Automotive

The 1,000-hp 1969 Mustang Mach 1 "Hitman" with John Wick paint job

The 1,000-hp 1969 Mustang Mach 1 "Hitman" with John Wick paint job
A modified restoration, the Hitman Mustang Mach 1 is a modernized 1969 classic with a John Wick-inspired paint job
A modified restoration, the Hitman Mustang Mach 1 is a modernized 1969 classic with a John Wick-inspired paint job
View 12 Images
A modified restoration, the Hitman Mustang Mach 1 is a modernized 1969 classic with a John Wick-inspired paint job
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A modified restoration, the Hitman Mustang Mach 1 is a modernized 1969 classic with a John Wick-inspired paint job
The custom paint on the 1969 Mustang Mach 1 Hitman includes Mach 1 striping and spoilers derived from the original
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The custom paint on the 1969 Mustang Mach 1 Hitman includes Mach 1 striping and spoilers derived from the original
Inspired by the film John Wick, the paint scheme on the Mach 1 Hitman is immediately recognizable to fans
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Inspired by the film John Wick, the paint scheme on the Mach 1 Hitman is immediately recognizable to fans
The American Racing wheels on the Mach 1 Hitman are an inch and a half wider at the rear
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The American Racing wheels on the Mach 1 Hitman are an inch and a half wider at the rear
The Mach 1 rear spoiler on the Hitman is period-derived and the large stainless exhaust tips can be seen below the bumper in this photo
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The Mach 1 rear spoiler on the Hitman is period-derived and the large stainless exhaust tips can be seen below the bumper in this photo
The 5.0-liter Coyote crate engine used in the Mach 1 Hitman has been souped to 1,000 horsepower of output
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The 5.0-liter Coyote crate engine used in the Mach 1 Hitman has been souped to 1,000 horsepower of output
Other available engines to order for a customized Mach 1 include a BOSS 302, 363, or 429 crate engine outputting 345, 507, or 670 horsepower, respectively
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Other available engines to order for a customized Mach 1 include a BOSS 302, 363, or 429 crate engine outputting 345, 507, or 670 horsepower, respectively
The interior of the Mustang Mach 1 Hitman includes period-reproduction seating, customized instruments, and other details
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The interior of the Mustang Mach 1 Hitman includes period-reproduction seating, customized instruments, and other details
The Lacarra Aluminum steering wheel in the Mustang Mach 1 Hitman has been wood-wrapped
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The Lacarra Aluminum steering wheel in the Mustang Mach 1 Hitman has been wood-wrapped
The Scat Elite Highback seats in the Mach 1 Hitman are embraced by 5-point harnesses
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The Scat Elite Highback seats in the Mach 1 Hitman are embraced by 5-point harnesses
Instruments in the Mustang Mach 1 Hitman are custom to the car
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Instruments in the Mustang Mach 1 Hitman are custom to the car
The Tremec 6-speed manual transmission features in the Mach 1 Hitman
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The Tremec 6-speed manual transmission features in the Mach 1 Hitman
View gallery - 12 images

In Oklahoma there's a company called Classic Recreations that restores or reproduces classic muscle cars but with an injection of modern tech. The company's latest effort is called the "Hitman" and it's a glorious 1969 Mustang Mach 1 restomod with a John Wick-inspired paint job.

The car's bodywork is an actual Mustang Mach 1 restored to factory-new condition by Classic Recreations. A Ford 32-valve 5.0-liter Coyote V8 32 valve crate engine with a BOSS 302 intake, together producing 1,000 horsepower (746 kW), is then added. Also in the package is a six-speed manual transmission from Tremec, a 9-inch 3.50 ratio rear end with Posi-Traction, and tubular subframe connectors. Engine management systems put power to the ground and a custom 2.5-inch Mandrel stainless steel manifold and exhaust system and Magnaflow mufflers let the growl commence. A custom 18-gallon fuel cell from Rick's Tanks provides the gas.

The Hitman Mach 1 has a custom suspension with coilovers in front and Total Control rear coilovers at the back. Front and rear oversized sway bars keep the body and frame under control and a powered rack and pinion steering system adds driver control. Lightweight 18-inch American Racing Wheels are clad with Michelin Pilot Sport 2s in 225/40 up front and 315/30 at the rear, while six-piston Wilwood calipers with slotted and cross-drilled rotors are found behind all four wheels. Brake bias is controlled through an adjustable rear proportioning valve.

Other available engines to order for a customized Mach 1 include a BOSS 302, 363, or 429 crate engine outputting 345, 507, or 670 horsepower, respectively
Other available engines to order for a customized Mach 1 include a BOSS 302, 363, or 429 crate engine outputting 345, 507, or 670 horsepower, respectively

An aluminum crossflow radiator from BeCool cools the engine and an "Old Air" air conditioning system does the same for the cabin, while a custom-designed JVC head unit and speaker layout with a Kicker amp provides the audio accompaniment. Inside there's also a woodgrain steering wheel, five-point seat harnesses, 200-mph gauges, TMI Mustang interior panels, and a cosmetic rollbar to keep things authentic.

The Mustang Mach 1 Hitman is painted in two-tone "Hitman" gray and black with a factory style, period-correct chin spoiler and rear decklid spoiler. Mach 1 badges also feature.

The Mach 1 Hitman shown here was custom-built to owner specifications and is the first Mach 1 to be built by Classic Restorations under official license from Ford. The company can customize and build to order another, if you have the (unspecified amount of) cash required.

Source: Classic Recreations

View gallery - 12 images
6 comments
6 comments
buzzclick
That's a sweet ride. Too bad no prices are mentioned, but my guess it's in the couple of hundred grand range. There's no way a 302/5 liter engine can put out 1000 horses without boost, and those units on either side of the engine must be superchargers. They're too far in front to be turbos.
Troublesh00ter
Now THAT is a proper-looking Mustang. They don't mention it, but an independent rear suspension would be a vast improvement over the original live rear axle, but that's my only criticism.
Raleigh Waller
An aluminum top tank is unusual for a crossflow radiator; are you sure that is right?
Bruce H. Anderson
I believe they are turbos, headers sweep front, discharge to the wells. Seeking large (unspecified amount of) cash donations to buy one.
buzzclick
I think you are correct Bruce. They certainly do look like turbos and don't seem belt-driven. Has to be the longest plumbing I've ever seen on a turbo setup. I went to their website but no mention of turbos. @Troublesh00ter...they say they're "using the latest chassis and drivetrain technology", so your thoughts are also bang on. And these Classic Recreations "start" at $169,000. Jeez, if you can't afford an overpriced exotic job, these babies are a bargain in comparison, with a whole lot of street cred.
warren52nz
I don't know why anyone would increase the horsepower on Mustangs of that era. They had about a 60-40 front to back weight ratio and all they ever did in drag races was sit and spin up the tires while whoever was challenging them disappeared into the horizon.
I watched a 390 Mustang of that era get absolutely demolished in a drag with a 273 Barracuda. The Stang put lots of rubber on the road though if that's what you want.