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Joined
Feb 3, 2023
Messages
3
Reaction score
2
Location
Ashe County, North Carolina
My Car
1971 Mach 1 Mustang
Hello, I'm davidshea. I have a numbers matching 1971 black and silver Mach 1 Mustang. My dad ordered it at the end of 1970, got it in 1971, and I got my first car ride as a newborn coming home from the hospital in 1972. Pa Jack, the name given to my grandfather on my mother's side bought the car from my dad for his son, my mom's brother, in 1976 when he turned 16. Around 10 years later, my uncle had twins on the way and needed a larger vehicle. Pa Jack pretty much bought the Mach again and set it aside for me with plans on taking the car to his auto body class at the vocational center for high school junior and seniors. The Mustang went to my grandfather's class when I was a freshman. Upperclassmen would work on the car and come back to the high school and give me updates. Sometimes they really jerked my chain telling me what all they messed up on my prize. Anyway, Pa Jack and I were both pleased with the way it turned out so it must not have screwed things up too much. Just before I turned 16 Pa Jack got it tuned up and wisely unhooked the 4 barrel to the Autolite carb which probably saved my life. What was funny was me going to all the shops in town and nobody touching it with a 10 foot pole because they knew my grandfather and the situation. The Mach 1 wasn't always dependable, but man did it look good. Later I went to Appalachian State to college, lived in a dorm my first 2 years, but ended up moving home to commute. Needless to say, I needed something else for the back and forth driving. I ended up with a Chevette and the Mustang got parked. Later, I got married too early which didn't work out, needed money and sold the Mach to a very well known wielder in the county. The timeline on this would be 1994-95. The wielder had many connections and had a great deal of engine work done to the car, even said that some of the work was done in Junior Johnson's race shop in Wilkesboro, but I have nothing to back that up. I would see his son driving it from time to time and almost get sick. In 1996 I met my true love, we were married in 1997, she has blessed me with 2 wonderful daughters, and we celebrated our 25th anniversary last summer. Around Fall of 1999, Dad ran into the wielder at Hardee's, don't know why, he asked Dad if he wanted to buy it back . Dad jumped at the chance and he and Mom gave it to me for Christmas that year. So in that 20+ year span, it has been painted and slowly had improvements made all over. I recently retired from working at our county bus garage as transportation director and just started working in a factory building ambulances. There's a lot say about the headaches of worrying about buses 7 days a week vs actual work. I hope I didn't bore you. Now that I have put everyone to sleep, I would really appreciate some guidance with wheel and tire size on my Mach. Big and beefy is what I want, but I don't want any cutting or using spacers. Cannot tell you how I would love to see Mustang pics along with wheel and tires size and typed of wheel. Thank you in advance, davidshea
 
Welcome from Ohio. Thanks for the info on your car. Always nice to hear the backstory on these. When you get a minute, please post some pictures. We like looking at other people's cars and also seeing any mods that might have been done. I for sure someone will chime in on your question about tire sizes, but you might also want to do a search using the search function at the top right of the page. I know there are several posts on that subject.
 
Howdy, davidshea, and welcome from Texas! Quite the story on you and your Mach 1's journey! Glad you got your car back. You'll find plenty of support and camaraderie on this site. As for the tires, the 71-73 Mustangs can wear some pretty big wheel/tire combos. Look for 17 or 18 wheels. We even have one member running 20s on his Mustang! Tire widths up to 315 on the rear seem to work based on what some members have on their cars; I have 275/45s on 17 x 9 wheels. On the front, I run a 255/40 width tire on 17 x 8 wheel with no clearance issues. If you go 18 wheels you can probably get a little wider tire. Search through the site and you'll find plenty of pictures of the various combinations.
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Welcome to the forum from another Texan! Great story and congrats on getting your car back. Unfortunately that is not the case in many situations. I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures of you’re car.
 
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Welcome from SW Florida!! Great background story on your sled. Like everyone said, please post some pics. Showing us the exterior, interior and the "engine room" would be pretty cool. Also you're going to find guys here are going to try and help you with your request. Again welcome aboard!
 
Welcome from Chicago! That is a great back story! Congrats on getting your car back, many of us have tried that and found the car only to have the current owner too attached and not willing to sell, enjoy!
 
Welcome to the forum David.
You're asking about "Big and beefy" wheel and tire size for your car....Sheriff previously offered some good references. In addition, tell us if you want big wheels and tires or big tires on standard 14 or 15" wheels. For example I run "oversize" 245-60×15 8" wide fronts and
275-60×15 10" wide rears with no issues whatsoever. Very important to get your wheel back spacing and center line correct when pushing for real big tire and wheel sizes. I'm sure others with even bigger sizes then me will chime in with their setups also.
 
Welcome from a very inactive member.

This is what I run,

18x8 245/45/18. Front 18x9 285/40/18 rears.

18x8-4.5” back space front

18x9-5.25 backspacing rear

My first car as well owned since 1982- on the road again since summer 2021.
 

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Hello, I'm davidshea. I have a numbers matching 1971 black and silver Mach 1 Mustang. My dad ordered it at the end of 1970, got it in 1971, and I got my first car ride as a newborn coming home from the hospital in 1972. Pa Jack, the name given to my grandfather on my mother's side bought the car from my dad for his son, my mom's brother, in 1976 when he turned 16. Around 10 years later, my uncle had twins on the way and needed a larger vehicle. Pa Jack pretty much bought the Mach again and set it aside for me with plans on taking the car to his auto body class at the vocational center for high school junior and seniors. The Mustang went to my grandfather's class when I was a freshman. Upperclassmen would work on the car and come back to the high school and give me updates. Sometimes they really jerked my chain telling me what all they messed up on my prize. Anyway, Pa Jack and I were both pleased with the way it turned out so it must not have screwed things up too much. Just before I turned 16 Pa Jack got it tuned up and wisely unhooked the 4 barrel to the Autolite carb which probably saved my life. What was funny was me going to all the shops in town and nobody touching it with a 10 foot pole because they knew my grandfather and the situation. The Mach 1 wasn't always dependable, but man did it look good. Later I went to Appalachian State to college, lived in a dorm my first 2 years, but ended up moving home to commute. Needless to say, I needed something else for the back and forth driving. I ended up with a Chevette and the Mustang got parked. Later, I got married too early which didn't work out, needed money and sold the Mach to a very well known wielder in the county. The timeline on this would be 1994-95. The wielder had many connections and had a great deal of engine work done to the car, even said that some of the work was done in Junior Johnson's race shop in Wilkesboro, but I have nothing to back that up. I would see his son driving it from time to time and almost get sick. In 1996 I met my true love, we were married in 1997, she has blessed me with 2 wonderful daughters, and we celebrated our 25th anniversary last summer. Around Fall of 1999, Dad ran into the wielder at Hardee's, don't know why, he asked Dad if he wanted to buy it back . Dad jumped at the chance and he and Mom gave it to me for Christmas that year. So in that 20+ year span, it has been painted and slowly had improvements made all over. I recently retired from working at our county bus garage as transportation director and just started working in a factory building ambulances. There's a lot say about the headaches of worrying about buses 7 days a week vs actual work. I hope I didn't bore you. Now that I have put everyone to sleep, I would really appreciate some guidance with wheel and tire size on my Mach. Big and beefy is what I want, but I don't want any cutting or using spacers. Cannot tell you how I would love to see Mustang pics along with wheel and tires size and typed of wheel. Thank you in advance, davidshea
Welcome from maryland
 
I have P225/70 tires on 14x7 stock rims. they fit with no problems.
Two observations:
1. Keep in mind that larger diameter wheels will decrease ride quality. I have shortened 620lb springs in the front, yet the ride is great.
2. I had rear wheel bearing issues with 8" wide wheels, perhaps related to offset.
 
I have P225/70 tires on 14x7 stock rims. they fit with no problems.
Two observations:
1. Keep in mind that larger diameter wheels will decrease ride quality. I have shortened 620lb springs in the front, yet the ride is great.
2. I had rear wheel bearing issues with 8" wide wheels, perhaps related to offset.
That’s the size tire I’m running, I’m wishing that I went with p225/60 on the rear.
 
Another Howdy and welcome from Texas! Please post pics. We'd love to see any older pics describing your rich history with your Mustang!
 
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