American Auto Shop Owner Converts 1966 Ford Mustang into Tesla-Powered EV with Full Self-Driving System

Yaroslav Sherbanyuk, an auto parts store owner based in Sacramento, California, spent approximately two years and invested around $40,000 to convert a 1966 Ford Mustang into a fully road-legal electric vehicle. The car is powered by the dual-motor powertrain from a 2024 Tesla Model 3, delivering about 400 horsepower and 638 N·m of torque, accelerating from 0 to 96 km/h in roughly 3.5 seconds, with an energy consumption of approximately 16 kWh per 100 kilometers. Sherbanyuk completed the project alongside his father, Viktor, and his brother, Daniel. Initially considering the Model S drivetrain, they ultimately opted for the Model 3 system due to its better-fitting battery dimensions. The team transplanted the Model 3’s three-section floor structure and seats into the Mustang’s body and shortened the battery enclosure to fit seamlessly without altering the classic car’s original exterior dimensions. While preserving the iconic 1966 Mustang styling, the vehicle integrates Tesla’s hardware and software systems. Features include the Model 3’s 15-inch central touchscreen for controlling vehicle functions and supporting over-the-air updates, a Yoke steering wheel borrowed from the Cybertruck, and Tesla’s heated and ventilated seats. The charging port is located where the original fuel filler cap was situated. Moreover, the car incorporates Tesla’s full camera array, enabling Autopilot, Sentry Mode, and Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities. Reportedly, this is the first non-Tesla-branded vehicle capable of running FSD.