1966 Ford Mustang Transformed Into a 'Tesla'

Classic Muscle Car Meets Pure Electric Technology

What happens when a classic 1966 Ford Mustang meets Tesla's all-electric powertrain? A Tesla parts shop owner in Sacramento, California has the answer — an "Electric Mustang" that blends retro styling with cutting-edge intelligent driving capabilities.

According to Electrek, Yaro Shcherbaniuk, the owner of Calimotive Auto Recycling in Rancho Cordova, California, spent approximately $40,000 and two years successfully converting a 1966 Ford Mustang into a road-legal "Tesla."

From Junkyard Mustang to Electric Beast

In the summer of 2022, Shcherbaniuk purchased the 1966 Ford Mustang on Facebook Marketplace. As a long-time operator in the Tesla parts recycling business, he had both an ample supply of components and the technical expertise required to pull off such a complex build.

The project was a true family affair, completed by Shcherbaniuk alongside his father Viktor and brother Daniel. Initially, the team considered using a Model S powertrain, but after stripping the body down, Shcherbaniuk discovered that the 2024 Model 3 battery dimensions were almost a perfect fit for the classic Mustang's chassis.

Build Details: A Deep Transplant of the Model 3 Tri-Electric System

During the conversion, the team transplanted the 2024 Model 3's three-section floor structure and seats entirely into the Mustang body, shortening the battery enclosure so it would fit perfectly without altering the car's external dimensions. The finished vehicle runs a Model 3 dual-motor powertrain and features a 15-inch center touchscreen, delivering an overall driving experience remarkably close to that of a standard Model 3.

Even more impressively, the converted car is capable of running Tesla's Supervised FSD (Full Self-Driving) feature. This means a classic muscle car born in the 1960s now boasts L2+ intelligent driver-assistance capabilities, including automatic lane changes and traffic light recognition.

In terms of energy efficiency, the car consumes approximately 16 kWh per 100 km — essentially on par with the production Model 3 — demonstrating the outstanding versatility and efficiency of Tesla's electric powertrain system.

A Growing Trend: Merging Classic Cars With Modern Tech

This project reflects an important trend in the EV conversion space: as the electric vehicle parts supply chain matures, the technical barriers and costs of converting classic combustion-engine cars to pure electric power continue to fall. Tesla's highly integrated, modular powertrain platform is becoming a popular choice among grassroots builders.

Notably, the fact that Tesla FSD can operate on a non-factory vehicle also suggests a degree of hardware-platform flexibility in its software system. However, such converted vehicles still face real-world challenges around regulatory compliance and insurance classification when it comes to hitting public roads.

Outlook: More Possibilities for Giving Old Cars New Life

At a total cost of roughly $40,000, this conversion project is by no means cheap. But considering the final product combines classic aesthetics, modern performance, and intelligent driving — three major selling points — it is undeniably attractive to car enthusiasts. As the supply of retired EV parts continues to grow, similar "classic car electrification" projects are poised to become increasingly economical, breathing new life into more iconic vehicles.