When it comes to classic American muscle cars, the Ford Mustang is among the most iconic names in the history of fast American cars. The Mustang, like other iconic muscle cars, has been immortalized in cinema, and you may remember this particular example from the Fast 6. The 1969 Ford Mustang “Anvil” may be a movie star, but it’s not an “all-show, no-go” situation like with many movie cars. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

takes us to California-based custom shop, Pure Vision, to talk with Steve Strope – the owner of Pure Vision and creator of the Mustang “Anvil”. As Steve explains, the Mustang was built “quite a while ago” and given that Fast 6 came out in 2013, we can assume the car was finished no later than the beginning of the same year.

Despite being a bit “under the radar” compared to other builds, the 1969 Mustang “Anvil” won the Ford design award “Car of the Show” at SEMA, after which it was borrowed to be used in the sixth installment of the Fast and Furious movies. The car was driven by Tyrese Gibson's character and was unceremoniously run over by a tank, only to serve as an anchor, later. Of course, it was a budget-friendly stunt car that was sacrificed and this is the real deal.

Its massive V-8 hits like a hammer to an "Anvil"

If the Mustang is an "Anvil", the engine is definitely a "hammer". That's because, under the hood, is an all-aluminum, John Cozzi-built, 520 cubic-inch (8.5-liter) V-8 with 805 horsepower. All that grunt is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and handling is entrusted to a very racecar-like pushrod suspension that protrudes inside the car, where the rear seats used to be.

“The car is very brutal. You feel all the mechanical parts moving, you hear the suspension… and for those of you who, actually, own real race cars, that’s normal. It sounds like it’s going to fall apart, but doesn’t. It's doing its job”, Steve explains.

The “Anvil” Mustang is meant to be driven hard. It lacks sound-deadening, safety systems, power steering, air-conditioning, and “all the other things manufacturers put in a car to make you feel safe and warm, and happy”.

It still looks like a classic Ford Mustang

Unlike many custom classic cars, the Mustang “Anvil” is still very much a Mustang. Yes, the bumpers may have been tucked in, with the rear one being flush with the rear and body-colored, but it still has the distinctive design of a 1969 Mustang. The black racing stripes over the white paint are simple and classically correct.

The taillights are refurbished pieces from a 1968 Mustang and between them is an a la-Ferrari F430 dual mesh, which hides the reverse taillights. Another fascinating feature is the front nose of the car, the entirety of which is made of carbon fiber, and it was all, fabricated in months.

The wheels are made by EVOD and, in true tradition, are one-off pieces, which according to Steve are “historical, relative-looking wheels”. Behind them sit Baer brakes with six-piston calipers and 14-inch brake discs. The exhaust system, Steve says, is “basically, hockey sticks, coming out of the headers” and has side exhaust tips.

The most impressive exterior feature is the subtle wide body. Instead of opting for "ugly" fender flares, Steve took the fenders and "pulled them out", resulting in the "Anvil" being almost four inches wider than the original 1969 Mustang. To the untrained eye, it would look almost identical to the stock car, but a Mustang enthusiast will spot a ton of changes.

The bright red interior still retains the original, classic layout, with the double-hoop dashboard, which also includes carbon fiber, but has been completely redone. The interior is fairly minimalistic, compared to other custom cars and the Sparco steering wheel makes it obvious that the “Anvil” is not a cruiser, but a proper’ driver’s machine. The leather seats started out as Corbeau pieces, but were completely reupholstered.

There’s also a big roll-bar, which is a part of the roll-cage. However, it is designed in a way that a passenger would still be able to use the seat. Moreover, the bar can be unbolted and removed, should the need arises.

The “Anvil” is different than most other customized, classic Mustangs in that it gives zero fucks about what’s modern. As Steve explains, “I don’t think it’s ever going to age out. There’s nothing trendy in the car. It’s just a Mustang with big ol’ tires, big ol’ engine, and stick!”

“This was built a very nasty, but beautiful Mustang”, Steve says before entering the car with Sean – AutoTopiaLA host. All the parts really make the “Anvil” Mustang come alive and we are glad it was a cheap stunt car that went under the tank in the Fast 6 movie. If you want to see it in motion, swipe up for the full video on it.