1971 M-code 4 speed convertible project with Ram air on E bay

[classicsguy]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-Ford-Mustang/233316690410?hash=item3652c229ea:g:mM4AAOSwDJFdWaZ-

 

[7173Vert]

Big job...

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

Best bet is to switch VIN# to other car but none of the date codes in the sheet metal will match to 71. I think more of a parts car than anything. Another one of those that rare does not make it valuable.

 

[Hemikiller]

Pretty typical of what a Northeast car looks like after 50 years. Hate to say it, but I've junked better condition vehicles, but that was before the prices went through the roof.

Someone will buy the lot and do exactly what David noted, even though it's illegal as all heck.

 

[87fox72mach]

i think for 3k its worth it but not much more drivetrain worth atleast 1800? car looks fixable but would take a lot

 

[6972boss]

Switching vins is a FELONY!!  Guaranteed prison time!! Even David should know this. everthing on this 71 is repairable, just takes time and money! How much do you have?

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

Felony only if you get caught. It happens all the time for sure. They sell titles at the swap meets here and the DOT guys are present and never seen anyone get in trouble. It is just replacing lots of sheet metal the opposite way. Move the number not the metal, lol.

 

[kevken1959]

So another two cars saved from the crusher and added to my long list of projects. They came in this week. The M code, Ram Air, 4 speed, power window car is restorable. All numbers matching drivetrain. I'll get to it one day (maybe when I retire, lol)!

 

[Hemikiller]

So another two cars saved from the crusher and added to my long list of projects. They came in this week. The M code, Ram Air, 4 speed, power window car is restorable. All numbers matching drivetrain. I'll get to it one day (maybe when I retire, lol)!

Sweet!

 

[kcmash]

Felony only if you get caught. It happens all the time for sure. They sell titles at the swap meets here and the DOT guys are present and never seen anyone get in trouble. It is just replacing lots of sheet metal the opposite way. Move the number not the metal, lol.

I have always wondered about this.

If I find a burned out Boss 351 that has the whole rear and roof melted from the fire, rusted out floor pans and fender aprons but all original parts there  I have 2 options.

1) Buy a Dynacorn body, switch all the Boss parts to the new metal, along with the VIN, and title the car. --Per the comment above, that is a felony.

2) I buy that same Dynacorn body, or other donor sheet metal and drill out every spot weld on the damaged/burned out boss and meticulously replace all metal on the body around the VIN that is still on the burned/ rusted frame.  -That is perfectly legal because I restored the car?

My point is one is simply welding the VIN into the new sheet metal, the other is welding new sheet metal around the VIN.  How come one is a Felony and the other is a success story?

kcmash

 

[kevken1959]

Felony only if you get caught. It happens all the time for sure. They sell titles at the swap meets here and the DOT guys are present and never seen anyone get in trouble. It is just replacing lots of sheet metal the opposite way. Move the number not the metal, lol.

I have always wondered about this.

If I find a burned out Boss 351 that has the whole rear and roof melted from the fire, rusted out floor pans and fender aprons but all original parts there  I have 2 options.

1) Buy a Dynacorn body, switch all the Boss parts to the new metal, along with the VIN, and title the car. --Per the comment above, that is a felony.

2) I buy that same Dynacorn body, or other donor sheet metal and drill out every spot weld on the damaged/burned out boss and meticulously replace all metal on the body around the VIN that is still on the burned/ rusted frame.  -That is perfectly legal because I restored the car?

My point is one is simply welding the VIN into the new sheet metal, the other is welding new sheet metal around the VIN.  How come one is a Felony and the other is a success story?

kcmash

Really good point kcmash. I too have often struggled with that same question in my desire to keep a piece of history on the streets. It seems that most of the rarest cars all went up north and were destroyed by salt and corrosion. And what really is the "life blood" of a car? The motor? The VIN plate? The shock tower numbers? The door data tag? The Eminger sheet? Proof of legal ownership? Some combination of those things? After almost 50 years, how many cars survive with all those things intact? Too bad we all don't just have a rich uncle to leave us a car like that!

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

Just do it and make it a great job. I personally know that a local shop had to leave as some special crew came in to alter a GM car to make it special. I happens all the time if done right cannot be detected. Just replacing panels not faking a number you have the number.

 

[kevken1959]

Just do it and make it a great job. I personally know that a local shop had to leave as some special crew came in to alter a GM car to make it special. I happens all the time if done right cannot be detected. Just replacing panels not faking a number you have the number.

::thumb::

 

[kevken1959]

So this is a follow up to an old post. I wish I could produce the ebay ad for this car but it was too old. I bought this car a while back and wanted to show some of the metal work being done on the car. My metal guy is very good. I am trying to show that pretty much any rusty car can be restored, and this is the way to do it. I'm sure it would have been a lot cheaper to rebody the car, but I'm getting a real sense of enjoyment in seeing the car come together. I have lots of pictures from when I got it, and how far it has come. The new rear frame rails came in today at a cost of $1,100 with tax and shipping. Ouch! Despite how rough the car looked, there is a lot to like about it. Although it has rust, it is arrow straight and has never been wrecked. Incredibly, the rain gutter for the top and the trunk lid had no rust through. There's enough solid metal here and there to work with. The car will be blasted and primed before the various fabricated metal pieces are welded in, then sanded and primed again with epoxy primer. The entire born with drivetrain has already been completely rebuilt with the best of everything. The parts for the front torque boxes are not available reproduction, so they had to be fabricated. It's going to get a new one piece floor built just for a 71-73 with the correct ribbing, new inner rockers, a new trunk floor, new full rear quarter panels, and a mint original Ram Air hood with all the hardware and the hood locks. The car is loaded with rare options. I'll keep everybody updated.

 

[kevken1959]

More before pictures

 

[moparbrian]

I am not sure what is more amazing, such a great optioned convertible or the convertibles hanging from the ceiling of that shop

 

[71ProjectJunk]

More before pictures

I am starting to think that you are the messiah of old rusty but very rare old 71-73 Mustangs. You have come to earth to save these vehicles before they are taken by the devil of rust and decay. Good job!

 

[timachone]

Great, you saved one more! This would be my dream convertible in this configuration. Does it have a limited slip, too? It's not looking too bad, it's doable with some body work experience. Hope you and your body man will get by in time to bring it back on the streets soon. As I know you have a whole herd of ponys...

 

[kevken1959]

Now the tear down and metal work

 

[mjlan]

Interesting for sure, thanks for updating the story.

I have a hard enough time keeping parts from two cars separated, I don't know how you can keep track of that many disassembled cars!