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Wilit: The Man, The Myth, His '66 Mustang
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What is a Mustang Sprint?
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1966 Mustang Sprint
· 200ci Inline 6 Cylinder
· 3 Speed Cruise-O-Matic
· 3.20:1 7.5 inch Rear Axle
· Chrome Rocker Trim
· Tahoe Turquoise Interior
· Wire Spoked Hub Caps
· Center Console
· Wimbledon White
Factory Options
· Power Steering
Modifications
· 302ci V8
· Hooker Headers
· Purple Horny "Mufflers"
· Edelbrock Torker Intake Manifold
· Holley 650 Double Pumper
· Holley "Red" Electric Fuel Pump
· Hi-Po 289 Air Cleaner w/K&N Filter
· Derale 16" Electric Fan
· 3 Row Radiator
· Mallory Unilte Distributor
· Mallory Hyfire IV Ignition
· Mallory Hyfire Coil
· Cobra Valve Covers
· Power Steering Delete
· Battery Relocated to Trunk
· B&M Mega Shifter
· GT350R Front Apron
· 8 inch 3.20:1 Rear Axle
· Monte Carlo Bar
· 620 lbs Front Springs
· Lakewood Traction Bars
· Sunpro 2-5/8" Tach
· Simpson 3" Lap Belts
· 15 inch Slotted Mags
· Shaved Door Handles
· Keyless Entry
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The Mustang has gone down in history as the fastest selling car. In a just 18 months, the Mustang had sold 1,000,000 cars, where it took GM nearly 40 years to sell the same ammount of Corvettes. Due to the overwhelming demand for the 289 V8, a shortage ensued. Ford Marketing Exec's came up with the idea of making a "Limited Edition" Mustang to both commemerate the selling of the one millionth car, and to also satisfy the public's demand for Mustangs. The Sprint came in 2 package options, the "A" package and "B" package. Both had Wimbledon White Exterior paint, with Tahoe Turquoise interior. The full length center console was also standard with the Sprint package. The only difference between the "A" and "B" packages were the transmissions. Where the "A" came with a 3 speed manual, and the "B" came with the 3 speed Cruise-O-Matic.
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| This being my second Mustang (purchased after the '68 was totaled), I thought I knew a lot about Mustangs. This car proved me wrong. When I purchased the car, the 302 was already installed. I knew enough to decode the VIN, and knew the T code was for the straight 6. What I didn't know was there was a difference between the 6 cylinder and 8 cylinder suspension. On the test drive I noticed a weird noise coming from the front passenger side wheel. Since it only occured on right turns, I assumed it was something rubbing on the wheel, and thought nothing more of it. I immediately drove over to my friend Bryan's house, picked him up, and drove to pick up Remy from work. As we turned the corner onto Bryan's street, the car made that weird noise for the last time. Halfway through the turn, the wheel came off, and the front end slammed down on the lower control arm.
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| As Remy looked out the window at the shower of sparks, he began to yell, "Stop! Stop!" as I responded, "I can't! I can't!" With the drum still attached to the wheel, there was no way for the brakes to get pressure to the other three wheels. As the tow truck operator began to take me and the Mustang home, he asked me if that car had a V8. I said, "Yeah, a 302." where he responded, "You know you've got the wrong suspension on that car?" Gee, thanks for clueing me in on the painfully obvious. The next morning I inspected the damage and found the spindle had actually sheared off. I was able to track down a used 8 inch rear end, and a set of V8 spindles. It wasn't until months later that I found out the drop onto the lower control arm had not only damaged the control arm, but also bent the shock tower 1/2 of an inch inwards. This was only the start of the money pit known as my '66 Mustang.
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