SACRAMENTO, CA – A Sacramento auto parts shop owner has achieved what many thought impossible: converting a 1966 Ford Mustang into a fully functional Tesla, complete with working Full Self-Driving (Supervised). The two-year project cost approximately $40,000 and resulted in the first non-Tesla vehicle to operate the automaker's advanced driver-assistance system.
The converted Mustang now boasts Tesla Model 3's dual-motor drivetrain, a 15-inch touchscreen, and achieves an efficiency of 258 Wh/mi—nearly identical to a stock Model 3. The vehicle is road-legal and has been tested on public highways with Tesla's FSD software active.
'A Passion Project to Prove It Could Be Done'
"This wasn't about money—it was about seeing if we could make a classic drive like a modern Tesla," said Mike Johnson, owner of EV Restomods in Sacramento. "Getting the FSD to work took months of reverse-engineering Tesla's wiring and software."
Johnson, who runs a Tesla parts shop, purchased a salvage Model 3 to source the battery pack, motors, and electronics. The Mustang's original body was retained, but the chassis was heavily modified to accommodate the EV powertrain.
First Non-Tesla with Working Full Self-Driving
"This is a milestone for aftermarket EV conversions," said Dr. Amelia Chen, an automotive engineer at Stanford University. "Operational FSD on a 1960s muscle car demonstrates that Tesla's system is not inherently tied to its own chassis."
Johnson confirmed that all FSD features—including lane changes, navigation on highways, and automatic parking—function as they would in a Model 3. However, he noted that some safety-critical calibrations required custom software patches.
Background: From Gas Guzzler to Electric Sleeper
The 1966 Mustang originally had a V8 engine. Johnson's team stripped the car to its bare shell, then installed a 75 kWh battery pack where the rear seats once sat. The dual-motor setup—identical to the Model 3 Performance—provides all-wheel drive and over 450 horsepower.
"We had to reinforce the frame to handle the torque," Johnson explained. "The hardest part was integrating the touchscreen and steering wheel controls to talk to Tesla's computers." The conversion took two years because many components had to be custom-fabricated.
What This Means for Classic Cars and EV Conversions
This project opens the door for other classic car enthusiasts to consider high-tech EV conversions. "The $40k price tag is comparable to a full professional restoration," noted Dr. Chen. "And the efficiency proves that older designs can be just as aerodynamic as modern EVs."
However, regulatory hurdles remain. Tesla's FSD is only approved for use on vehicles built by Tesla, and any modification to the system's control hardware may void warranties. Johnson's Mustang is registered as a custom vehicle, but its legal status for FSD use on public roads is unclear.
"We're in a gray area," Johnson admitted. "But the technology works, and it shows what's possible when you combine classic style with modern innovation."
Key Conversion Specs
- Drivetrain: Dual-motor from Tesla Model 3 (all-wheel drive)
- Battery: 75 kWh, integrated into rear cabin area
- Range: Estimated 260 miles (based on efficiency of 258 Wh/mi)
- FSD: Fully operational with Tesla's Supervised system
- Cost: ~$40,000 (excluding original Mustang purchase)
The vehicle has been driven over 500 miles since completion without major issues. Johnson plans to offer similar conversions to customers later this year.