Maier's 66 Mustang Goes From Racecar to Family Car

[Maier]

The Blue 66’ Mustang that has been an icon of Maier Racing was a wedding gift from Mike Maier to his wife, Brianne back in 2005. What started as a fairly stock mustang with a 289, 4 speed, 9 inch rear end, and Maier fiberglass exploded into something that they would have never expected. This car became the test bed for many of Mike’s suspension ideas. In its full race trim this car was fitted with a Roush Yates engine and transmission making about 825 horsepower and 550 ft-lbs of torque, full Maier Front Coilover kit, and finally the Maier 3 link Extreme Rear Suspension.

This car has been to tons of autocrosses and even a few trackdays and performed awesome! Now what we want to do is show that our suspension system is not only a great system to put on your autocross or track car but is also great for street driving. In the next few weeks we will show the progression of Ol’ Blue from a top autocross contender to the family car which will take Mike, Brianne, and their 2 young kids from Livermore, Ca to Portola, Ca which is in the mountains North West of Lake Tahoe. Surprisingly the car will only need a few small modifications which will be outlined in the next few weeks and finally we will document the trip up north and finish at the August Goodguys Carshow in Pleasanton.

Since the Roush Yates motor blew up a few months ago we have since had a stock 302 motor in the car. To get it ready for Mike’s trip we are going to do the following;

• Install the heater core (since we will really need it in August)
• Do some maintenance on our C&R Radiator
• Change out our rockers for smoother ride
• Change from the JRI shocks with the Maier Race valving to the Maier Street valving
• Install a Wilwood street brake pad compound
• Install Billy Boat Mufflers (Mike likes loud things but the kids need to sleep)
Without further a due we will start with Ol’ Blue in autocross form.


Photo Courtesy of Alvin Cheng

[Bryce]

very cool. I cant wait for more pics

[Ron Sutton]

This is going to be cool. I subscribed to the thread.

[GregWeld]

Sorry to hear about the Roush motor Mike!


Will be fun to follow along!

[Maier]

Today Mike headed over to see his good buddy Jerry at ABC Mustangs in Hayward, Ca. Jerry is one of those stand up guys that will never treat you wrong. In 2012 when Mike’s flywheel broke right before the SCCA Solo Nationals Jerry took his flywheel off of his personal Cougar just so Mike was able to compete, that’s what kind of person Jerry is. Along with Jerry’s great personality he is also an encyclopedia of knowledge; being in the business since the 60s, Jerry knows everything and anything when it comes to early model Mustangs, Cougars, and Falcons. Not only does he have the information you need but his shop is also honey hole full of vintage parts. Give Jerry a call at (510)-886-8264 and he will either have the parts that you need or might know where you can find them
When Mike needed the heater core for the 66 he knew that Jerry was the man to go to. Mike headed over and saw Jerry this morning and got not only the core he needed but a good story to go along with it!



One of Jerry’s shelves of vintage parts



Original GT350 Rear End



One of Jerry’s many beautiful cars; Ford GT40

[Ron Sutton]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Sorry to hear about the Roush motor Mike!


Will be fun to follow along!

The cool thing is ... he's been winning a ton of AutoX events this year with his low powered engine.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

No!!!! Say it isn't so.....oh well move forward, its had its fun in the sun.


Is this Mikes brother?

[Maier]

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

No!!!! Say it isn't so.....oh well move forward, its had its fun in the sun.


Is this Mikes brother?

It is only temporarily being changed to a traveling form. Another Roush motor is currently being assembled to be put back into the car.

My name is Vince, I'm one of the newer guys at the shop. Either myself or one of the other guys here will be posting.

[Flash68]

Very cool... can't wait for the 2nd coming of Roush Yates thunder...

[65 347]

I meet Mike and saw the mustang at the goodguys in scottsdale in march, and Mike is not easy on the old girl! It will be interesting to see how it works for street use.


Mike