by I bet that models no one practically asked for can sometimes turn into truly interesting automotive projects. Against the backdrop of Hyundai’s current batch of sporty offerings, the quiet coupe looks a bit slow and uninspired, but over the years, this lively sports coupe has found a strange path as the basis for some unexpected replicas. Unfortunately, we recently stumbled upon one reincarnation that resembles the classic rally car Toyota Celica, and in 2019, another appeared. This time, we came across a Tiburon that was modified to resemble the fifth-generation Ford Mustang. This particular replica has been around for several years and was built somewhere in Europe, more precisely, judging by the license plates, in Spain.
Only a limited number of details are known about the car’s transformation, but whoever took on this project clearly invested a lot of time and effort, trying to make it look convincing. And, to be honest, they managed to do it quite well, all things considered. Despite this, since the Tiburon’s proportions don’t match the Mustang, the difference is quite easy to spot if you know where to look. It’s most obvious at the rear, where the overhang is smaller than that of a real Mustang, and the shape of the taillights is slightly different. Nevertheless, all the original exterior body panels appear to have been replaced, and the car now features a custom front end with a black grille, Mustang-inspired headlights, and a pair of additional spotlights.
It has also been repainted in a new shade of silver with black racing stripes and similar wheel arch flares and front panel touches. The ‘Stang elements continue along the sides of the car with new five-spoke wheels, a special Mustang badge on the door sills, and correspondingly widened rear arches. There is no information on whether any performance upgrades were made, but it is believed that this replica started life as a Tiburon with a 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 172 hp. While not astonishing, it seems like a pleasant choice for everyday driving—and probably sounds better than a four-cylinder engine.
