’71 Mach 1 Resto Project

tpj71mach · Nov 7, 2024

mjlan said:
Nothing fits like OEM, and those look nice enough. Plus you won't be paranoid about damaging them.

Looking good!

Thank you! You're right I am confident these OE panels will fit better than the reproductions would have.

I just noticed that you're in Southeast Michigan? I drove past your place on my way from Chicago to Saginaw Mi to pick these door panels up, haha.

tpj71mach · Nov 9, 2024

I installed the door panels now that I am done cleaning them up and it really makes the interior feel complete, finally. I still need to reupholster the seats over the winter but at least there aren't any major components missing anymore. I will need to get over to Eastwood and buy some SEM Landau black to paint the inside door handle cups and install them and then the door panel project will be completed.

I intended to take her for a ride today as the forecast called for no rain. After installing the door panels, I got in and hit the garage door opener, started her up. I looked in the rear view mirror only to see that it had started raining while I was in the garage working on her, maybe tomorrow, haha,

tpj71mach · Nov 11, 2024

I painted the inside door handle cups and installed them yesterday so the door panel project is officially done.

I took it out and drove it to celebrate, it rained Sunday morning early so the streets were still a little damp in some places but it was worth it. I drove 67 miles yesterday, all over and then wiped it down when I got back home. The car has crossed over the 500 miles mark since I got it running and assembled. I am hoping to get a few more miles on it before the snow starts to fly and I need to store it away for the winter. After it enters hibernation, the radio is coming out to send out for internal upgrades and then I will remove the seats and will reupholster them. By spring, I am hoping it is "done" and ready to simply drive and enjoy.

tpj71mach · Nov 13, 2024

As long as the only channel my stock radio gets clearly has switched (too early) to 24 hours Christmas, I thought it was a good time to take the radio out and have it upgraded to modern innards. I am having it upgraded to a four channel x 45W integrated amp, a sub woofer output, blue tooth, hands free, all the good stuff.

When I comes back it will still look like this

But it will sound like this, haha.

Sheriff41 · Nov 13, 2024

Who are you using for your upgrade?

tpj71mach · Nov 13, 2024

Sheriff41 said:
Who are you using for your upgrade?

I am using a guy near my house, Ralph the Radio Guy, in Bartlett IL. He works out of his house about 35 minutes from my house. I had one of my other radios upgraded a few years back with Aurora Design components and was very happy with the results. I reached out to the company that did my other radio and they told me that they were backed up and were over 10 months out. I looked at the Aurora Design website and Ralph was listed as one of their certified dealers. I called and spoke with him a few times and got a good feeling about him. He said I could drop off the radio at his house to save the shipping cost and see his operation. He told me that when it is completed in 5-6 weeks when I can pick it up and he will hook it up on his work bench and show me how it works and sync my phone to show it all works before I pay.