle their noses at the altered front end, calling it a step too far from the Mustang’s original lines. Others see it as a bold experiment—a rolling piece of design history that captures a moment when American and European automotive cultures collided.
Jay Leno, a noted car collector and Mustang enthusiast, once said that the best collector cars are the ones with a story. This Mustang has stories in spades: built in Detroit, reborn in Milan, raced across Italy, and now headed to a new chapter. It’s the kind of car that makes people stop and ask questions, even if they’re not sure what they’re looking at.
Is It Worth the Hype—and the Likely Price Tag?
Let’s be real: this isn’t the prettiest Mustang ever made. But beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. What you’re really buying here is rarity, history, and a conversation starter that’s unlike anything else on the road. For collectors who crave the unusual, or for anyone who appreciates the intersection of American brawn and Italian style, this car is pure catnip.
The big takeaway? Chasing automotive perfection is overrated—sometimes, it’s the quirks and the bold choices that make a car truly unforgettable. If you’re thinking about adding something unique to your garage, maybe start by looking for the oddball, the outlier, the one-off. You might just find your own slice of magic.