Customers somewhat rare 68 Mustang big block convertible didn't have much good left on it so it's just about is being built from scratch. Will show progress reports. Probably will be a New Years present.
Thanks for posting these photo's. When you see these cars taken down this far its easy to understand why doors pop open when horsepower and sticky tires are combined. Is this one going to be bone stock or are some upgrades included? _____ John
A few upgrades but nothing radical. Biggest is using a Mustang II front to get rid of the awful coil spring on top of upper A-frame and the even worse the ram assist power steering. Will first build frame rails and frame connectors to give a solid platform to work from. It's hard to shim panels in the correct position when they are attached to air.
Unibody cars, especially, convertibles, just seem flimsy. Curious, a big-block Ford with 4 lug wheels. I'm thinking this car must have sentimental value? Otherwise couldn't the guy find a better one, rather than pay you to build a basically "new" one?
Wowie - Zowie These were cheaply designed and built cars when new , I can only imagine what this is going to co$t . To - day I was Junkyarding ( !YES! I found my fuel tank and air cleaner !) and spotted a '66 Mustang and a '63 Falcon Ranchero in the same yard . Amazing .
Darn Paul, you are sharp eyed. The 4 lug rear is a "moving around" rear end used while sandblasting to keep the grit out of the 9".
One month update: Has full frame now--front and rear heavy(3/16) sub frames and 1/4" tube connectors. MII IFS installed Ladder bar/coils/Panard bar rear mount brackets in place. Major panels like cowl/quarters/front inner fenders, etc. in place Bracing run to secure panel position as rusted areas are replaced Door openings in proper position Inner and out rockers in place (critical on a convertible) Now the work begins; will visit next month
Wow . One can only imagine how much work will be involved by the end . I wish I could afford this much detail work done to my beloved and *MUCH* better condition 1959 Nash Metropolitan Fixed head Coupe . Are you still on projected new year's finishing Evan ? .
Nate, My guess is that it will be a complete running driving car by new years but being a unibody the finishing details can bite one in the butt time wise sometimes. You can't adjust alignment and gaps with shims like on a body on frame car so corrections are harder.
It's past New Years and not close to being ready but for a change not our fault. Customer had us switch to his 65 GTO which he bought at a Barrett-Jackson and was a beauty on the outside but made strictly to sell on the hidden areas. Now back on Mustang and it's starting to resemble a car again. There are no aftermarket inner rear fenders for a convertible so note the massaged tops---courtesy of a ball peen hammer. When top mechanism for sure clears and works then tops will be cut off and smooth plate used. All the filler around the front clip is over factory stamping wrinkles; the owner wants the underside as smooth as the outside.
Shock tower delete... that's going to be one beautiful engine bay. Destined to be one of the nicest Mustangs ever built. Thanks for the update.
