Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (2024)

  • Story By
    Justin Pagtalunan

We kicked off Women's Month with Formula One's first lady, legendary ladies of motorsports, women on wheels and gearhead girls. Now we want to conclude an empowering month with an automotive enthusiast you might have least expected.

Constance Nunes is not just an umbrella-holding Nitto Tire girl; she'sa true automotive enthusiast, as authentic as they come. Don't worry — I was pleasantly surprised, too, when I first learned aboutConstance's true passion: her first-generation 1964.5 Ford Mustang (it has to be '64.5, she reminded me). We all gathered for dinner after another successful Auto Enthusiast Dayin Texas, when she shared stories about her Mustang.

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (1)

After events she was modeling at, "fans" would spot her driving away in that Mustang, which happens to be her daily driver. Many would follow her, and some would even call the phone number on the back of her windshield. Those who did were in for a surprise whenthey found themselves speaking with her dad; the number is actually there to promote his auto shop, C.A.R.S. Etc.Awkward.

Start 'Em Young

Speaking of her dad, Constance owes a lot of her passion to growing up watching him drag race and build muscle cars. It's what inspired her early on and made her want to prove her own in the automotive world.

"I can't really put an age on it," she said. "Ever since I can remember, I've always been involved [with cars]."

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (2)

Having grown up in an all-Chevy family, at age 16 Constanceacted out in the ultimate form of teenage rebellion... by buying her very own classic Ford Mustang — a 1964.5, to be exact (it has to be .5!).The car was shipped from out-of-state, straight to her dad's shop in Thousand Oaks, California, and this is where thestory begins.

Restoring 'Babystang'

It's safe to say that sheis around cars almost 24/7. Ever since the Mustang arrived in California, Constancehas either been working for a top dealership or modelingprofessionally, withany free time devoted to working on muscle cars, especially her own.

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (3)

Constance has spent most of her years with"Babystang," as she calls it — a namegiven to her by theInsta-world—restoring it to its formerglory. Originally Wimbledon White, she wanted to make sure any modifications she made involvedexclusively authentic 1964.5 parts. (I did mention her adamancy about it being '64.5, right?)

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (4)

As she restored the vehicle'sexteriorand interior, Constancewas extremely fortunate to find thatmechanically, itwas still runningflawlessly despite being more than half a century old. The original straight-six engine is definitely her favorite part of Babystang, she told me, but there's no denying that she wouldn't mind a little more muscle for her muscle car.

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (5)

Eventually, she decided to start building a new 302 engine block and transmission to give it that extra power. Withthe car almost fullyrestored, Constance was soon bitten bythe all-too-familiar tuning bug. While her original project goal wasrestoration, she now has a whole new set of plans in store for Babystang. Like mostenthusiasts with a project car, it's never "phase one and done."

Constance Upgrades

Whether she's using tools from her dad's shop or from her trusty kit (aka her Smurfette lunchbox), Constance is alwaysready to work on Babystang.

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (6)

When I caught up with Constance for this feature, she was setting up to install a brand new steering wheel she had recently acquired. As I mentioned, any free time is spent doing something onher car, manicured nails and all.

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (7)

Once the wheel was installedand the horn was honking, Constancegave me a full tour of her 10-years-and-counting project car. One of the first highlights I noticed was the clean interior. She kept the original A/C unit and the original radio, which only gets AM stations, but she also added a removable device to play updated music for those times she wants to rockout to Metallica. 🤘

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (8)

Besides the steering wheel, thereupholstered front and rear seats are Constance'smost recent upgrade as well as her most recent challenge. The words coming out of her mouth might have beenaboutall her reupholstering struggles, but the expression on her face was something every enthusiast has when finishing up a project: the joy of accomplishment.

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (9)

With the tour complete, there was only one thing left to do: Test out that new steering wheel with a nice drive!

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (10)

Cruising With Constance

The softness of the new seats, thenice sheenof the steering wheel shining and the smoothness of the ride — all things I noticed as I took in all of Thousand Oak's greenery whileConstance told me more about herself and Babystang. Rarely do I ever cruisearound in classic cars, so I found myself constantly admiring the car's vintage design elements from the '60s.

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (11)

We soon found a spot to get some clean shots andhighlight the classic car'sawesome body lines. While most Mustangs are nose up, Constance has modified Babystang'sfront suspension to give it a unique, aggressive rake. The side profile is only going to get better once she upgrades to American Racing Wheels and meaty Nitto Tires.

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (12)

The slate grey paint job, another recent upgrade, was specifically inspired by afamous Mustang:Eleanor from "Gone in 60 seconds."

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (13)

We even had time to give a shout-out to another familiarMustang driver, because Mustang people have to stick together, right?

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (14)

Tuning Menu

1964.5 Ford Mustang

OWNERConstance Nunes
NICKNAMEBabystang
ENGINERestored original Straight 6; 170ci with 101 hp; 3-speed manual to Cruise-O-Matic automatic trans conversion; Holley 350CFM 2 barrel carburetor; electric distributor with Duraspark ignition system, starter and radiator overflow;302 engine block with new rear end and transmission (in process)
SUSPENSIONOriginal suspension with modified front springs; original rear air shocks; rear mini-tub (in process)
BRAKESSSBC manual disc kit (front); originaldrum brakes (rear)
WHEELSOriginal 14x5 Ford 4-Lug with original hubcaps; Nitto Tire NT555s and American Racing Wheels (in process)
EXTERIORRestored original; new passenger front quarter panel; restored emblems; restored bumpers; slate grey paint job
INTERIORRestored interior including seat upholstery, carpet, dash, steering wheel, seat belts, and custom radio box; back dash with upgrade speakers; original radio still intact; restore headliner, kick panels and door panels (in process)
SPECIAL THANKSC.A.R.S. Etc.;Nitto Tire;Jared Toller

You can find Constance modelingat the Nitto Tire booth during each round ofFormula Driftand other Nitto-sponsored events this year. Keep up with her modifying adventure on Instagram@CarsByConstanceand check out the gallery below for more Babystang.

Model With Muscle: Constance and Her 1964.5 Mustang (2024)

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