The 2026 SEMA Show features two classic Ford restomods that combine powerful V8 engines, traditional styling and practical upgrades without going overboard on customization. A 1966 Mustang Fastback and a 1985 F-250 pickup showcase a different approach to classic car builds, focusing on performance and everyday driving rather than extreme modifications.
While some specialty aftermarket vehicles carry seven-figure price tags and enormous horsepower figures, these two Fords keep things simple, delivering impressive power while preserving the character of their original designs.
1966 Ford Mustang R125 Delivers 360 HP
The R125 Mustang starts with a 1966 Mustang Fastback and replaces its original engine with a 347-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) fuel-injected V8.
The naturally aspirated engine produces 360 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. There are no turbochargers or superchargers, just a straightforward V8 setup designed to deliver classic performance.
Power is paired with a Tremec TKX-600 five-speed manual transmission, giving the Mustang an engaging driving experience.
Although its weight has not been disclosed, the car is expected to have a considerably better power-to-weight ratio than a modern Mustang EcoBoost. Its V8 engine also delivers a sound and character that the EcoBoost cannot match.
The build retains the Mustang’s familiar styling while avoiding the excessive modifications often found in high-end custom cars.
The project is designed to respect the original Mustang’s character without treating it like a museum piece. Instead, it is intended to be driven, studied and experienced as a complete example of classic Ford customization.
1985 Ford F-250 Gets a 575-HP V8 Upgrade
The second standout Ford at the 2026 SEMA Show is a classic F-250 built by Matt Johnson of Doc Johnson Restorations.
Johnson initially contacted Ford Racing about installing a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine in an old Toyota Land Cruiser. The project eventually took a different direction, with Ford offering to help with a V8 engine while Johnson had an old F-250 sitting behind his shop.
The pickup began as an abandoned ranch truck that Johnson purchased for $800. He parked it after the engine overheated, but the vehicle eventually became the foundation for the restoration.
Under the hood, the F-250 now features a Ford Racing 460-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V8 producing 575 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque.
The truck rides on a modified version of Ford’s Twin Traction Beam suspension, a pseudo-independent setup used on the company’s pickups for decades until the late 1990s.
A friend handled the paint and bodywork, while the truck retained its original 41-year-old chassis. The finished build looks like a well-equipped pickup from 1985 rather than an extensively modified modern show truck.
Classic Ford Restomods Built for the Road
Both projects take a restrained approach to customization, focusing on performance upgrades without replacing the vehicles’ original identities.
The Mustang combines classic Fastback styling with a naturally aspirated V8 and manual transmission, while the F-250 pairs a powerful engine with its original chassis and modified suspension.
Rather than creating vehicles that are too valuable or extreme to enjoy, these two classic Fords at the 2026 SEMA Show were built with one clear purpose: to be driven.
