KennyD
Member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2011
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Oklahoma
- My Car
- '71 Mach1 M code
'71 Mach1 H code
Joined a few days ago, thought it was time to say hello -
I've got two '71's Mach 1's that I've had since the mid '80's. The first one I acquired was a Yellow Gold H code built in November 1970. A year or so later, I found a fairly nice Wimbledon M code, probably one of the last 71's with closed chamber heads.
The 2bbl car was pretty much a beater...We really didn't like the color, and since it was not as "desireable" as a 4bbl or a Boss, we figured we'd change it a little by making it a 4 bbl, and changing the color. A white car is what we wanted, so we started the restoration. Just before we started the engine work, I found a white 4bbl car that didn't need much - A windshield, carpet, engine rebuild, and tires! I was able to get it for about the amount we had budgeted to finish the first one. Upon completion, we drove it about 130,000 miles.
The first car has not made much progress...engine, quarters, added a fold down and staggered shock setup from a donor car, and started a floor pan replacement...In 26 years!!!
After a mishap with the 4bbl car back in 1995, it has seen limited action. I cobbled a replacement hood, fender, and core support together, primed it, and watched it rust! Recently, I've put some effort into working on it - Brakes, steering gear, tires, and carb. Still runs good after a 1986 rebuild and 100K+ miles but needs a lot of attention to some rust.
I used to read Mustang magazines and was appalled that it would take people 2, 4, 6, or even 10 years to restore a car - Now I know why it sometimes takes forever to complete a decent restoration! A lot of desire and time, but no money...Then comes No time and no money...Now it's maybe enough money, but not the burning desire. I guess the older you get, sometimes the more you like to things that don't demand a lot of attention! One the "plus" side, along the way I've learned to do body work, welding, and some painting, saving myself a little money.
Our goal is to probably sell the 4bbl, and invest in the 2bbl. I would like to add a manual trans, improve the front suspension, maybe some 17-18" tires with modernized Magnums or Mini Lites. We were going to paint it like my wife's Medium Blue Metallic '71 she had in high school, but lately I've been thinking about Grabber Orange...
I'll probably be looking in often, as it looks like I can get a lot of good info here. Thanks for such a good site!
I've got two '71's Mach 1's that I've had since the mid '80's. The first one I acquired was a Yellow Gold H code built in November 1970. A year or so later, I found a fairly nice Wimbledon M code, probably one of the last 71's with closed chamber heads.
The 2bbl car was pretty much a beater...We really didn't like the color, and since it was not as "desireable" as a 4bbl or a Boss, we figured we'd change it a little by making it a 4 bbl, and changing the color. A white car is what we wanted, so we started the restoration. Just before we started the engine work, I found a white 4bbl car that didn't need much - A windshield, carpet, engine rebuild, and tires! I was able to get it for about the amount we had budgeted to finish the first one. Upon completion, we drove it about 130,000 miles.
The first car has not made much progress...engine, quarters, added a fold down and staggered shock setup from a donor car, and started a floor pan replacement...In 26 years!!!
After a mishap with the 4bbl car back in 1995, it has seen limited action. I cobbled a replacement hood, fender, and core support together, primed it, and watched it rust! Recently, I've put some effort into working on it - Brakes, steering gear, tires, and carb. Still runs good after a 1986 rebuild and 100K+ miles but needs a lot of attention to some rust.
I used to read Mustang magazines and was appalled that it would take people 2, 4, 6, or even 10 years to restore a car - Now I know why it sometimes takes forever to complete a decent restoration! A lot of desire and time, but no money...Then comes No time and no money...Now it's maybe enough money, but not the burning desire. I guess the older you get, sometimes the more you like to things that don't demand a lot of attention! One the "plus" side, along the way I've learned to do body work, welding, and some painting, saving myself a little money.
Our goal is to probably sell the 4bbl, and invest in the 2bbl. I would like to add a manual trans, improve the front suspension, maybe some 17-18" tires with modernized Magnums or Mini Lites. We were going to paint it like my wife's Medium Blue Metallic '71 she had in high school, but lately I've been thinking about Grabber Orange...
I'll probably be looking in often, as it looks like I can get a lot of good info here. Thanks for such a good site!
