RCFTS: Chris's Optima Fox Body

Chris’s Fox Body: A Race Car for the Street

For Chris, the Fox Body Mustang represents more than just a platform — it’s a perfect fusion of nostalgia and potential. Chris's love of cars began early in life, like most of us, but his connection to the Fox-Body chassis came later. Drawn by its classic lines and endless tuning possibilities, Chris set his sights on starting his own Fox Body project. What started as a relatively cut-&-paste road race build, quickly evolved into a mission to prove what a nearly 30-year-old Mustang could achieve when reimagined with modern engineering.

Finding Potential in a Field

The story of project RCFTS began in the fall of 2017, when Chris discovered the car sitting quietly in a field in Hermiston, Oregon. Surrounded by blackberry bushes and wearing its history in walnut dents on the roof, the Mustang was far from perfect. But beneath the weathered surface, Chris saw a second chance at life for the car.

With the original plan in place, Chris got to work turning his fox into a dedicated race car. However, the mission changed once he began competing in the Optima Batteries Ultimate Street Car Series. The mix of autocross, road course, and street driving opened a new perspective — this wasn’t meant to be a trailer queen. It was destined to be driven hard on the street and at the track. That realization gave birth to the project’s name: RCFTS — Race Car for the Street.

Modern Power in a Classic Shell

At the heart of the build is a first-generation Coyote 5.0L swapped into the Fox Body chassis. Managed by a Ford Racing control pack, the setup delivers roughly 400 horsepower to the rear wheels. Supporting components include a Tremec T56 six-speed transmission, SPEC Stage 4 clutch, Boundary oil pump gears, and a Ford Racing limited-slip differential. The engine breathes through a custom cold air intake, BBK headers, 2018 Mustang intake manifold, and a custom X-pipe with Borla Pro XS mufflers to keep it compliant with sound regulations.   

Every mechanical detail was designed and assembled by Chris and a small group of friends in his own garage — a true grassroots build focused on reliability, performance, and character. All in all, this powertrain setup is relatively similar to that which has been done by countless resto-mod builders around the world. And then.... things got serious.

Suspension and Chassis Engineering

To handle the added power and deliver the cornering precision Chris wanted, suspension and chassis development became a top priority. Chris turned to our team here at Cortex Racing to create a suspension system up to the task of allowing his 30 year old project to keep up with modern cars. Up front, the car runs a full Cortex Racing SLA front suspension system paired with Penske double-adjustable shocks. 

Out back, a Maximum Motorsports torque arm and panhard bar keep the solid rear axle planted, supported by Penske double-adjustable shocks with remote reservoirs.

The car was corner-balanced and aligned by Eric Jones Motorsports, ensuring the setup performs as well on the road course as it does during street driving. The result is a car that feels both balanced and responsive — a true driver’s machine.

Brakes, Wheels, and Tires

Braking is handled by S550 four-piston Brembos up front and 2004 Cobra rear calipers, with G-Loc R8 pads providing the necessary bite. An MK60 ABS system, wired with the help of Racing Harness Tech, brings modern safety and control — especially valuable in the cold, wet Pacific Northwest where Chris competes most often.

The car runs 18x11 wheels all around, currently a mix of Circuit Racing and Rocket Racing sets, wrapped in Yokohama A052 tires. The setup provides massive mechanical grip and will eventually support 315/30R18 tires once the final suspension tuning is complete. One of the unique advantages of the CorteX Radial X is that it allows for customers to seamlessly bolt on late-model wheels

Body and Aerodynamics

The exterior is a striking combination of classic and competition. Custom-blended Chicane23 fender flares, paint-matched to the original Bimini Blue, give the Fox its muscular stance. Aerodynamic components include a 9 Lives Racing swan-neck rear wing, Carter Customs splitter, side splitters, and rear diffuser, and a Chicane23 carbon fiber hood with a custom tint from K.C. Kuhnhausen Metal Concepts.

Protection and detailing were handled by Oregon Detail, who applied Suntek PPF, while Classic LED lighting modernizes the car’s visibility without sacrificing its vintage look.

Interior and Electronics

Inside, Chris kept the theme understated and purposeful — maintaining a near-stock look while integrating key safety and performance elements. A Maximum Motorsports roll bar, color-matched to the exterior, provides safety without cluttering the interior. AutoMeter Pro-Light gauges mounted in a Florida 5.0 cluster keep a close watch on engine vitals, complemented by a custom low-oil-pressure warning strobe.

For data and driver feedback, Chris uses a RaceCapture MK2 paired with a tablet display for live telemetry and lap timing. The system is mounted securely with RAM mounts for on-track durability. A Double-DIN Apple CarPlay head unit and 12-inch subwoofer powered by a Pioneer 700W amp make sure the car lives up to its “ultimate street car” title on and off the track.

Built to Compete — and Connect

Chris’s Mustang has become a familiar sight across the West Coast rounds of the Optima Batteries Ultimate Street Car Series, where he’s been invited to the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI) for three consecutive years. Despite fierce competition, the experience has been defined as much by community as by performance.

“The camaraderie and friendships in the paddock — and being able to share this experience with my family — are what make it truly special,” Chris says. His children are often at the track, soaking up the lessons of hard work and dedication that this project embodies.

Legacy in Motion

What began as a forgotten field find has become a modernized street-legal track weapon — one that continues to blur the line between nostalgia and innovation. Through creativity, persistence, and engineering, Chris has built more than just a car; he’s built a testament to what passion and precision can achieve.


CorteX Racing Components Summary — Project RCFTS

1. Front Suspension
  • CorteX Racing SLA Front Suspension System
2. Rear Suspension
  • Penske Double-Adjustable Shock System (by CorteX Racing)
    • Type: Penske 8300-series double-adjustable monotube shocks.
    • Adjustment: Independent rebound and compression for precise tuning of ride quality and traction.
    • Reservoirs: Remote reservoirs improve heat management and maintain consistent damping during long track sessions.
    • Tuning Range: Broad range allows quick adjustments for autocross, time-attack, and street comfort.
  • Benefits:


Project Landshark