’71 Mach 1 Resto Project

[tpj71mach]

I just bought this '71 Mach 1 in November in Vegas and shipped it back to the Chicago area. I was just informed about and joined this forum today. I am going to restore this Mustang to my tastes rather than to original. I had a white and black '73 as a high schooler and I am thinking I might paint this '71 white with black stripes and a black interior as well. When I bought it, it was Grabber Blue with a black and silver interior but it was obviously originally dark green with a green interior and the Marti report confirms that. That being said, I am just not a green guy, and my '73 was white and that is why I am planning on painting this '71 Wimbledon White with black stripes and interior. Although, I really do like the Grabber Blue also, maybe with black stripes though, we will see.



this is how I bought it in Vegas



Arrived right before thanksgiving



Pressure washed the engine compartment




Disassembled and ready for the media blaster



back from media blast and epoxy primered inside and out



overall looks pretty solid




But it is going to need the taillight panel and trunk floor replaced




and some patch work under the rear seat

otherwise I was very happy with what was under the paint. I think it is a good starting point.

This is how it sits today not bad progress for about two months in to the project but this is where it will slow down for me. I am a better disassembler than I am a welder or body man. I will add new pictures as I make more progress.

 

[tpj71mach]

I forgot to post the pictures of the body panels

 

[Sheriff41]

Howdy and welcome from Texas! Looks like a great start and progress. You're right to build it the way you want it.

 

[Idaho Chris]

Welcome from North Idaho! I'm glad you decided to come over here and join. I look forward to watching your progress!

[I'm the guy that referred you to this forum from VMF; - "Idaho Chris" over there too]

 

[tpj71mach]

Welcome from North Idaho! I'm glad you decided to come over here and join. I look forward to watching your progress!

[I'm the guy that referred you to this forum from VMF; - "Idaho Chris" over there too]

Thanks for the referral

 

[tpj71mach]

Howdy and welcome from Texas! Looks like a great start and progress. You're right to build it the way you want it.

Thanks

 

[tpj71mach]

The 351C 4V engine is at the machine shop now and they inspected and magna-fluxed it a nd there are no cracks or issues so hopefully it will be an uneventful build.

 

[timachone]

Welcome from Germany!

Nice and solid car to start with, congratulations. The sheet metal you mentioned is not hard to handle and a straight go through for any experienced body guy.

Keep us up to date

 

[dhvidston]

Great Start! I say... since the car has gone thru one color change already, go for it and make it yours.. you will enjoy
it a lot more reliving your HS days! Btw... noticed a space saver spare bracket and AC sticker... are those going back in the Mustang?

Keep us posted friend

 

[tpj71mach]

Great Start! I say... since the car has gone thru one color change already, go for it and make it yours.. you will enjoy
it a lot more reliving your HS days! Btw... noticed a space saver spare bracket and AC sticker... are those going back in the Mustang?

Keep us posted friend

Thanks, I will enjoy it in the Wimbledon White, and yes I plan to reinstall the A/C maybe not right away but I am replacing the evaporator core now with the heater core when I rebuild the heater box so I wont have to take it apart again later. The space saver bracket is heavily rusted and so are the brackets for the trap door rubber bushings I will need to fabricate new ones because I don't see any one that makes a reproduction part.

 

[tpj71mach]

Great Start! I say... since the car has gone thru one color change already, go for it and make it yours.. you will enjoy
it a lot more reliving your HS days! Btw... noticed a space saver spare bracket and AC sticker... are those going back in the Mustang?

Keep us posted friend

Welcome from Germany!

Nice and solid car to start with, congratulations. The sheet metal you mentioned is not hard to handle and a straight go through for any experienced body guy.

Keep us up to date

will do thanks

 

[71ProjectJunk]

Looking great!

 

[tpj71mach]

Looking great!

Thanks, a long way to go but a good start I think

 

[tpj71mach]

Got the dash carrier and glove box painted and disassembled steering column and horn pad and painted and reassembled them.

 

[tpj71mach]

Right front apron needs to be replaced due to minor accident somewhere in its past mangled it up.



A little more pre fitting and I can start welding

 

[jpaz]

Looking good. Great work and welcome to the site from Michigan!

 

[Stanglover]

Hello and welcome from SW Ontario, Canada.
That really looks like a good find with not too much rot to repair. Nice you have a good shop to work in too, I'm jealous!
Keep up the good work and don't be afraid to ask questions.

 

[tpj71mach]

Looking good. Great work and welcome to the site from Michigan!

Thanks!

 

[tpj71mach]

Hello and welcome from SW Ontario, Canada.
That really looks like a good find with not too much rot to repair. Nice you have a good shop to work in too, I'm jealous!
Keep up the good work and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Thank you

 

[71ProjectJunk]

I have rust under the battery tray, a nice hole in there. I just want to weld a patch in there, what you did was the right way to do it, but boy what a pain in the arse job that is.