VOLCANIC ERUPTION: The “Obsidian” Mustang is an 800hp hunk of pure muscle
April 20, 2016
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Obsidian noun | ob·sid·i·an : a dark natural glass formed by the cooling of molten lava
If there was ever a byproduct of a volcanic eruption, this one-of-a-kind 1967 Ford Mustang Custom Fastback (Lot #657) aptly named “Obsidian” is it. Among the many impressive things about this inky black beauty of a beast is that it had an incredible $1.3 million (including research and development) invested in its build. Officially, the car’s name is “Obsidian SG-One” – the “SG” referring to its first owner Steve Groat, who bankrolled the project, and the “One” meaning it is the only one that will ever be built.
You won’t find one square inch of this lethal killer of a muscle car that hasn’t been altered in some way, from the custom-made side skirts and flared fenders to the induction/extraction hood and custom honeycomb-mesh grille and taillight panel (cut from billet aluminum in a water-jet machine, no less).
To make this over-the-top project come to life, Groat enlisted the services of Matt Couper of Autoworks International in El Cajon, California, and Couper didn’t cut corners. The wild, technology-packed vehicle has raised many an eyebrow since it was displayed at the front entrance of the 2006 SEMA Show – and it’s no wonder.
In the belly of the beast is a fuel-injected 392ci V8 with twin Rotex superchargers, on top of which is a pair of air-to-air intercoolers bulging out of a custom hood fitted with billet hinges. The transmission is a Tremec TKO 600 5-speed. The front suspension is an RRS Phase 5 setup with custom coilovers, Control Freak control arms and rack & pinion steering, while the rear consists of an RRS three-link with matching coilovers. Big Brembo slotted 4-wheel disc brakes bring this monster to a halt, cooled by ducts on the flared quarter-panels. Obsidian rolls on Couper-designed aluminum wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza tires.
The integrated tubular box frame and a four-point hidden roll cage and a four-piece flat NASCAR-style removable aluminum belly pan; there’s a lowered center of gravity for high speed stability and an unquestionably aggressive look. The engine and firewall were also pushed back for better 50/50 weight distribution.
Speaking of weight, this four-wheeled phenomenon tips the scales at approximately 3,000 pounds. That engine, by the way, kicks out 847hp and 750 ft/lbs of torque – propelling it to a 0-60 time of 4 seconds. Yowsa!
As they say, that’s not all. Open the door and step inside. You’ll be sitting on custom Recaro heated seats and wiggling your toes on luxury carpeting. Take note of the handcrafted color-matched dashboard and two-piece door panels, but don’t overlook the power everything, Alpine audio head unit with Kicker amps, XM radio, an MP3 player, iPod/Bluetooth/wireless Internet capability, navigation and more.
Oh, and the seat boxes were moved back to fit taller drivers – just one of many things that appealed to its current owner, 6’11” former NBA player Dan Gadzuric. He still remembers the day he came across the car, some three years ago, when it was in a garage getting washed.
“The way it was looking at me, I just had to stare back at it,” Gadzuric said. “The body lines were so smooth and the details of the car were so nicely done, it clearly jumped out at me. I used the car whenever I felt like sitting low to the ground and going fast. No matter where I took it, heads turned. I have to admit I enjoyed showing off this piece of artsy machinery on the roads.”
Obsidian will be erupting on the block at Barrett-Jackson’s inaugural Northeast Auction at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut this June, offered at No Reserve. There will certainly be a few interested parties willing to try and tame this wild Mustang.
For up-to-date information about this vehicle, click HERE.
For more background on the build of this vehicle, visit the Obsidian website HERE.
