Hi There! New to the group with my 1973 Mach 1

rybo · Oct 20, 2024

Hi All! Im new here so wanted to say hello.

I have 1973 Mach 1 Deluxe with the 351 Cleveland, The odometer says 5k miles but I don't believe that to be true, or im reading it wrong. My dad thinks closer to 40k but not sure exactly whats going on. My grandpa bought this new and drove it for a bit then parked it in the barn where its been collecting dust for a few decades, along with a few dents from the tractor. This was always my favorite of all the mustangs he had and we always planned to fix it up but he ended up passing away before we got the chance. So now I brought it home and am starting on the rebuild process. I plan to rebuild the engine, redo the paint / body and interior as well as some resto-mods but not exactly sure what all I want to do yet.

Im glad to join you all here!

will e · Oct 21, 2024

Howdy from Phoenix! How awesome you have your grandpa's car and that he was the original owner! It looks solid. Looking at the door panels I would guess more miles than less miles.

I apologize if you already know this but the fenders are unique to 1973. It looks like you might need a replacement for the drivers side. Don't swoop up a 'deal' on a 71 or 72 fender, they won't work.
There are some other unique parts on the 73, make sure to ask questions! You'll like it here, it's a good group of folks.

rybo · Oct 21, 2024

will e said:
Howdy from Phoenix! How awesome you have your grandpa's car and that he was the original owner! It looks solid. Looking at the door panels I would guess more miles than less miles.

I apologize if you already know this but the fenders are unique to 1973. It looks like you might need a replacement for the drivers side. Don't swoop up a 'deal' on a 71 or 72 fender, they won't work.
There are some other unique parts on the 73, make sure to ask questions! You'll like it here, it's a good group of folks.

Awesome thank you! Yeah I definitely need the front fender. I'm starting on the engine, getting that sorted so I can fire it up. I would like to get it drivable in this stock condition, then start the body / interior restoration.

For the fender I was thinking about this -

https://www.cjponyparts.com/cj-clas...8ZbFqbSs1-OjhEs0M379F6yRoCQpsQAvD_BwE#217=967

Would that work, or should I try to find an original?

I appreciate all the help and advice, I've never rebuilt a classic mustang, had a 87 5.0 in high school, but mostly old jeeps and other basic stuff so will definitely be coming here with plenty of questions.

Sheriff41 · Oct 21, 2024

Welcome Rybo, and howdy from Texas! Great story on your Mach 1 and worthy of your efforts to get it on the road again. You've come to the right place for information, encouragement, and access to many very helpful members that will share advice from their experience with these cars. Looking forward to seeing your progress and recommend you start a build thread in the Mustang Registry - Project Build Threads forum https://7173mustangs.com/discussion-forum/mustang-registry-project-build-threads.78/

Cleveland Crush · Oct 21, 2024

Welcome rybo. Nice solid Stang you have there! What exterior color are you thinking about and what other mods may be in the works?

Paul Schmidt · Oct 21, 2024

Welcome from Orlando. Nice project ahead. Keep us posted on the progress!

will e · Oct 21, 2024

I have zero experience with the CJ fender, I didn't even know they existed! My gut reaction is 'no' because some aftermarket stuff is sketchy. Post up a separate thread and see if anyone has actual experience with those.

Rick@NPD · Oct 21, 2024

Congratulations! I love the car and the color combo, hope you keep that original. Looking around the interior and overall level of wear (regardless of having been relegated to a barn), I'm betting on 105K miles, not 40K or 5K.

But regardless, you've got the right plan of rebuilding everything to make it nice again. Looks REALLY solid.

Which brings me to your fender... There is only one manufacturer for the 71-73 fenders in Taiwan, so who you buy it from is less about quality-of-product and more about quality-of-company, including price, freight quote (truck freight is expensive), and whether they actually have it in-stock, stand behind freight-damage, etc... I'm biased, so I'll relegate that advice to other forum members.

However.... Looking at your original fender, it looks rust-free, just boogered pretty good up front. Now maybe it's just because I have a rock star PDR guy that I work with here in Ocala FL, but my PDR guy (Paintless Dent Removal) would be able to message 90% of that damage away, leaving behind some really minor (acceptable) bodywork to get it straight and in primer. I would investigate going in that direction, keeping the car 100% original metal, before bolting a repro fender to it. What the PDR guy will charge won't be any more than what you'd pay in freight alone for the new fender.

I have a gorgeous 1964 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham (really rare model) in my collection, survivor car other than one show-quality repaint. It was in our shop for service/exercise, and my guys were working on dying a leather steering wheel on a car close buy it. Yada yada, neither was wearing a mask or ventilator of any kind, the guy (260 lbs) squatting holding plastic got too much of a snoot-full, stood up, blacked out, and fell backwards into the door of the Bonneville, CAVING it in... And I mean it was caved, the full force of his back-side crashing into it. Thankfully, nobody but the car was hurt.

PDR guy pulled the cave and messaged on it to where it was easily-addressable for my body/paint guy to finish up. Normally, you'd have thought that I'd have to find a replacement door, but today the car sits looking perfect again, and no one would ever know. $200 bucks to the PDR guy.

The front door below was pushed in more than 3" deep, for a span of almost 2 feet vertical and 1.5 feet horizontal. Kinked top and bottom. At the end of the day, very minimal filler required.

Rick
NPD

c9zx · Oct 21, 2024

What Rick said. Chuck

bkdunha · Oct 21, 2024

I agree with Rick. PDR can do alot today. I had a daily driver 2006 Dodge Durango get hit by a deer in the passenger door and the PDR person was able to get it levelled pretty good. Only touched up the scrape marks in the door and did not do a full repaint. It was a daily and had 150K plus miles on it. Welcome to the group and do please keep us posted as you progress. Please drop on in anytime you have questions or need a little assistance with something. This is a great family friendly and respectful forum. A collection of very knowledgeable people and specifically in the 71-73 years. Keep us posted and enjoy the journey. First time you go for a drive let your Grandpa know you did it.

Bill Perkins · Oct 21, 2024

Welcome Abroad from Opelika, Alabama

Great story about your Grandpa's Mustang. I have several 71-73 Mustang parts for sale on my Ebay Store. I also have a Original Ford Factory LH (Driver's Side) Front Fender and two aftermarket Front Fenders for a 73 Mustang.

OLE PONY · Oct 21, 2024

Welcome to the site from Virginia! Glad to hear another 73 is being rescued. Lots of good info here on the site.

OLE PONY · Oct 21, 2024

Rick@NPD said:
Congratulations! I love the car and the color combo, hope you keep that original. Looking around the interior and overall level of wear (regardless of having been relegated to a barn), I'm betting on 105K miles, not 40K or 5K.

But regardless, you've got the right plan of rebuilding everything to make it nice again. Looks REALLY solid.

Which brings me to your fender... There is only one manufacturer for the 71-73 fenders in Taiwan, so who you buy it from is less about quality-of-product and more about quality-of-company, including price, freight quote (truck freight is expensive), and whether they actually have it in-stock, stand behind freight-damage, etc... I'm biased, so I'll relegate that advice to other forum members.

However.... Looking at your original fender, it looks rust-free, just boogered pretty good up front. Now maybe it's just because I have a rock star PDR guy that I work with here in Ocala FL, but my PDR guy (Paintless Dent Removal) would be able to message 90% of that damage away, leaving behind some really minor (acceptable) bodywork to get it straight and in primer. I would investigate going in that direction, keeping the car 100% original metal, before bolting a repro fender to it. What the PDR guy will charge won't be any more than what you'd pay in freight alone for the new fender.

I have a gorgeous 1964 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham (really rare model) in my collection, survivor car other than one show-quality repaint. It was in our shop for service/exercise, and my guys were working on dying a leather steering wheel on a car close buy it. Yada yada, neither was wearing a mask or ventilator of any kind, the guy (260 lbs) squatting holding plastic got too much of a snoot-full, stood up, blacked out, and fell backwards into the door of the Bonneville, CAVING it in... And I mean it was caved, the full force of his back-side crashing into it. Thankfully, nobody but the car was hurt.

PDR guy pulled the cave and messaged on it to where it was easily-addressable for my body/paint guy to finish up. Normally, you'd have thought that I'd have to find a replacement door, but today the car sits looking perfect again, and no one would ever know. $200 bucks to the PDR guy.

The front door below was pushed in more than 3" deep, for a span of almost 2 feet vertical and 1.5 feet horizontal. Kinked top and bottom. At the end of the day, very minimal filler required.

Rick
NPD

View attachment 94459 View attachment 94460

I love the 64 Bonneville's! My first car was a white 64 Bonneville that my parents bought new. A drunk driver hit me head-on on a country road. The Bonneville protected me very well. No injuries, but my watch band broke. My parents bought the Bonneville back from the insurance company and gave it to me. I found a 1964 Grand Prix with a frozen engine. We transplanted the Grand Prix front end onto the Bonneville. This was before the Pontiac Grand Ville was introduced in 1971. I probable had the first Grand Ville before they were introduced. If I recall correctly, it had a 4-speed automatic. It was fast off the line with the 389 engine! I ended up selling to a friend in the 70's and he got a lot of use out of it.

rybo · Oct 21, 2024

Sheriff41 said:
Welcome Rybo, and howdy from Texas! Great story on your Mach 1 and worthy of your efforts to get it on the road again. You've come to the right place for information, encouragement, and access to many very helpful members that will share advice from their experience with these cars. Looking forward to seeing your progress and recommend you start a build thread in the Mustang Registry - Project Build Threads forum https://7173mustangs.com/discussion-forum/mustang-registry-project-build-threads.78/

Ok great thank you! Im thankful to find you all as this is my first mustang build. I have 2 builds im going to do, im starting with the Mach 1, next I'll be doing a 67 Fastback GT. I decided to start with the Mach 1 as the Fastback GT I don't want to make any mistakes, so I figured the Mach 1 is a great starter car to learn on I guess. Ill go and start a build thread so thanks for the tip, I haven't used a forum in 15 years or so, so getting re-familiar here

rybo · Oct 21, 2024

Cleveland Crush said:
Welcome rybo. Nice solid Stang you have there! What exterior color are you thinking about and what other mods may be in the works?

Hi there, Thank you! Im thinking either a White on Black (Storm trooper) or a Pepper Gray Metallic on Chrome, kind of like Eleanor's color but not real sure yet. Im going to try and keep it as stock as I can, I will upgrade to a new intake manifold, new heads and headers to allow it to breath a little better, then send out the heads, exhaust and intake manifold to be redone so I have a fresh stock set as well. I plan on going with a 18" wheel, maybe a 9 or 10" in the rear if I can fit it. I want to level it out also so probably a lowering spring in the front so I don't chop the stock springs. Other than that the interior is in great shape so just some new carpet, either fix or replace the door panels and new seat upholstery.

I think eventually I would like to do a frame off restoration but that will most likely be phase 2 after I drive it a while and im not so busy with everything else in life

rybo · Oct 21, 2024

will e said:
I have zero experience with the CJ fender, I didn't even know they existed! My gut reaction is 'no' because some aftermarket stuff is sketchy. Post up a separate thread and see if anyone has actual experience with those.

Sounds good thank you!

rybo · Oct 21, 2024

Rick@NPD said:
Congratulations! I love the car and the color combo, hope you keep that original. Looking around the interior and overall level of wear (regardless of having been relegated to a barn), I'm betting on 105K miles, not 40K or 5K.

But regardless, you've got the right plan of rebuilding everything to make it nice again. Looks REALLY solid.

Which brings me to your fender... There is only one manufacturer for the 71-73 fenders in Taiwan, so who you buy it from is less about quality-of-product and more about quality-of-company, including price, freight quote (truck freight is expensive), and whether they actually have it in-stock, stand behind freight-damage, etc... I'm biased, so I'll relegate that advice to other forum members.

However.... Looking at your original fender, it looks rust-free, just boogered pretty good up front. Now maybe it's just because I have a rock star PDR guy that I work with here in Ocala FL, but my PDR guy (Paintless Dent Removal) would be able to message 90% of that damage away, leaving behind some really minor (acceptable) bodywork to get it straight and in primer. I would investigate going in that direction, keeping the car 100% original metal, before bolting a repro fender to it. What the PDR guy will charge won't be any more than what you'd pay in freight alone for the new fender.

I have a gorgeous 1964 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham (really rare model) in my collection, survivor car other than one show-quality repaint. It was in our shop for service/exercise, and my guys were working on dying a leather steering wheel on a car close buy it. Yada yada, neither was wearing a mask or ventilator of any kind, the guy (260 lbs) squatting holding plastic got too much of a snoot-full, stood up, blacked out, and fell backwards into the door of the Bonneville, CAVING it in... And I mean it was caved, the full force of his back-side crashing into it. Thankfully, nobody but the car was hurt.

PDR guy pulled the cave and messaged on it to where it was easily-addressable for my body/paint guy to finish up. Normally, you'd have thought that I'd have to find a replacement door, but today the car sits looking perfect again, and no one would ever know. $200 bucks to the PDR guy.

The front door below was pushed in more than 3" deep, for a span of almost 2 feet vertical and 1.5 feet horizontal. Kinked top and bottom. At the end of the day, very minimal filler required.

Rick
NPD

View attachment 94459 View attachment 94460

Wow what a beautiful car! I really love the color on it! Thanks for the tip, I would 100% prefer to keep the original fender on it, as it would be the only non stock body part on the car if I replaced it. I have some PDR buddies so ill ask around and see if we can find a guy around here that can get it close enough. It just sucks it got dinged up right on the body line like that.. I appreciate the help and advice!

rybo · Oct 21, 2024

Bill Perkins said:
Welcome Abroad from Opelika, Alabama

Great story about your Grandpa's Mustang. I have several 71-73 Mustang parts for sale on my Ebay Store. I also have a Original Ford Factory LH (Driver's Side) Front Fender and two aftermarket Front Fenders for a 73 Mustang.

Hi there! Thanks, Ill check out your ebay store, do you have a link handy?

Idaho Chris · Oct 22, 2024

Welcome to the site. I look forward to following your build thread!

Stanglover · Oct 22, 2024

Hello and welcome from SW Ontario, Canada.
It's great to see younger members wanting to learn these cars and enjoy them.

Hi There! New to the group with my 1973 Mach 1

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